Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar. Type 1 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, a hormone that transports insulin from the blood into your skeletal muscle cells. Type 2 diabetics produce insulin, but cells are resistant to it. Diet can help you control blood sugar and reduce risk of life-threatening complications that include cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. Consult your doctor about managing your diabetes with diet.
Significance
Diet plays an integral role in helping you manage diabetes. Increases in blood sugar are primarily caused by consuming foods high in sugar. You may reduce or limit the changes in your blood sugar levels by consuming foods lower in sugar content. Diet may also reduce your risk for obesity, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
Myths
The American Diabetes Association reports myths about diabetes abound among the populace. Understanding the truth about diabetes may help you better manage it with diet. One myth is that people with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods. The truth is that you may consume the same healthy diet as anyone eats that includes whole foods low in sugar, unhealthy fats and salt. Another myth is diabetics may eat unlimited amounts of fruit, since it is a healthy food and limit the amount of starchy foods, such as bread, pasta and potatoes. The truth is fruit is a healthy food with high content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, yet some fruits may affect your blood sugar levels more or less than other fruits. You may eat fruits and starchy foods, but limit the portion sizes.
Features
A healthy diet includes foods that are low glycemic and contain healthy fats and soluble fiber. Low glycemic foods contain sugar that is slowly digested and absorbed into your bloodstream and limit the extreme fluctuations of blood sugar and insulin that may cause complications, such as dizziness, loss of consciousness, coma and death. Healthy fats include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat from plant foods, such as avocado and pumpkin seeds and omega-3 fatty acids from nuts and fish. Soluble fiber in whole foods, such as apples and beans, slows down the absorption of sugar and may help you control blood sugar levels.
Considerations
Exercise may also help you to manage your diabetes concurrent with a healthy diet. Research by Andrew Maiorana, MSc., published in "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice" in 2002 demonstrates that a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program among people with Type 2 diabetes reduces glycated hemoglobin and fasting blood sugar levels. Glycated hemoglobin indicates your average blood sugar measurement during a 6- to 12-week period and can be used with home blood sugar monitoring tests to help you adjust your diet.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Myths
- Harvard Medical School: Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load for 100+ Foods
- American Diabetes Association: Fat and Diabetes
