Say the word "diabetes" and routine blood sugar testing and meticulous medication-taking spring to mind. I you have type 1 diabetes -- the most severe form of this disease -- you must take insulin to stay alive. However, only under certain circumstances can diabetes be managed through diet and other lifestyle adjustments. And you always must have your treating physician's approval before trying to manage your condition through diet and exercise and without medication.
Understanding Diabetes
Your pancreas produces insulin, which helps your body metabolize sugar and keep blood sugar levels under control. If you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks your pancreas, rendering it unable to produce insulin, notes MayoClinic.com. If you have type 2 diabetes, prediabetes or gestational diabetes, your pancreas still produces insulin, however your cells are resistant to its effects. No matter what type of diabetes you have, the problem is that you have too much glucose or "sugar" in your bloodstream. And this is dangerous to your health.
Do You Need Medication?
All people with type 1 diabetes require medication -- specifically, insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes require insulin as well. However, some type 2 diabetics and people with prediabetes and gestational diabetes can manage their conditions through diet and exercise alone. Diabetes can result in serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke and damage to the nerves, feet, eyes and kidneys. Because health ramifications of untreated diabetes can be debilitating -- and may even result in death -- always leave treatment to your doctor's discretion.
Diet for Diabetes
There's no one diet to treat diabetes, says MayoClinic.com. When you eat for your condition, meals must be carefully balanced, consisting of the same amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Select foods low in fat and/or high in fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grain foods, nuts, legumes and low-fat milk products. MayoClinic.com advises eating fish twice a week. Choose cod, tuna, halibut, salmon, mackerel or herring. Healthy fats -- monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats -- can help control your cholesterol levels. These foods are usually calorie-dense, so don't go overboard. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, olives, avocados and canola, peanut and oils are some "healthy fat" options.
A diabetic diet is far from limiting. In fact, MayoClinic.com states that this type of eating plan is recommended for all Americans. The American Diabetes Association has compiled a list of diabetes "superfoods": beans, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, berries, tomatoes, salmon, whole grains, nuts, fat-free dairy foods, and dark leafy greens.
Diet Limitations
Limit saturated fats to no more than 7 percent of your daily calories, and avoid trans fats entirely, advises MayoClinic.com. Food high in saturated fat includes red meat; sausage; packaged meats, such as hot dogs and lunch meat; and bacon. Trans fats are found in processed foods, fast foods, baked treats, shortening and certain types of margarine. Restrict dietary cholesterol to no more than 200 mg a day, and keep your sodium intake at less than 2,000 mg.
Diabetes Cautions
The right diet is essential to treat diabetes, as is getting 30 minutes of exercise almost every day of the week, advises MayoClinic.com. Eating right and increased physical activity can be sufficient to treat some types of diabetes. However, if you self-treat diabetes through diet alone, this is a dangerous undertaking. Most people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes take metformin to lower glucose production. Aspirin therapy, drugs to control high blood pressure and lower cholesterol and/or insulin may be necessary to treat your condition as well. Don't go without medication unless your doctor expressly tells you to do so.
