Insulin Dependent Diabetic Nutrition Fact Sheet

Insulin dependent diabetes, also called Type 1 or juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas produces an insufficient amount of insulin or no insulin, the hormone the body needs to metabolize blood glucose. Your body converts carbohydrates and sugars in your diet into glucose, the sugar molecule your cells need for energy. Closely watching your diet and monitoring your blood glucose and insulin levels are essential to managing diabetes.

Scope

Approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of diabetics -- more than 700,000 in the United States -- have Type 1 diabetes. The disease usually begins in childhood, hence the term "juvenile diabetes."

Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms of insulin-dependent diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, fatigue and weight loss. Many Type 1 diabetics can experience ketoacidosis as a result of cellular deficiency of glucose. Ketoacidosis is when the body breaks down fat instead of glucose for energy. This condition can cause abdominal pain, rapid breathing, drowsiness and a sweet odor on the breath. If left untreated, ketoacidosis can cause coma and death. Insulin-dependent diabetics require daily insulin to reduce blood glucose and transport the sugar molecule from the blood into body cells. Balancing blood sugar in your diet and the amount of insulin to inject into your body requires lifelong vigilance to manage diabetes, minimize symptoms and prevent complications that could include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.

Foods to Eat

Foods containing sugar can stimulate levels of blood glucose and affect the amount of insulin you need. Low glycemic foods, such as peanuts, barley, low-fat yogurt, grapefruit, and legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas and soybeans, contain sugar that is slowly absorbed into your blood and causes minimal fluctuation in blood glucose. Healthy fats, especially monounsaturated fat from olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts and cold-water, fatty fish -- such as salmon, herring, sardines and rainbow trout -- may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Foods to Avoid

High glycemic foods, such as white bread, white rice, corn chips and baked potatoes, rapidly increase your blood glucose levels and can increase your risk of complications. Unhealthy fats that include saturated fat from meat and dairy products, and trans fats from processed and fast foods, increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Ask your doctor about the best diet to manage your diabetes.