Diabetics are often told at their initial diagnosis that in order to prevent the onset of blindness, nerve dysfunction, and kidney failure, they need to cut out excess sugar from their diet. However, this might be difficult when many of the foods and beverages we consume on a daily basis are loaded with added sugar. Changing one’s diet may seem daunting and undoable, but in truth, a few key adjustments may lead to extra months and years of healthy, comfortable living.

Tips for your diet in general:

• Spread your meals out throughout the day, and whenever possible, avoid food or beverages with added sugar (sweets, soda, sports drinks).

Tips for the main food groups:

• Fruits: If you have a sweet tooth, satisfy it with some fruit. It is true that fruits have sugar, but they also deliver essential vitamins and nutrients—not just empty calories.
• Vegetables: Healthier alternatives for preparing vegetables include steaming, boiling, or lightly grilling with canola or vegetable oil instead of frying with butter.
• Dairy: Try consuming milk with 1% less fat than what you usually drink. You might be surprised to discover that they don’t taste all that different, and it will save you the extra calories and fat.
• Grains: Most dietary guidelines recommend that whole grains be 50% of the grains you eat on a daily basis. Search the shelves at the supermarket for whole grain bread or snacks, or try ordering whole grain pasta the next time you are out to eat.

Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico and the rest of the staff at Syracuse Podiatry hope that you are able to see that maintaining a healthy diet does not have to involve huge sacrifices of entire food groups. Dr. D’Amico’s interest in diabetic foot care has lead him to develop the best methods for treating deformities like ulcers, gangrene, or athlete’s foot. If you would like to discuss your diabetes or any other foot and ankle ailments with Dr. D’Amico, call our Fayetteville office at (315) 446-3668 or contact us!