Diabetic diet plans for Type 1 diabetics are based on an insulin regimen. The liver produces glucose when little food has been eaten, therefore, there is always glucose in the blood. Eating will increase glucose in the blood.
It is very important to follow a consistent diet that coincides with an insulin regimen. Checking glucose levels often helps for better glucose control.
Goals
Most Type 1 diabetics are diagnosed as children. The goal for children with Type 1 diabetes is having normal growth and development into adulthood. Newly diagnosed children, who often present with weight loss and hunger, are given a diet based on initial needs to regain lost weight and improve appetite. Four to six weeks after diagnosis the meal plan may be modified to fit a more long-term regimen.
Types of Insulin
All people with Type 1 diabetes are put on an insulin regimen. The meal plan must follow the insulin regimen. Typically patients with Type 1 diabetes are prescribed an insulin pump or multiple daily insulin injections, which involves greater than three injections per day. Multiple injections typically include a long-acting insulin, to cover basal glucose and short or rapid acting insulin to cover glucose from meals.
Insulin pumps contain rapid or short acting insulin that is continuously released. This requires the patient to check blood glucose levels four times per day and ensure it is delivering the correct amount.
Types of Meal Plans
There are two major types of meal plans for diabetics: carbohydrate counting and exchange lists. Carbohydrate counting is less strict and allows for more freedom in meal choice. Carbohydrate counting involves counting the number of carbohydrate sources at each meal. Exchange lists are more strict and involve counting the number of servings of each food group at each meal.
Before eating, count the number of carbohydrate servings in the meal. For every serving inject one unit of short or rapid acting insulin. The amount of carbohydrates recommended for each meal or snack are individualized and should be recommended by a doctor or dietitian.
Sample Meal Plan
Here is a sample meal plan for a 1,900 to 2,000 calorie diet:
Carbohydrate Counting:
Breakfast: three to four carbohydrates
Snack: One carbohydrates
Lunch: Three to four carbohydrates
Snack: One carbohydrate
Dinner: Four to five carbohydrates
Snack: One to two carbohydrates
Exchange Lists:
Breakfast: Two carbohydrates, one fruit, one milk, one fat
Snack: one carbohydrate, zero to one fat
Lunch: Two to three carbohydrates, one fruit, two to three protein, one to two fat, one vegetable
Snack: One carbohydrate, Zzro to one fat
Dinner: two to three carbohydrates, one fruit, one milk, three to four protein, one to two fat, one vegetable
Snack: One to two carbohydrates, zero to one fruit, zero to one fat
Food Groups
Examples of one carbohydrate serving includes: One slice bread, one small potato, 1/2 cup pasta, 1/2 cup corn or peas and 1/4 bagel. Examples of protein servings include 1 oz. lean meat, for meats higher in fat count as a protein serving as well as a meat serving. Vegetable servings include non-starchy vegetables, such as green beans, carrots or lettuce. Fat servings include 1 tbsp. butter, oil or peanut butter. Consult www.mpyramid.gov for more food group examples.
It is beneficial to choose sugar-free desserts, because they will contain fewer carbohydrates. There are some foods that contain no calories and therefore do not require any extra insulin, including diet sodas, black coffee or tea, and sugar substitutes.
References
- "Krause's Food and Nutrition Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan; 2008
- Choose your foods: Exchange lists for Diabetes; American Diabetic Association and American Dietetic Association; 2007.
