As a diabetic, monitoring your blood sugar levels is critical to managing your symptoms. This is true for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients, but there is a risk that in limiting your diet to manage your blood sugar you will neglect other areas of nutrition. The American Dietetic Association notes that this can include misbalancing carbohydrates and other food types as well as nutritional deficiencies.
Regular Meal Timing
One of the key components of healthy nutrition for diabetics is meal timing. MayoClinic.com and the American Dietetic Association both support planned times for meals, as this can prevent a broadly fluctuating blood glucose level. Working with a dietitian will ensure that each meal is a healthful meal and not simple an additional meal to meet a time slot.
Fat, Protein and Carbohydrate Needs
When working to plan your meals, carbohydrates become a starring concern for diabetic nutrition because they play such a large role in blood sugar control. According to the American Diabetes Association, 45 to 60 g of carbs per meal is a good starting place, and you will need to adjust from there based on your personal health needs. A protein source and a fat are also recommended for each meal, and even if you are a vegetarian diabetic it is vital to consume 1 g of protein per 2.2 lbs of body weight. The American Diabetes Association states that while some fats are needed, diabetics should take extra care to avoid trans and saturated fats.
Vitamin and Mineral Needs
According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, people with diabetes tend to have less vitamin C in their bodies. This can impact blood glucose levels, and studies have shown that both cholesterol and glucose levels improved with vitamin C supplementation. The Joslin Diabetes Center notes that too much vitamin C supplementation may be harmful for people with diabetes, as dosages of over 1,000 mg daily can trigger kidney stones.
Substitutes for Normalcy
With the fine balance that needs to be maintained, MayoClinic.com notes that it can be hard for diabetics to feel like they can eat out normally or dine with friends. By making key substitutions, it is possible for diabetics to more easily meet their dietary needs even when eating out regularly or traveling. MayoClinic.com notes that baked, grilled, broiled, or steamed foods can be substituted for fried foods, salads can be sides instead of french fries, and vinaigrettes or lemon juice can replace creamy salad dressings to allow diabetics to eat out but still eat right.
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