Diabetes, a chronic disorder marked by high blood glucose, involves either not enough insulin or insulin that the body cannot use effectively. A healthy diet for diabetes patients tells how much and what kinds of food to choose for meals and snacks. It needs to fit into the lifestyle, schedule and eating habits to help improve blood glucose levels and meet other individual health goals.
Type 1 Identification
Persons with Type 1 diabetes depend on insulin injections because the beta cells of the pancreas fail to make the insulin hormone. So a healthy diet for Type 1 diabetics needs to work in concert with injected insulin. Nutritional management for Type 1 diabetics balances nutrients, timing of intake and amount of food to synchronize with the action of long-term or rapid-acting injected insulin.
Type 2 Identification
In Type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced but is ineffective at lowering blood glucose because of difficulty getting into the cells. Of the adults in the United States with diabetes, about 90 percent are obese. So a healthy diet for Type 2 diabetes patients restricts calories to promote moderate weight loss, spreads nutrient intake throughout the day and is based on nutrition education for better food choices, according to Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump in "Krause's Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy."
Function
Nutrition therapy provides optimal nutrition status, controls blood glucose and helps achieve normal blood lipid levels. The diet also helps to control blood pressure and prevent or treat diabetes complications. In addition to basic nutrients, the diet must ensure a consistent level of carbohydrate intake throughout the day to keep blood glucose levels fairly constant. Diabetes requires careful attention to coordinate diet, physical activity and any prescribed insulin.
Diet Components
People with diabetes do not need special foods. Good health depends on choosing the appropriate amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat and selecting foods that provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and water. Food choices include vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, milk, meat or meat substitutes and a small amount of fat and sugar. The number of servings and serving sizes depends on the number of calories needed based on age, sex, size and level of physical activity.
Diet Planning
Methods for planning a healthy diet include the Food Guide Pyramid, the Create Your Plate method and carb counting, according to the American Diabetes Association. Choose a method and work with a dietitian to create a personalized meal plan that balances food, medication and physical activity to improve overall health and prevent complications such as heart disease and cancer.
References
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy, 10th Edition"; L. Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump; 2000
- USDA: MyPyramid
- American Diabetes Association: Create Your Plate
- American Diabetes Association: Carb Counting
- "Understanding Nutrition, Ninth Edition"; Eleanor Noss Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes; 2002
