Your diet when you have type 2 diabetes should be well-rounded with regular mealtimes. If you are a type 2 diabetic, you need to put in place eating practices that control your blood sugar levels. When you have too much sugar in your blood, organ damage and other complications from diabetes can occur. If you lose weight, you can also help control your blood sugar levels.
Significance
Carbohydrates need to be controlled when you have type 2 diabetes. A dietitian will let you know how many carbohydrates you are permitted each day. Foods made from refined sugars and flours are only consumed on a limited basis. Instead, complex carbohydrate food options are eaten to meet your body's energy needs. Allowed foods include whole grain bread, whole grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas and low fat or fat free dairy products.
Types
Saturated fat on a diabetic diet should only make up seven percent of your daily calorie intake. Avoid fast food, fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, bacon, hot dogs, full fat dairy products and sausage. Foods with trans fat should be avoided completely. Foods high in trans fat are cookies, cakes, pastries, margarine and shortening. The fat in your diet should instead come from unsaturated fat sources, such as fish, nuts, avocado, olive oil, canola oil and olives.
Considerations
In some cases, your doctor may recommend a very low calorie diet in order to manage your type 2 diabetes. Very low calorie diets produce rapid weight loss as a way to prevent serious medical issues. For several weeks, your doctor will supervise you as you eat fewer than 1,000 calories each day. Instead of solid foods, you may be recommended meal replacements, such as shakes, meal bars and soups.
Solution
Exchange diets are eating plans with the type 2 diabetic in mind. On an exchange diet, foods are broken down into carbs, fats and meats. Each food in the exchange group has approximately the same amount of carbs, fats, proteins and calories. For instance, instead of a small apple, you can exchange it for 4tsp of jelly.
