According to the American Diabetes Association, millions of Americans have diabetes mellitus, and many others are at high risk for developing this disease. Diabetes is a disorder in which your body does not use glucose correctly and, as a result, you consistently have too much glucose in your bloodstream. Though diabetes can increase your risk of other medical problems, weight loss and a diabetic diet can help to control blood glucose and improve both symptoms and quality of life.
Background
Diabetes mellitus occurs when the cells in your body become resistant to insulin, a hormone that allows sugar to enter these cells and thus lowers the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. When the cells become resistant to insulin, sugar builds up in the bloodstream rather than moving into the cells. This excess sugar can lead to symptoms of thirst, increased urination, hunger, weight loss, fatigue and difficulty with infections. Insulin resistance can occur when your diet contains too many sugars, thus releasing vast quantities of insulin and causing the cells to stop responding as they should. For this reason, a diet that decreases the amount of sugar in the bloodstream by reducing sugar intake from foods can help control diabetes.
Portions
As stated by the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, small, frequent meals, rather than a few large meals, can help to reduce your blood glucose levels. Smaller meals result in less sugar being released into the bloodstream at any given time, and the insulin is better able to manage this smaller sugar load. An example of an appropriate meal size, according to MayoClinic.com, is a whole-grain waffle, a piece of fruit and a cup of low-fat milk.
Features
Carbohydrate intake must be monitored closely, because carbs are easily broken down into sugar. Complex carbohydrates require more time to break down into sugar and are the best option for diabetic patients. Fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, whole-grain foods and low-fat dairy products are the best carbohydrate choices, while white bread, pasta and cereal are not as good. Foods high in fiber, such as vegetables, whole grains and nuts, help to control blood glucose levels and should be eaten often as part of a diabetic diet.
Benefits
Adhering to a diabetic diet results in lower blood glucose levels and helps you avoid potential complications of diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels over time lead to an increased risk of heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage and infections. Maintaining good blood glucose levels through diet reduces all of these risks substantially, and often results in weight loss.
Considerations
A diabetic diet helps to control blood sugars in diabetic patients, and can also prevent the development of diabetes if you are at high risk for developing this disease. If you are overweight, have elevated blood sugar levels or have a strong family history of diabetes, you may be at increased risk for developing diabetes. Your doctor can help determine your risk. Additionally, dietary changes may not be sufficient to control blood sugar levels for some people with diabetes. In this case, your physician may recommend medications to help keep your blood sugar levels normal.
