Diabetes affects the pancreas' ability to produce insulin. Insulin helps lower blood sugar levels. Following a healthy diet helps reduce dependence of insulin in diabetic patients. There are three types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin and need injections to manage blood sugar. Insulin in type 2 diabetics does not work well, so they may need pills or injections. Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy because of hormonal changes.
Features
A simple diabetic diet contains choices from each food group. Foods from grains, milk, fruit, vegetables, meat and fats are included. The diet aims to help control blood sugar levels. You eat small meals and snacks throughout the day to help control blood sugar. Smaller portion sizes contain fewer carbohydrates. Carbohydrates raise blood sugar after consumption. Keeping meal and snack times consistent also helps control blood sugar levels on the diet.
Benefits
A simple diabetic diet provides a variety of foods. You do not have to eliminate favorite foods. A simple diabetic diet includes essential vitamins and minerals required for good health. You can also lose weight on the diet. Small meals and snacks during the day keeps you full. This reduces food cravings, which causes you to eat less.
Types
Four meal planning methods for a diabetic diet include the plate method, food guide pyramid, exchange lists and carbohydrate counting.
The plate method utilizes portion control. Starches fill half the plate and meat or non-meat protein uses a fourth of the plate for breakfast. The lunch and dinner plates includes one half vegetables, one fourth starch and one fourth meat or non-meat protein. You can include a serving of fruit or milk with each plate.
The food guide pyramid includes food from each group. Food groups include grains, vegetables, meats and beans, fruit, milk and oils. Servings from each group vary depending on age, gender and physical activity level.
The exchange system breaks down servings of food into carbohydrates, protein and fat grams. A fruit exchange, such as a small apple, contain 15 grams of carbohydrates. A serving of milk contains 12 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of protein and 0 to 3 grams of fat.
Carbohydrate counting compares to the exchange list. However, you only keep track of carbohydrate servings from starches, fruit, starchy vegetables and milk groups. A small fruit or 8 ounce glass of milk constitutes as a choice. Each choice contains 15 grams of carbohydrates. Carbohydrate choices vary.
Considerations
Management of diabetes should include physical activity in addition to diet. Insulin works better after physical activity. You should stay active to help regulate blood sugar levels. A universal diet for diabetes does not exist. Develop a meal plan with a dietitian's help to determine your personal nutrient needs. Monitor fat intake. Anderson, Kendall, Perryman and Prior from the Colorado State University Extension indicate that cardiovascular disease and stroke effect diabetics twice as often as others. Limit saturated fats in the diet.
Warnings
Do no exclude carbohydrates if you have diabetes. The body utilizes carbohydrates for energy. Excluding carbohydrates can drop blood sugar levels to dangerously low levels. Exercise uses carbohydrates as a source of energy. Eat a carbohydrate-rich snack after exercise to replace lost carbohydrates.
