Insulin ensures normal levels of blood glucose. It is secreted by the pancreas, but people with diabetes mellitus type 1 cannot secrete insulin because those pancreatic cells have been destroyed. People with diabetes mellitus type 2 have tissues and organs that are resistant to insulin. Thus, in both types of diabetes mellitus, people can have high blood glucose levels.
Overall Diet
According to the American Diabetes Association, carbohydrates should be 45 to 65 percent of the calories for the day. Ten to 35 percent of the daily calories should be protein, while 20 to 35 percent should be fat, with less than seven percent as saturated fat. Diabetics in general should have no more than 300 mg a day of cholesterol, but those with LDL cholesterol levels higher than 100 mg/dL should not have more than 200 mg of cholesterol each day. Those with kidney disease should only have 10 percent of their daily calories as protein.
Carbohydrates
The best carbohydrates to eat are the ones that are high in fiber and slow the absorption of glucose, as explained by Umesh Masharani, M.B., Professor of Medicine at the University of California in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment." Foods high in fiber can also have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels. These carbohydrates include brown rice, oatmeal, beans, barley, whole-wheat pasta, whole grain bread, and cereals with whole wheat as the first ingredient on the label. Items on a food label are listed in order from "the most" to "the least."
Proteins
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, diabetic patients should eat protein sources that have the least amount of calories and fat. The animal protein sources should, therefore, include turkey and chicken without the skin, fish, shellfish, egg whites, and fat-free or low-fat cheese and milk. The plant sources of protein include legumes, nuts, beans, soy and tofu. Plant proteins are just as healthy as animal sources and sometimes, they are even healthier. The Medical Center recommends that if diabetics want to eat red meat, they should be sure to eat the leanest.
Fats
The best fats to eat are the omega-3 fatty acids and the monounsaturated fats. The omega-3 fatty acids are alpha linolenic acid, DHA and EPA, per Kathleen Botham, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry at the University of London in "Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry." Eating fish such as sardines, salmon and tuna provides people with DHA and EPA. Alpha linolenic acid is found in tofu, nuts, canola oil and soy. Eating avocados, olives and peanut butter provides monounsaturated fats.
Fruits and Vegetables
Diabetics should have fruits and vegetables every day. As explained by the University of Maryland Medical Center, they should have two or three servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables every day. It is better to eat whole fruits because they have fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals. Like fruits, vegetables also have fiber, vitamins and minerals. Tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini, green beans, carrots, cauliflower, leafy greens and broccoli are also low in calories.
References
- American Diabetic Association: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2011"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2011
- "Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry"; Robert Murray, M.D., Ph.D., David Bender, Ph.D., Kathleen Botham, Ph.D. et al.; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Step 6: Lose weight and follow the right diet
