Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which your body cannot produce insulin to lower high glucose, or blood sugar, levels. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood and can cause serious health problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys and nerves and can lead to heart disease, stroke and even the removal of limbs. Proper diet and nutrition for patients with type 1 diabetes is key to living a healthy life.
Meal Planning
For patients with type 1 diabetes, it is important to know how many carbohydrates will be consumed before each meal so that they can determine how much insulin should be taken to maintain proper glucose levels. Proteins and fats also affect blood sugar levels, but not as fast as carbs. A registered dietitian can help decide the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats based on your diet, weight, how often you exercise and if there are existing health problems. No one diet plan works for everyone, so it is recommended that you speak with a doctor or a dietitian to find the right one for you and your needs.
Non-Starchy Vegetables
The American Diabetes Association does not use the diabetes food pyramid anymore as a meal planning tool. Instead, they have adopted the plate method, in which they suggest taking a dinner plate and drawing a line down the middle and then taking one side and placing another line, dividing the plate into three sections. Fill the largest section with non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, carrots, lettuce, green beans, broccoli, onions and cucumbers.
Starchy Foods
In a small section of the three-divided dinner plate, fill with whole grain breads such as whole wheat or rye, whole grain-high fiber cereal, cooked cereal such as oatmeal or grits, rice, pasta, potatoes, cooked beans or peas, and low-fat crackers or snack chips.
Meat or Meat Substitute
In the remaining third section of the plate, fill with chicken or turkey without the skin, tuna, salmon, cod, shrimp, clams, oysters, lean cuts of beef or pork, tofu, eggs, or low-fat cheese.
Dairy
Add an 8-oz. glass of low-fat or nonfat milk. If you are not a milk drinker, you can add another serving of carbohydrates or a 6-oz. container of yogurt to the meal.
Fruit
Have a piece of fruit or 1/2 cup of fruit salad to your meal. Fresh, frozen or canned in juice or frozen in a light syrup is also recommended.
