Diabetes is a chronic condition that significantly alters your body's relationship to insulin, the pancreatic hormone that normally controls the glucose content of your blood. Individuals with the disease must typically make a number of lifestyle changes, including modifications of their selection of everyday foods. The American Diabetes Association provides substantial guidance in creating an effective diabetic's diet.
Diabetes Basics
Diabetes comes in two basic forms, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus. In Type 1 diabetes, your body produces insufficient amounts of insulin for glucose control. In Type 2 diabetes, your body makes enough insulin but does not respond properly to its normal glucose-controlling effects. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes typically have the condition from a very early age, while individuals with Type 2 diabetes commonly acquire the condition in later life. Pregnant women without diabetes can also develop a temporary form of the condition called gestational diabetes. The presence of this form of the disease significantly increases risks for the onset of Type 2 diabetes at some point after pregnancy.
Things to Include
Diabetics should follow certain dietary guidelines to support their health and limit the disease's effects, according to the American Diabetes Association. However, these guidelines are not highly restrictive and largely follow general guidelines for healthy eating. Begin by eating a diet that contains a wide variety of fruits and non-starchy vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, carrots and spinach. Eat some form of fish two or three times a week. When you eat meat, choose lean cuts and remove any excess fat. Include both whole grains and dried lentils or beans in your diet and choose low- or non-fat dairy options.
Things to Avoid
Diabetics typically benefit from avoiding processed grains, the American Diabetes Association reports. Also avoid cooking with saturated fat, as well as eating foods cooked with this fat or another substance called trans fat. Reduce or eliminate your intake of high-calorie snack foods such as cookies, chips and cakes, as well high-fat ice cream. When you make drinking choices, avoid sugar-sweetened products such as sodas, teas and punches. Also reduce or eliminate your intake of any form of alcohol.
Optimal Foods
Within your general dietary options, there are certain foods that can prove especially effective in helping you maintain a proper diabetes diet, the American Diabetes Association notes. In addition to minimizing spikes in your blood glucose, these foods contain nutrients that many Americans do not get in adequate amounts, including magnesium, potassium, calcium, fiber and the vitamins E, C and A. The full list of these foods includes nuts, whole grains, fish that contains omega-3 fatty acids, fat-free milk and yogurt, various types of berries and citrus fruits, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, various types of beans and dark, leafy greens such as kale and spinach.
Considerations
Obesity plays a significant role in the onset and expression of Type 2 diabetes, Medline Plus reports. Even if you eat only healthy foods, consumption of oversized portions can contribute to weight gain and diabetes-related problems. Consult your doctor to learn more about the factors that go into a healthy diabetes diet.
