Medical nutritional therapy -- or MNT -- is the medical term for a diabetic diet. No specific diet exists for diabetes because you simply need to eat more nutritious foods in moderate amounts at regular times of the day, as the website MayoClinic reports. Your needs may vary based on your age, weight, gender and level of physical activity. These factors do not change the basic concept of MNT.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates impact your blood sugar levels the most, so you must choose carbs wisely. You have two choices -- simple and complex. Simple carbs such as soda, high-sugar cereal, candy, white bread and pasta, white rice, sweetened juice and snack foods contain sugar that breaks down quickly in your blood, causing your glucose levels to rise rapidly. You need to avoid these foods.
Complex carbohydrates break down slowly over a period of time. These carbs provide sustained energy and regulate your blood sugar. Complex carbs include whole-grain bread and pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, kidney and navy beans, black-eyed peas and lentils. Consume 45 g to 60 g of carbohydrates at each meal; however, your doctor may adjust this according to your needs.
Fruits and Vegetables
All fruits contain vitamins and minerals your body needs, however, they contain natural sugars that break down easily in your body, making them a simple carbohydrate. This type of carb breaks down quickly in your body, offers no nutritional value and causes your blood sugar to spike.
Vegetables have the same nutritional value, but more types of vegetables are complex carbs, a type of carbohydrate that breaks down slowly, having little impact on your blood sugar. To receive the full benefit of your fruits and vegetables, use the glycemic index, a tool rating foods according to the number of carbohydrates they contain; the lower the number, the less of an impact the food has on your blood sugar. As a diabetic, you should consume foods with a rating of 55 or less. Fruits include apples, cherries, oranges, grapefruit and pears. Vegetables include artichokes, asparagus, celery, cauliflower, cabbage, green beans and broccoli. The amount you eat is at the discretion of your doctor based on your personal situation.
Fats
Every diet contains some fat, but you are at greater risk for heart disease due to your diabetes. Saturated fats are found primarily in red meat and whole-fat dairy products. Choose poultry and fish instead of steak or burgers, and non-fat milk and cheese over whole-milk.
Unsaturated fats are in foods such as avocados, black and green olives and nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts and pistachios. Although nuts are healthier snacks than candy, they contain a lot of calories, another downfall for diabetics. Eat a hand full when consuming them for a snack, preventing a large caloric intake.
Portions
Portion control helps prevent overeating and controls the amount of calories you consume. The Help Guide website suggests dividing your plate into three parts; fill half your plate with a complex carbohydrate vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower or spinach. A 3 oz. portion of lean protein should comprise one-quarter, while a starch such as potatoes, rice or pasta can fill the other quarter. Eat your vegetables first to receive your nutrients; this will fill you up as well. Move on to your protein and save the starch for last, provided you are still hungry.
Schedule
Schedule three meals and three snacks for the same time each day. This prevents eating too much through the day and keeps your portions in check. Start every day with breakfast; you will have more energy and steady your blood sugar. Keep your daily caloric intake the same from day-to-day. Your doctor will tell you how many calories you need; balance these between every meal. Doing so helps regulate your blood sugar.
