Diabetes refers to a group of chronic diseases characterized by excessive glucose, or blood sugar, levels. Type 1 diabetes is lifelong, while type 2 diabetes may develop at any age. Gestational diabetes affects women during pregnancy. In addition to regular glucose monitoring, maintaining a healthy body weight and medications, a nutritious, balanced diet is an important aspect of diabetes treatment. For best results, seek specified guidance from your doctor or dietitian.
Function
A healthy food diet for diabetes should provide sufficient amounts of calories and nutrients while keeping your blood sugar levels in check. According to MayoClinic.com, this requires consuming a variety of nutrient-rich foods in moderate amounts and eating at routine mealtimes. Your diet should also help you reach or maintain a healthy body weight, since excess weight increases your risk for diabetes complications, and should promote heart health, since diabetes may contribute to heart disease.
Basic Guidelines
Guidelines for a healthy diabetes diet are similar to those for basic wellness. Your diet should consist of 45 to 65 percent carbohydrates, 25 to 35 percent fat and 12 to 20 percent protein, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Choose healthiest foods from each food group most often. Optimum carbohydrate sources provide ample fiber and include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Healthy fat can be reaped from nuts, seeds, avocados, plant-based oils and fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Nutritious protein-rich options include lean red meat, skinless white-meat poultry, fish, egg whites and low-fat dairy products.
Problem Foods
While most any food can fit within your diabetes eating plan in appropriate amounts and proportion, limiting potentially damaging foods may enhance your wellness significantly. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that no more than 7 percent of your calories stem from saturated-fat sources, such as fatty red meat, processed meats and whole milk, and that trans-fats, found in margarine, shortening and commercially prepared snack foods, account for no more than 1 percent. Refined carbohydrate sources, such as enriched breads, pasta, cereals and sugar, may disrupt blood sugar levels and leave less room for nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains, in your diet.
Meal Plans
Choosing a diabetes-friendly meal plan that suits your needs and preferences can help ensure your wellness. A glycemic index plan emphasizes low-glycemic foods, or foods that have a mild impact on your blood sugar levels. The plate method involves filling 1/2 of your meal plates with non-starchy vegetables and fruits, 1/4 with a protein source, such as grilled fish, and 1/4 with a starch, such as bread or pasta. This method emphasizes balanced nutrition and portion control. You may also use the exchange method, which separates foods into six categories then allows you to choose a particular number of foods from each group according to your dietitian's recommendations. Regardless of the plan you select, the American Diabetes Association recommends choosing primarily nutritious, unprocessed foods and adhering to proper portion sizes that promote blood sugar balance.
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