People who have diabetes must be particularly careful with their diet, as what they eat directly affects their blood glucose levels. If blood glucose is too high or too low, a person may feel overly tired or develop other related health problems. Following a nutrition plan is one of the keys to managing diabetes.
Starches
Starches are one of the most important components of the diabetic diet. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, or NDIC, some starches should be included in every meal. Starches are all of the things people on low-carb diets avoid, such as rice, pasta, breads and potatoes. The average diabetic person should have around 8 starches daily, but recommendations vary based on a person's particular calorie intake plan. The NDIC advises diabetics make starch choices healthier by choosing whole grains, and baked varieties over fried.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are another important part of the diabetic diet. Though they do contain carbohydrates, they also contain another important ingredient for diabetic nutrition: fiber. Fiber not only helps regulate blood glucose levels, but is also important for heart health. Diabetics are more prone to circulatory problems such as atherosclerosis and stroke, making heart healthy foods a good choice. Broccoli and apples are good high-fiber choices. In general, whole fruits and vegetables are preferred over juice; however, juice is better than no fruit at all.
Dairy Products
Dairy is of medium importance in the diabetic diet plan, according to the NDIC, who recommend around two servings a day. Dairy includes not only milk, but cheese and yogurt as well. Dairy products are generally lower in fiber than starches and veggies, but do contain important proteins. The NDIC recommends diabetics choose skim milk over whole, and stick to low-fat dairy products such as skim milk yogurt and cottage cheese.
Meats and Proteins
The term "meat group" is a bit of a misnomer, as it also contains fish, tofu, poultry and eggs. Products from this group are high in protein, but can be high in fat as well. The NDIC recommends around 4 to 6 oz. of proteins daily for the average diabetic person. In order to keep proteins heart healthy, they recommend choosing lean cuts of meat and cooking with minimal fats. MayoClinic.com recommends diabetics have low-mercury fish as their protein at least twice a week, as their oils are good for the heart.
Fats
Fats should make up a minimal part of the diabetic diet, as they tend to be the highest in calories and cholesterol with little nutritional value. While fats do not have to be avoided completely, diabetics should moderate them, eating them sparingly. The Mayo Clinic suggests sticking to "healthy fats" such as avocado and nuts, as they are lower and cholesterol and have more nutritional value than other fats, such as cakes or French fries.
