Food that is eaten is turned into glucose, or sugar, to be used by the body. Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, is necessary because it takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. A person with type 2 diabetes does not efficiently use insulin, and his blood sugar levels rise too high, which can cause life-threatening complications. Diabetics take medications to control sugar, but diet also plays a role in keeping blood sugar stable.
Benefits of an Appropriate Diet
If you are have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may feel overwhelmed by the rules about what you can and cannot eat. Your doctor may have asked that you see a nutritionist to devise a meal plan to keep your blood sugar within a safe range and minimize your chances of diabetic complications. If you are overweight, you doctor may have advised you to lose weight. Losing weight can help keep your blood sugar under control. If you have diabetes, eating healthfully and following a carefully planned diet can help improve your chances of success.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates have the most influence on your blood sugar. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils and low-fat milk products. If you take insulin or other diabetes medications, your blood sugar levels can fluctuate depending on the amount of carbohydrates you eat and the time you eat them each day. Your doctor or a nutritionist can help you understand the information on food labels so you can count carbohydrates to keep your blood sugar stable.
Protein
The Mayo Clinic advises eating fish at least twice a week but recommends avoiding fish that contain high levels of mercury, including swordfish and king mackerel. Cod, tuna and halibut have less saturated fat and cholesterol than red meat and chicken. Salmon, mackerel and herring contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower triglycerides. For other protein sources, try to eat beans, lean cuts of meat, poultry and tofu.
Fiber
Mayo Clinic experts say fiber can decrease your risk of heart disease and provide blood sugar control. Fiber also helps keep you full longer, which can aid in reducing weight. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, lentils, whole wheat flour and wheat bran.
Fats
Canola oil, olive oil and peanut oils are "good" fats and can help lower your cholesterol, the Mayo Clinic states. Avocados, almonds, pecans and walnuts can also contain cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. You should eat good fats sparingly because they are still high in calories. Dairy products that are high in fat, as well as higher-fat protein sources, contain saturated fat and should be used sparingly. Trans fats, which are found in packaged foods and margarine, should be avoided.
Misconceptions
Being diabetic doesn't mean you don't get to eat something sweet every now and then. According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers have found the sugar in candy and other sweets has the same effect on blood sugar as the sugar in fruits and other carbohydrates if these are consumed with a meal and balanced with other foods. Because sweets don't have many nutrients, it wise to include them in small portions a couple of times a week. To keep your blood sugar stable, substitute a sweet for one of the carbohydrates in your meal, or replace a high-carbohydrate food in your meal with a food that has fewer carbohydrates, then add the sweet.
