What Are The Benefits Of Healthful Eating For The Diabetic?

If you are a diabetic, your diet can have a tremendous impact on your health and energy levels, says exercise physiologist Bob Greene, Dr. John J. Merendino Jr., and Dr. Janis Jibran in the book "The Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes." Diabetes, a disease that occurs when the body can't control glucose levels in the blood, is managed by a combination of diet, exercise and medication. Eating a healthy diet is not only beneficial if you have diabetes; it could potentially save your life.

Weight Control

Eating a healthy diet will help you control your weight--a key factor in successfully managing diabetes. Eating too much food, especially foods high in fat, causes blood glucose levels to spike. A spike in blood glucose levels can cause heart damage and other serious health complications in diabetics. Losing weight can have a dramatic impact on your blood glucose levels, in some cases even bringing the levels down to normal.

Prevent Blood Sugar Fluctuations

Dramatic fluctuations in blood glucose levels account for many of the serious health problems associated with diabetes, such as stroke, kidney disease and nerve damage. The American Diabetes Association says that diabetics should keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible, avoiding highs and lows to prevent diabetes-related complications. According to Dr. Franklin House and Dr. Stuart A. Seale in the book, "The 30-Day Diabetes Miracle" eating a healthy high-fiber, preferably plant-based, diet is the most beneficial way to normalize blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. High-fiber foods slow down how fast your body absorbs glucose and help prevent dramatic spikes in blood sugar. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor if a high-fiber diet is right for you.

Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, your risk of stroke or heart disease doubles if you have diabetes. To prevent heart attack and stroke, it is important to eat a healthy diet. Consume a variety of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and limit your cholesterol to 300mg a day. Stay away from saturated fats like butter and tropical oils, and avoid foods containing trans fats, which raise your blood cholesterol levels.

Hypoglycemia

If you are a diabetic, consuming cakes, candies, ice cream and other simple carbohydrates can cause a potentially life threatening condition called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when your blood glucose levels drop too low. Avoiding simple carbohydrates and choose instead complex carbohydrates that slow down digestion and can help prevent hypoglycemia. Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and high-fiber vegetables are all examples of complex carbohydrates that break down slowly in the body.