Diabetes is a common condition in modern society. According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million adults and children have diabetes, and millions more may have the condition without knowing it. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 appears in childhood and requires treatment with insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more common and may be managed with healthy lifestyle choices. Following the prescribed diet plan may minimize your risk of additional health problems.
Diabetes Treatment
Treating diabetes involves several components, including diet, regular exercise and insulin-sensitizing medications such as Glucophage. Some patients with diabetes must also take insulin to replace what their body cannot produce. Exercise is important for helping your body regulate insulin properly. Losing weight through proper diet and exercise may improve your diabetes. However, you should follow your doctor's guidelines for weight loss so that you don't lose weight too quickly.
Diabetic Diet
A diabetic diet contains a controlled amount of calories and an appropriate balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat. Compared with the standard American diet, the diabetic diet contains more protein and fewer carbohydrates and fat. Sugar, alcohol, fried foods and refined carbohydrates should be limited for diabetics. Diabetics work with a dietitian to plan a healthful and appropriate diet.
Exchanges
Most diabetic diets developed by dietitians are based on the concept of exchanges. The dietary exchange system was created through a joint effort between the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association, according to the Mayo Clinic. Exchanges grant a certain point value to foods based on the fat, carbohydrate and protein content, which provides a guideline that makes it easier to know what you should eat. Your dietitian will recommend a certain number of exchanges for you to eat each day based on your age, weight and weight-loss goals.
Diet Details
Consume carbohydrates as approximately 50 percent of your daily food intake. Carbohydrates are present in several foods, including fruit, starchy vegetables and milk. Choose carbohydrate sources that contain some fiber to slow the impact on your blood sugar. Space out your carbohydrate servings throughout the day to avoid an overload of sugar at once, Endocrineweb.com advises. However, you are allowed to eat unlimited "free foods," which include diet soda, sugar-free gelatin, coffee, tea and broth or bouillon.
Warnings
Monitor your blood sugar several times daily with a glucometer to check how well your diet is controlling your diabetes. Failure to follow a diabetic diet will not control blood sugar levels properly. Some of the long-term consequences of uncontrolled blood sugar include nerve damage, blindness, amputation of lower limbs and early death.
