Diabetes is a disease characterized by elevated blood sugars due to an inability to make insulin or properly use insulin, according to the American Diabetes Association. It can affect both children and adults and treatment usually involves medication and lifestyle changes, namely diet. There are a number of different diets a person with diabetes can follow. Consult with a physician to discuss the most appropriate diet plan.
Carbohydrate Counting
Foods containing carbohydrates, including all starches, fruits and milks cause blood sugars to elevate. Controlling the amount of carbohydrates consumed at meals can help control blood sugar, according to the American Diabetes Association. People with diabetes who follow a carbohydrate counting diet eat a specified number of grams of carbohydrates at each meal. Food labels and general serving sizes are used to help the diabetic count carbohydrate grams. Protein foods, such as meat and cheese, and fats, such as margarine and oil do not contain carbohydrate but should be consumed at each meal for balance, suggests the American Diabetes Association.
Diabetes Exchange Diet
The diabetes exchange diet is a more structured meal plan than the carbohydrate counting diet. It provides specific serving recommendations from each food group. Food groups include starches, fruits, milks, vegetables, meats and fats. The specified serving size within each food group provides the same amount of calories and carbohydrate, and foods within each group can be "exchanged" for one another. For example 1 slice of bread can be exchanged for 5 crackers or 1/2 of an English muffin. Serving suggestions are based on a person's calorie and weight goals. A doctor or dietitian can help determine the appropriate number of servings to have from each group.
Glyecemic Index Diet
The glycemic index diet also helps the person with diabetes control carbohydrate intake. It ranks food, specifically carbohydrate containing foods, on how they effect blood sugar. Foods with a high glycemic index cause a more rapid rise in blood sugar than foods with a low glyemic index. People with diabetes are encouraged to choose more low glycemic index foods to help prevent blood sugar spikes. Foods with a low glyecemic index include pumpernickel bread, spaghetti and oranges. High glycemic index foods include corn flakes, whole wheat bread and watermelon. The American Diabetes Association says people can eat high glycemic foods if consumed with a low glycemic index food.
