Diabetes is a condition where your body is unable to control your blood sugar levels throughout the day. If you have diabetes, then you need to follow a diabetic diet to help keep your blood sugar levels in the ideal range. If you don't control your blood sugar levels, you could damage your kidneys and nerves or suffer a stroke or heart attack.
Diabetic Diet
According to the MayoClinic.com, a diabetes diet is not a restrictive diet, but a diet that is rich in nutrients, low in fat, low in calories, and has an emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It further states that this diet is good for anyone because of the types of foods that it contains. The basic purpose of a diabetic diet is to limit foods that cause spikes in blood glucose as well as provide the essential nutrients that your body needs to function optimally.
What to Eat
A diabetic diet should focus on plant foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains because they provide healthy forms of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. These foods are also full of essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fiber. In addition, you should eat lean meats, preferably fish and poultry. Fish provides essential omega-3 fatty acids -- a healthy form of unsaturated fat that can decrease the risk of developing heart disease. In addition to eating healthy foods, it is important that you eat at scheduled meal times to help control your blood glucose throughout the day. A dietitian will create a custom meal plan for your particular condition.
What to Avoid
Just as important as the types of food that you should eat are the foods that you should avoid. People with diabetes should avoid four main types of foods: refined grains, sugary drinks, saturated and trans fat and processed meat, states The Harvard School of Public Health. These foods tend to increase the risk of diabetes and can cause problems for those who already have the condition. Some examples of the types of foods to avoid include white bread, white rice and white pasta and sugary drinks like soda, fruit juice and energy drinks. Processed meat such as hot dogs, bacon and deli meats tend to have a large amount of saturated fat and should also be avoided. Baked goods, stick margarines and snacks contain trans fat. Reading the nutrition label on the foods that you eat can help you keep track of what you are putting into your body.
Considerations
A diabetic diet should be customized based on your body weight, level of physical fitness and the medications you take. Your doctor will work with a dietitian to develop a plan that works best for your situation. Generally speaking, however, the diabetic diet will replace fast foods, processed foods and fatty meat products with healthy choices like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and fish. The diet will also be tailored to provide adequate nutrients including vitamins, minerals and calories without causing spikes in blood glucose. In addition, your diet should be supported with physical exercise to help control your body weight.
