Hyperglycemia, or an excessively high sugar level in the body, occurs when the body cannot regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates into glucose. Either the body cannot make the necessary insulin to disperse the glucose as in type 1 diabetes, or it cannot respond correctly to the insulin it does have as in type 2 diabetes. Low-fat diets, eating fresh fruits and vegetables and carefully controlling carbohydrate intake are important for those suffering from hyperglycemia.
Carbohydrate Restriction
Although a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet has been the traditional recommendation for hyperglycemia, current emphasis in treating diabetes is on carbohydrate control. The American Diabetes Association advises carbohydrate counting and setting a limit on the quantity of carbohydrates eaten because foods rich in carbohydrates raise blood glucose levels.
Although carbohydrate restriction is still not adequately emphasized nor accepted universally in the medical profession, the American Diabetes Association does now suggest limiting carbohydrate intake for hyperglycemia patients to 45 to 65 percent of the total calories consumed daily. Total carbohydrate intake includes sugars, starches such as potatoes, beans, grains and the fiber from fruits and vegetables. A hyperglycemia diet can include some sugar, but sugar uses up the allowed calories without providing the nutritional value fruits and vegetables can give. Healthy options include sugar-free gelatin, sugar-free gum, sugar-free candy and low-sugar jams and jellies.
As individual needs differ, consult with your physician as to your optimal calorie intake and what percentage of that can be provided by carbohydrates.
Healthy Fats
In addition to carbohydrate restriction, eating healthy fats is an important aspect of hyperglycemia diets that aids in weight reduction, improves insulin sensitivity and helps establish glycemic control. Reducing the intake of saturated fats to less than 7 percent of caloric intake is advised by the American Diabetes Association. This means eating less than 15 g of saturated fat each day, roughly equal to 2 oz. of cheese, although people leading sedentary lives need less. Other saturated fats include butter, cream sauces, coconut, chocolate, palm oil, poultry skin, whole milk, hot dogs, sausage, bacon, spareribs and bologna.
Monounsaturated fats are examples of healthy fats and include nuts, avocados, sesame seeds, olives, olive oil, canola oil and peanut butter. Polyunsaturated fats are also healthy fats and recommended by the American Diabetes Association as additions to hyperglycemia diets. These include walnuts; pumpkin or sunflower seeds; mayonnaise; salad dressings; soft margarine; and cottonseed, safflower, sunflower, corn and soybean oils. Also recommended by the ADA is eating non-fried fish such as salmon, rainbow trout and herring two or three times a week for healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed, flaxseed oil, tofu and other soybean products also contain omega-3s.
Fruits and Vegetables
Hyperglycemia diets include five portions spread throughout the day of fruit and vegetables regardless of the sugar content. All vegetables are permitted with the exception of starchy potatoes because of their high-carbohydrate content. Check with your doctor if there are certain foods you should avoid.
