Diabetes is a group of diseases that affects how the body uses glucose, the main source of energy for the body. Hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar, occurs when the body cannot utilize insulin or has too little insulin. Carbohydrate intake greatly affects blood sugar levels in diabetics. Typically, hyperglycemia is treated with oral medication or insulin injections. However, it is possible to reduce blood sugar levels by making diet changes.
Step 1
Contact a registered dietitian to discuss the various ways to alter your diet to manage blood sugar levels. Be sure to bring a list of recorded blood sugar levels throughout the day to allow for appropriate carbohydrate allocation.
Step 2
Monitor serving sizes. It is important to be aware of how much food you take in, especially the amount of carbohydrates, which break down into glucose, or blood sugar.
Step 3
Create a meal routine. Consistency among meals and snacks throughout the day helps to level off blood sugar. The Mayo Clinic recommends a diet consisting of 45 to 65 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 15 to 20 percent of calories from protein and 20 to 35 percent of calories from fat.
Step 4
Familiarize yourself with the Diabetic Exchange System, which categorizes foods as starches, fruits, vegetables, meats, meat substitutes and fats. One exchange equals one carbohydrate serving and will affect blood sugar similarly. A dietitian can help develop a meal plan based on how many exchanges you should eat per meal per day.
Step 5
Work with a dietitian to learn how to count carbohydrates if the Exchange System does not work for you. Typically, a day is broken down into carbohydrate servings of 45 to 60 g per meal and 15 to 30 g per snack. One serving of carbohydrates is equal to about 15 g, and examples include one slice of white bread, 1 small piece of fresh fruit or 8 oz. of milk.
Step 6
Make healthy food choices beyond carbohydrate intake. Incorporate foods such as beans, legumes, lean meat, poultry and fish, nonfat dairy and vegetable oils into your diet, along with whole grains, fruits and nonstarchy vegetables.
Step 7
Limit intake of high fat foods such as ice cream, cookies, cakes and fried foods. These contain high amounts of sugar in addition to saturated fat and trans fat, which can contribute to weight gain and increased glucose levels.
Step 8
Choose foods that are high in fiber. According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, fiber does not raise blood glucose levels because it is not digested by the body. Foods containing fiber include whole grain breads, pasta and cereals, fruits and vegetables.
Tips and Warnings
- Physical activity often helps to reduce blood sugar levels. It is important to check blood sugar before and after exercising. Discuss exercise with a physician prior to starting a new regimen.
- It is important to work with a health care professional prior to beginning a new diet. Diabetes is a major disease that can lead to serious complications without proper medical treatment. Contact your physician with any questions that may arise.
