The strawberry cheesecake is calling your name. But you have diabetes, so you're afraid of what it might do to your blood sugar levels -- and your waistline. To bite or not to bite?

"On special occasions, don't deprive yourself," says David J. Piatok, MD, an endocrinologist at Central Montgomery Medical Center. "Reward yourself if you really want that small sliver of pie, but remember to compensate for those calories and grams of fat elsewhere in your diet."

Consuming densely concentrated sweets on a regular, or even weekly, basis is a no-no for people with diabetes, but on rare occasions, it is okay to indulge. Dr. Piatok says the key to managing the disease lies in making smart choices about what you eat and limiting portion size.

What's on Your Plate?

David J. Piatok, MD

The American Diabetes Association advocates eating multiple small meals each day from the six major food groups: breads, grains and other starches; fruits; vegetables; milk; meat, meat substitutes and other proteins; and fats, oils and sweets.

Your physician or dietitian can advise you about the total number of calories you should consume daily. Dieters and women tend to require fewer calories, a minimum of 1,600, while men may consume up to 2,800 calories a day.

Carbs, Calories Count
Dr. Piatok says people with diabetes and no incidence of liver or kidney disease should divide their plates into proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vegetables. Vegetables should be plentiful, and carbohydrates (starches) should stay on the slim side.

Since different foods have varying effects on blood sugar -- and this differs from person to person -- consult with your physician or dietitian before introducing a new food into your diet or starting a new meal plan.

But, every once in a while, go ahead and take that tiny piece of cheesecake -- you've earned it.

For more diabetes dos and don'ts, please call Dr. Piatok at 215-997-3220.

Central Montgomery Medical Center 100 Medical Campus Drive, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-368-2100 | FAX 215-361-4933