Diabetes is a metabolic condition characterized by the body's inability to utilize glucose, which is often referred to as blood sugar. Although the specific mechanism may differ, each type of diabetes causes abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood. If you do not properly manage your diabetes, you put yourself at risk for serious health complications.
Types of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas either produces too little insulin or the insulin production is normal, but the cells do not respond properly to the hormone. This is referred to as insulin resistance. People with type 1 diabetes cannot survive without insulin administration. People with type 2 diabetes may be able to completely control their blood sugar levels with the proper diet.
Considerations
Many people think that if you are diabetic it means that you have to follow a completely restricted diet. That is not the case. The most important dietary measure that you can take is to plan your meals. You should try to eat the same amount of food at approximately the same time each day. It can be extremely beneficial to work with a dietitian to determine your needs for calories and how much of these calories should come from carbohydrates, protein and fats. Once you determine your needs, meeting them daily can help prevent rapid increases or decreases in blood sugar. Carbohydrates contain glucose, which raises your blood sugar quickly, so carbohydrate intake should be monitored closely. In addition to monitoring your carbohydrates, you should consume a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
Carbohydrate Counting
Carbohydrate counting involves determining how many grams of carbohydrates you need per day and then making sure to keep track of how many carbohydrates you consume. The carbohydrates you eat should be spread out evenly throughout the course of the day. This can provide your body with a steady supply of glucose and help keep your blood sugar levels steady. The American Diabetes Association recommends starting between 45 to 60 g of carbohydrates per meal and then adjusting your needs based on how your body reacts.
Exchange Lists
The American Diabetes Association provides a diabetic tool called an exchange list. The exchange list groups foods into categories based on their nutritional content. Foods that have a similar nutritional content are grouped together. The categories include starches, fats, very lean protein, lean protein, medium-fat protein, fruits, vegetables and milk. The foods are also broken down into serving sizes. Each serving size from a specific group counts as one exchange. A dietitian can help you determine how many exchanges from each group you should eat on a daily basis.
