Diabetes is a life-long condition, but it does not have to rob you of your quality of life. Dietary changes are necessary to achieve and maintain a good life, but the changes are not so drastic that you cannot still enjoy all that your life has to offer. It is a matter of balancing new eating habits and healthy lifestyle changes.
Significance
Making the right food choices when you have diabetes can help you feel good each day, lose weight if necessary and reduce your risk of other problems commonly associated with diabetes, such as heart disease and stroke, according to the National Diabetic Information Clearinghouse. You accomplish all of this by keeping your blood sugar levels within their target range -- the foods you choose either help or hinder your ability to do this.
Function
No one specific diet exists for diabetics, but rather medical nutrition therapy. You control your diabetes by eating greater quantities of nutritious foods in moderate amounts at regular times of the day. It is not self-deprivation, but self-control.
Eating more nutrient-dense foods lowers the amount of calories you take in, while providing your body with foods that keep your blood sugar levels low.
Eating six small meals a day moderates the amount you eat and regulates your blood sugar levels simultaneously.
Types
Carbohydrates have the largest impact on your blood sugar levels because they break down into sugar that your blood absorbs. Certain types of sugars absorb more quickly than others, and all carbs contain different types of sugars.
Simple carbs are the worst, containing refined, or white, sugar. These sugars break down rapidly, and your blood absorbs it just as fast. Examples of these sugars include bread made with white flour or sugar, cookies, pastries, white rice, pasta and soda. You should reduce -- or eliminate -- your intake of these foods.
Complex carbs are the best foods to eat; these regulate your blood sugar levels, having the least impact on them. Foods in this group contain fiber, the least digestible part of the plant. These foods fill you up faster and take longer to break down in your blood. Examples include whole grain bread and pasta, oatmeal, brown rice, fruits, vegetables, legumes and beans.
Saturated fats are another food you should drastically limit. Primary sources include red meats, whole-fat dairy, vegetable oil and eggs. Replace these with unsaturated fats such as olive and canola oils for cooking, avocados, nuts such as walnuts, almonds and pistachios, and olives. Reduce your daily saturated fat intake to 7 percent of your daily caloric intake.
Identification
The glycemic index is a tool you can use to identify and separate simple carbs from complex carbs. Every food on the list contains carbs; it simply helps you choose the best carb for your eating plan. It ranks foods from 1 to 100; the lower the number, the healthier the carb. If it rates 55 or below, it is in the low group, 56 to 69 rates as moderate and 70 or above is considered high. For the best blood sugar control, choose from the low or moderate category.
Considerations
Ask your doctor what your daily caloric intake is, along with the number of carbs you should eat as well. This information will help you devise your diet.
Meet with a registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes health on a regular basis to maintain or adjust your eating habits as necessary. Doing this helps keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.
Keep a strong emotional support group near at all times; you might find living with diabetes difficult at times, and having friends and family to support you can make a difference.
