A well-balanced diet is important in maintaining diabetes. A well-rounded diabetic diet is comprised of whole grains, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, legumes and healthy oils. Diabetics can manage their blood sugar through diet and/or medication. The 1,800-calorie American Diabetes Association (ADA) diet was designed to assist in blood glucose control by eating healthy foods.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrate intake is a main component in affecting blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. Glucose comes from foods rich in carbohydrates, such as grains, fruits, vegetables and sweets. It is the main source of energy for the body. Normally, blood sugar levels rise and fall slightly after eating. This causes the pancreas to release the hormone insulin, which regulates elevated blood sugar. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or the cells do not respond to insulin. This results in excess glucose in the bloodstream, which overflows into urine, leaving the body without enough glucose for energy. Thus, monitoring carbohydrate intake is important.
Carbohydrate Counting
The ADA recommends 45 to 60g of carbohydrates per meal. Nutrition labels detail the amount of carbohydrate per serving in foods. It is important to read the total carbohydrate level and the serving size when counting carbohydrates. For example, if one serving from a loaf of bread is one slice, then for each additional serving (or slice) the carbohydrate amount doubles. This is especially true for bottled beverages, which are often have more than one serving per bottle.
Exchange System
Some diabetics choose to use the exchange system instead of counting carbohydrates. According to the Mayo Clinic, the exchange system groups foods into categories, such as starches, fruits, meats and fats. Exchanges are used to incorporate the appropriate amount of carbohydrates into a diabetic diet. Exchange lists detail categories of food and specify the number of carbohydrate servings each food contains. One starch, fruit or other carbohydrate exchange has 15g carbohydrate. One vegetable exchange contains 5g carbohydrate. One milk exchange has 12g carbohydrate. One meat or fat exchange does not contain carbohydrates.
1,800-Calorie Diet
A doctor or dietitian will determine the calorie level of a diet depending on the person's weight and height. A 1,800-calorie diet divides carbohydrates between three meals. The Mayo Clinic recommends carbohydrate intake be between 45 and 65 percent of total calories, or 810 and 1,170 calories. One carbohydrate has 4 calories per gram (g), making total carbohydrate intake between 200g and 300g. Division of carbohydrates is a personal choice. Some people choose to include snacks as well. Provided the carbohydrates add up at the end of the day, division does not make a difference.
Healthy Diet
A well-rounded 1,800-calorie diet can help to manage diabetes. It is important to keep portion sizes in mind when eating every meal. Divide a plate into quarters, filling half with vegetables, one quarter with protein and one quarter with carbohydrates. Look for lean protein sources, such as poultry or fish. Choose whole grains, like whole wheat bread, oatmeal or brown rice. Lastly, use fat sparingly. Choose unsaturated oils, such as olive or canola.
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