It is an easy enough matter to stick to any diet for a short time but when you are faced with sticking to a life-long diabetic diet you will discover that there are various barriers that will obstruct you in your efforts. The key therefore to starting a diabetic diet is to understand just what the barriers are and to concentrate your mind on the benefits of your diabetes diet.

The type of barriers which you could well encounter include:

* Culture. Food is considerably than mere sustenance and for many of us it is also a cultural expression. Fortunately, there are a variety of different ways to prepare food and you will discover that there are a number of first rate diabetic cookbooks which focus on food from particular cultures.

* Family. Family members may find it difficult to adjust to a different diet and they may not be too happy with your 'alternative' macaroni cheese. Here the best policy is to simply get the family together and talk about your diabetes and just what it means in terms of your diet. In the vast majority of cases your family will be very supportive once they understand your position.

* Cost. Purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables is not cheap, especially when you have to buy imported 'out of season' produce. But remember that, as you increase your intake of vegetables and fresh fruit, you are also cutting back on expensive convenience foods and snack items such as potato chips, so that the two will tend to even out.

* Social Pressure. Bringing your family on board should be fairly simple but it may not be quite so simple to bring others on board. Of course it should be easy enough to inform your close friends and extended family about your dietary needs and help to avoid problems at dinner parties and other gatherings at which food is served, but there are inevitably going to be occasions when you find yourself in a social setting and are tempted to try a piece of home-made cake.

Here it is a case of planning ahead and working out exactly what you are going to do in advance of the event. You could decide for instance to have a small piece of cake and merely adjust your diet for the rest of that day to compensate. Another option might be to choose to eat before going out or to take your own favorite snack along, plus a little bit extra for others to try.

However you elect to deal with these barriers, they will need to be faced and overcome. This should not be too difficult with a little bit of thought and effort, but you will also find it helpful to focus your mind on some of the benefits of sticking to your diabetic diet:

* Lessen your risk from low blood sugar levels. We tend to think of diabetes in terms of high blood sugar levels but many diabetics also experience the problems associated with low blood sugar levels, such as, dizziness, sweating, weakness and irritability, and may even fall into a diabetic coma. Your diabetic diet will assist in maintaining a regular pattern of eating that will lower this risk significantly.

* Feeling better. If you do not stick to your diet there is a very good possibility that you will overeat, and eat the wrong food, raising your blood sugar level and making you tired and generally unwell. With your diabetic diet however you will feel a lot healthier.

* Better weight control. With your diabetic diet you will avoid overeating and eating food that is likely to cause weight gain, permitting you to keep your figure and reducing the risk of developing other health problems such as heart disease and stroke.

With the correct diabetic diet, as well as a little bit of exercise, you will discover that you can keep your diabetes under control and enjoy a full and normal life.