The body uses glucose as its main energy source, and when it can no longer properly utilize or store this energy, symptoms occur that will lead to a diagnosis of diabetes. Controlling blood sugar levels can be a challenge for some people, but armed with the correct information, those who are willing to persist can do it. Medical Nutrition Therapy, or MNT, for diabetes is the term used to refer to a diet created for diabetics, with blood sugar control as the goal, but the staff at the Mayo Clinic thinks this diet would benefit everyone. Blood glucose levels will rise after eating, but should return to normal levels one to two hours after the meal. To successfully control blood sugar with diet, you must know what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat, and make wise food choices.
Step 1
Choose a blood glucose target level with your doctor's help. The acceptable range varies, but for most diabetics, the range is between 90 and 130 mg/dL after an eight-hour fast, between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals and lower than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after meals.
Step 2
Learn which foods to eat and which to avoid. Choose healthier carbs, which include fruit, legumes, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains. Most of these foods are high in fiber, which lowers blood sugar. Add fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna, to your list. Nuts and avocados have unsaturated fats and should form a limited part of your diet. Avoid processed foods, which have trans fats, and limit high fat meats and dairy products, which have cholesterol and saturated fats.
Step 3
Plan how much of each type of food to have at each meal.
The Diabetes Food Pyramid from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases groups foods by their content and gives you an idea of how much of each category to include in your meals. The starches are at the bottom, fruits and vegetables above, then meats, meat substitutes and dairy, and finally fats and sweets at the very top. The recommendation is to eat more of the foods at the bottom of the pyramid, and less at the top, but including each group in each meal.
Step 4
Record how many servings of each food group you should have at each meal and the times you have set to eat your meals.
Step 5
Check you blood sugar regularly to monitor your progress.
Tips and Warnings
- MNT for diabetics is built on the premise of eating nutritious foods in the right amounts at regular intervals, so pick your meal times, stick with them and use the food pyramid to add variety to your meals as you create your menus. Carbs will have the most impact on your blood sugar, so pay special attention to your portions.
- You might need to work with a health professional to figure out how many servings of each food group are right for your condition and level of physical activity.
Things You'll Need
- Blood glucose monitor
References
- Canadian Diabetes Association: Tips For Healthy Eating, Diabetes Management and Prevention
- Mayo Clinic: Diabetes Diet--Create Your Healthy-eating Plan
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: What I Need To Know About Eating and Diabetes
- Mayo Clinic: Blood Sugar Testing--Why, When and How
