If you're a diabetic, you often have to make several lifestyle changes in order to manage the condition. These include exercising regularly, tracking blood sugar levels and monitoring diet. Because people with Type 1 diabetes often use insulin, they must pay close attention to nutrition before and after medication is due.
Significance of Diet and Diabetes
If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body doesn't produce sufficient quantities of insulin. According to MedlinePlus, the body's cells require insulin in order to receive glucose, which fuels their function. This causes high blood sugar levels and hungry cells, leaving you feeling tired, extremely thirsty or hungry, and may give you blurry vision. Meal planning is an important part of Type 1 diabetes symptom control, in addition to taking insulin and monitoring blood sugar levels.
The Importance of Whole-Grain Starches
Starches are one of the most important parts of the diabetic diet, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, or NDIC. Every person's daily starch requirements are different; however, the NDIC recommends diabetics include some starches at each meal. Whole-grain starches are preferred over others, as they tend to have more nutritional value. In other words, although traditional pasta is fine in moderation for someone with Type 1 diabetes, wheat pasta is a better choice: Not only is it higher in fiber, it contains more minerals.
Considerations: What Else to Eat
The diabetic diet does not necessarily exclude any foods; however, the NDIC does make recommendations for how a diabetic diet should be structured. For instance, starches, vegetables and fruits make up the majority of the recommended diabetic diet, says the National Diabetic Information Clearinghouse. Starches help maintain blood sugar levels, and fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins and minerals. They also contain high amounts of fiber, which help control blood glucose levels, MedlinePlus says. Dairy products and meats are also included in the diet but play a smaller role. The NDIC recommends choosing low-fat dairy products and lean cuts of meat cooked with minimal added fats.
What About Sugars and Fats?
Sugary foods and foods with high fat content need not be completely eliminated from the diabetic diet; they simply require moderation. It's OK for most diabetics to have a small serving of ice cream. However, low-fat frozen yogurt or fresh berries are a better choice. In addition, fats are low on the list for diabetics. Diabetics should understand that there is a difference between good and bad fats. Good fats, such as olive oil or avocado, contain nutrients that are good for the heart. Bad fats, such as fried foods, contain little to no nutritional value but pack on the calories. Although the Mayo Clinic recommends good fats over bad, it reinforces limiting all fats in the diabetic diet.
Benefits of an Eating Plan
When considering the nutritional needs for someone with Type 1 diabetes, you have to consider what the person eats and when he eats. The NDIC reports that many diabetics benefit from snacking between meals to keep blood sugar levels steady. In addition, main meals may need to be adjusted if sugar levels climb too high afterward. Finally, every diabetic meal and snack needs to be balanced with the right amount of carbohydrates and attention to each food's glycemic index.
