Diabetics must follow specific dietary guidelines to control the disease. It can be difficult to follow these guidelines without the assistance of a dietitian or diabetes educator, who can provide you with an individualized meal plan based on your calorie needs. A 2,000-calorie diet is appropriate for most adult males and active females.
Why Do Diabetics Need To Follow a Special Diet?
Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to process foods or cells don't respond to insulin. Insulin is required to use and store carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body; without enough insulin, diabetics end up with high concentrations of glucose or sugar in their blood. Meals and snacks must be spread out throughout the day, about every four hours, to avoid low blood sugar. Three meals and two snacks daily are ideal.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the body's main source of fuel. They are found in any food containing starch or sugar, including grain products, milk, yogurt, fruits and certain vegetables.
On a 2,000 calorie diet, you need about 16 carbohydrate servings daily. Aim for four servings per meal and two servings per snack. Have all the servings from the same food, or mix them up. For example, with dinner have one cup of mashed potatoes and two slices of bread, or a whole baked potato.
Proteins and Fats
Carbohydrates must always be eaten with proteins and/or fats to avoid sudden increases in blood sugar levels. Proteins are generally found in animal-based foods.
On a 2,000 calorie diet, you need about 18 servings of protein daily. Aim for five servings per meal, four at breakfast, and two servings with each snack.
Most dietary fats come from butter, oils, and foods containing those ingredients. There are good, unsaturated fats and bad, saturated fats, and the majority of the fats you eat should be unsaturated to promote heart health.
Aim for nine to 10 servings total of unsaturated fats daily. This works out to two servings per meal, and one to two servings per snack.
Avoid saturated fats if at all possible; if you do eat them, limit them to no more than one serving daily.
Additional Tips
Eat at least three servings of vegetables daily to add fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your diet.
Read nutrition labels to look for hidden sugars.
Avoid high-sugar desserts such as cakes, pies and cookies.
Be wary of sugar-free desserts. They still contain carbohydrates.
Check blood sugar levels before each meal and before bed.
There is no substitution for working with a dietitian and/or diabetes educator. Contact your local hospital or diabetes institute to find one in your area.
References
- American Dietetic Association Nutrition Care Manual
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy, 11th Edition"; L. Kathleen Mahan, MS, RD, CDE, and Sylvia Escott-Stump, MA, RD, LDN; 2004
- "Choose Your Foods: Exchange Lists for Diabetes"; American Diabetes Association/American Dietetic Association; 2009
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