Type I diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. In this disorder, your pancreas fails to produce insulin, a hormone that moves glucose into cells where it provides energy. Glucose levels in the blood then become too high and the extra glucose spills into your urine. Patients experience increased thirst, frequent urination, low energy, constant hunger and weight loss. Consuming certain food products helps manage this disorder. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian to determine the correct diet for your condition.
Whole Grain Products
If you have type I diabetes, you should choose whole grain foods over foods made with processed flour. The fiber in whole grains helps slow the rise in blood glucose that occurs after eating. Avoid white bread, white pasta and white rice. Instead, choose brown rice, whole wheat breads, rolls and pastries and whole wheat pasta. Bran cereals and other high-fiber breakfast foods are also good choices. When baking, use whole wheat or other whole grain flours instead of white flour in recipes.
Vegetables
Vegetables that are low in carbohydrates are the best choices if you have type I diabetes and are available fresh, frozen or canned. Choose spinach, broccoli, cauliflower or green beans and avoid corn, potatoes and other vegetables with high amounts of starch. Fresh vegetables are best, but frozen or canned vegetables without thick, starchy sauces are also good choices. Although legumes such as beans and lentils contain starch, they are also high in fiber and constitute healthy occasional choices. Medline Plus recommends three to five servings of vegetables daily for people with diabetes.
Fruits
Consume two to four servings of fruit each day if you have type I diabetes. Whole fruits are preferable over fruit juices because juice is high in simple sugars and low in fiber. Choose fresh or processed fruits such as apples, pears, berries and citrus fruits, which have high amounts of fiber. Include the peels when you can because they are rich in insoluble fiber. When choosing canned or frozen fruit, check the label to ensure that sugar or sugary syrup was not added during processing.
