Diabetes is a condition in which your body either stops making insulin or is unable to respond to insulin that is present. In either case, cells are incapable of using glucose they need for energy. Symptoms of diabetes include a feeling of weakness or a general lack of energy, excessive thirst, constant hunger and weight loss. One of the best strategies for managing diabetes is to adhere to a healthy diet and avoid certain foods. Consult your doctor or a dietitian to develop a plan suitable for you.
Food and Blood Sugar
In diabetes, levels of blood sugar, or glucose, become abnormally high because insulin is unable to move glucose into cells where it is needed. The overall goal in treating diabetes is to reverse this situation, keeping blood sugar at modest levels and helping your cells obtain the energy they require. In developing a proper diet, it is important to choose foods that produce slow and steady rises in glucose as they are metabolized and to avoid those foods that cause a rapid, large increase in blood sugar.
Sugary Foods
Foods that are high in simple sugars cause a fast rise in blood sugar and are not healthy choices for diabetics. Check product labels for ingredients listed as sugar, brown sugar, molasses, honey, cane sugar, confectioner's sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. These are often added to sweetened sodas and fruit drinks, sweetened cereals, baked goods, candies, sweet desserts and other sweet-tasting foods. Avoid these foods, replacing them with fresh fruit, or with sugar-free or artificially sweetened foods.
Starchy Foods
Starch is a polysaccharide, composed of many simple sugars chemically linked to each other. When you consume food high in starch, your body metabolizes it and a rapid rise in blood glucose results. Foods rich in starch include starchy vegetables such as corn, peas, potatoes and beans. Many processed foods, such as white bread, white pasta and baked goods also contain added starch in the form of refined white flour. Avoid these foods or eat them in small quantities. Instead, choose whole-grain foods such as whole-wheat breads, cereals and pasta that produce a slower, sustained rise in blood sugar.
Saturated and Trans Fats
Because diabetes increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, controlling your intake of fat is as important as regulating your carbohydrate. Avoid meats high in saturated fat such as steak, hot dogs, hamburger, bacon and sausage. Instead, choose skinless poultry or fish several times each week. Replace full-fat dairy products with reduced-fat versions, and check labels of prepared or processed foods for trans fats, which are unhealthy fats you should avoid. Wherever possible, replace butter or shortening in your recipes with healthy oils, such as olive or canola oils. The American Diabetes Association recommends that no more than 7 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fats.
