Your pancreas makes insulin to help muscle, fat and liver cells pull glucose out of your blood. If you have diabetes, you either do not make enough insulin or your body does not respond efficiently to it. Consequently, you are at risk for having chronically high blood glucose levels, which can damage your arteries, kidneys and retinas. One important aspect of treating diabetes is making changes to your diet; using the glycemic index to guide what you eat can help you use your diet to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
Step 1
Look up the glycemic index for all of the foods you eat. The glycemic index for food is determined by measuring the change in the blood glucose levels of a volunteer after he eats a certain amount of the food and comparing it to a "control" food, such as white bread or glucose, the Linus Pauling Institute explains. Thus, you will need to look up the glycemic index information for foods. One good resource for this information is the Glycemic Index website, which has a searchable database.
Step 2
Increase your intake of foods with a low glycemic index and avoid foods with a high glycemic index. Low glycemic index foods are those that have a glycemic index of less than 55, the American DIabetes Association reports, and includes sweet potatoes, pasta, oatmeal, pumpernickel bread and most fruits and vegetables. Foods with a glycemic index over 70, such as bagels, white bread, Russet potatoes, short-grain white rice, pretzels, melons and pineapple are considered high glycemic index foods. Following a diet with a low glycemic index can help prevent or treat Type 2 diabetes, the Linus Pauling Institute explains.
Step 3
Limit your carbohydrate intake. According to the American Diabetes Association, while the glycemic index can help you regulate your blood glucose levels, the amount of carbohydrates you eat, regardless of their type, also has a potent effect on the amount of sugar in your blood. The American Diabetes Association recommends consuming between 45 to 60 g of carbohydrates at each meal.
Step 4
Avoid foods high in calories and fat. Although the glycemic index is a useful tool for monitoring your blood glucose levels, its emphasis on carbohydrates means that it does not consider the amount of calories or fat in foods, reports Mayo Clinic.com. Foods high in fat, particularly saturated fat, can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a major complication of diabetes. It is also critical to limit the number of calories you eat, as developing and maintaining a healthy weight is also important for treating diabetes.
