Although diabetes is a chronic condition, it doesn't have to control your life. You can control your blood sugar levels in many ways -- through physical activity, close glucose monitoring and dietary changes. While improving your eating habits is necessary to prevent common diabetic complications, you do not have to live a life of dietary unhappiness. Instead, follow a medical nutrition plan.
Purpose
The purpose of medical nutrition is weight management and control of your blood sugar levels to prevent chronic complications of diabetes such as kidney, nerve and heart damage. Medical therapy can also prevent diabetes if you have pre-diabetes, a condition placing you at risk for Type 2 diabetes.
Function
Medical therapy is an eating plan placing few restrictions on your diet; instead, it focuses on eating more nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole-grains in moderate amounts at the same time each day, explains MayoClinic.com. A registered dietitian devises the plan with you based on your medical and dietary history, along with your personal goals. This diet includes your daily caloric, carbohydrate, fat and protein allowances. The dietitian monitors your progress through regular visits, making adjustments if necessary.
Types
Medical nutrition places emphasis on healthy, complex carbohydrates such as whole-grains bread and pasta, brown rice and lentils, low-fat dairy products, vegetables, fruits, oats and bran. These foods are high in fiber and take longer to digest. Your blood doesn't absorb the sugar in these foods quickly, resulting in little or no impact on your blood sugar levels.
Consuming fish two to three times a week reduces the amount of red meat you eat, reducing the amount of fat and cholesterol your body absorbs. Consider cod, tuna and halibut, along with salmon and mackerel which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. This is a heart-healthy fat that lowers the triglycerides in your body, thus reducing your risk of heart disease.
Eating good fats such as avocados, olives, almonds, pecans, walnuts and peanuts also reduces your cholesterol. Olive, canola, sunflower and peanut oil are "good" fats; use them when cooking instead of vegetable oil or lard.
Moderation
A well-balanced meal is the key to controlling your blood sugar, however, you need to eat the right combination of foods in moderation to accomplish this. At least half your plate should consist of vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach or carrots. Eat these first to fill you up and ensure you receive the nutrients your body needs. A 3-oz. portion of lean protein such as fish or skinless poultry should comprise one-quarter of your plate, while the remaining quarter can contain the starch of your choice, such as potatoes.
Considerations
When devising your diet, set a schedule you can adhere to -- eating the same amount of calories at the same time each day helps regulate your blood sugar.
Although the food you eat is a key aspect of controlling your blood sugar, you must follow the schedule your doctor sets for glucose monitoring. Diligence in recording every result is equally important; your dietitian cannot adjust your diet unless you present her with accurate results from your blood sugar testing.
Member Comments