A glucose diet aims to regulate blood sugar and insulin production, and is most commonly recommended for people with conditions such as diabetes. Also called glycemic index diets, glucose diets are also sometimes used by people who want to lose weight. Before you begin any type of glucose diet, consult your doctor and a registered dietitian.
Types
Many different types of glucose diets are out there, including the low glycemic index diet, low glycemic load diet and Glucose Revolution, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Low-carbohydrate diets such as the Zone and Atkins also focus on controlling glucose levels. For treating diabetes, health care professionals recommend a diabetes diet or medical nutrition therapy -- MNT -- that helps to keep blood-glucose levels in check, MayoClinic.com says.
Function
Glucose diets are primarily used to control blood-sugar levels and body weight, MayoClinic.com says. Limiting your dietary intake of fat, calories, carbohydrates and sugars can help to prevent increases in blood glucose and insulin. Although diabetes MNT is aimed at controlling glucose and insulin levels in people who already have diabetes or prediabetes, low glycemic index and low glycemic load diets are often also used to help prevent diabetes and heart disease in at-risk individuals, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Specifically, a glucose diet works to keep blood-sugar levels at the normal ranges of 90 to 120 before meals and 110 to 150 after meals.
Diet
Following a glucose diet, you would avoid simple sugars and instead add healthy carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas and lentils, according to MayoClinic.com. These foods are also high in fiber, which is essential to a glucose diet. Exchanging fatty and red meats with fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and herring is also part of a glucose diet. Because diabetes can increase your risk of heart disease, you should replace saturated fats with healthy unsaturated fats from peanut, canola and olive oils. Replacing sugary and processed foods or snacks with whole foods that are high in fiber is also important, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Considerations
Other dietary and lifestyle changes can help support a glucose diet. For example, you can take a fiber supplement if you have difficulty getting enough fiber in your diet, says the University of Michigan Health System. And in some cases, limiting protein intake might reduce the risks of diabetes-related kidney damage. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, daily exercise can help your body utilize glucose more effectively and can ultimately lower your blood-glucose levels, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Warning
Don't begin a glucose diet without first consulting your doctor. Selecting the right foods and portion sizes is essential to a glucose diet, especially if you have diabetes, MayoClinic.com warns. If you're taking insulin or other diabetes medications to control your blood glucose, don't stop taking them unless your physician advises you to do so. Keep in mind that a glucose diet can greatly impact your blood-sugar levels, so work with your health care provider and a registered dietitian to ensure that you're getting enough nutrients and not causing your blood glucose levels to fluctuate dangerously.
