The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, or T2DM, can enjoy a variety of foods. You should limit some foods, however, because they can lead to diabetic complications when consumed in excess.
The key to managing T2DM is to focus on foods that support a normal blood sugar and healthy weight, promote general health and do not lead to diabetic complications.
Added Sugar
Sugar causes the blood sugar to rise, so type 2 diabetics with consistently high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) may experience complications like vision problems, nerve damage, foot ulcers, skin disorders and kidney disease.
Sugary foods are okay on occasion, but you should limit them, because in addition to raising blood sugar, they are also high in calories and lack essential nutrients. Nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins are more nutritious, as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which prevent disease and benefit general health.
Sugar substitutes like aspartame (Equal) and sucralose (Splenda) can replace sugar because they do not raise blood sugar and are a low-calorie food.
Fat and Calories
An article printed in 2010 in Diabetes Educator, a publication of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, reported that a plant-based, low-fat diet helped patients with T2DM control blood sugar.
Fat is high in calories and should be limited because excess calories lead to obesity, which increases the risk of diabetic complications such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, asthma and arthritis.
The ADA recommends a moderate intake of unsaturated fat from olive oil, vegetable oils, avocado, fish and nuts, while limiting saturated and trans-fats like hydrogenated oils, which raise cholesterol.
The ADA also advises type 2 diabetics to cut back on snacks and desserts high in calories and fats, and to instead choose low-fat dairy products and lean meats, cook with little or no butter or oil, and reduce portion sizes when dining out.
Starchy Vegetables
Starchy vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that benefit health, but they also have natural sugars that raise blood sugar. Peas, corn, potatoes, winter squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes all need to be portioned carefully and should be counted as a carbohydrate instead of a vegetable.
Alcohol
A 2004 study in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews found that healthy individuals and those with T2DM benefited from moderate alcohol consumption. Excess intake affects blood sugar without benefiting health.
The ADA advocates drinking alcohol only if blood sugars are well controlled and to limit it to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. Alcohol should also be taken with food and water to avoid dramatic changes in blood sugar.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Food & Fitness
- American Diabetes Association: What Can I Eat
- "Diabetes Education"; A Plant-Based Diet for Type 2 Diabetes: Scientific Support and Practical sSrategies; C Trapp, N Barnard, H Katcher; January/February 2010
- "Diabetes/Metabolism Research & Reviews"; Diabetes mellitus and alcohol; A van de Weil; July 2004
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: What I need to know about Eating and Diabetes
