According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1.9 million people over the age of 20 and 215,000 people under the age of 20 were diagnosed with diabetes in 2010. Diabetes is a common medical condition that affects the way your body utilizes glucose. Untreated diabetes can result in persistently high blood glucose levels, leaving you susceptible to infection and increasing your risk of many medical illnesses, including heart disease. A diabetic diet that emphasizes nutrition and helps regulate blood glucose is your first step in controlling your blood glucose levels.
Background
Diabetes is a disease process that affects the way your body processes sugar. As sugar, or glucose, provides the fuel for the cells that compose your muscles and organs, appropriate glucose levels are extremely important for good health. Insulin is the hormone that allows glucose to be transported into your cells. When your body does not produce enough insulin, or when the cells do not respond to insulin appropriately, glucose builds up in your bloodstream and is unable to be utilized as fuel. According to the National Institutes of Health, your blood glucose should be between 70 and 30 before you eat a meal and less than 180 one to two hours after eating a meal.
Food Amount
The amount of food that you need to eat will depend on your size and activity level, so your physician can help guide you in terms of exact amounts. If you need 1600 calories per day, approximately six servings should be starches, three vegetables, two fruits, two dairy products and 4 to 6 oz. of meat. Serving sizes can be deceiving, particularly since packaged food or food from restaurants often comes in multiple servings per package. One slice of bread, 1 small potato, or 1/3 cup of rice is the equivalent of one serving of starch. A serving of vegetables may include 1/2 cup of cooked carrots or 1 cup of raw salad. Four to six ounces of meat is a piece of chicken the size of the palm of your hand.
Food Selection
Starches such as bread, grains and pasta are high in carbohydrates, which may increase blood glucose quickly because they are easily broken down into sugar. While you can eat starches on a diabetic diet, you should eat them in moderation. Choosing whole grain products with higher levels of fiber may help regulate your blood glucose. Vegetables, such as broccoli, lettuce, carrots, spinach and peppers, contain very little carbohydrate and do not cause blood glucose fluctuations. Fruits do contain carbohydrate, but high fiber fruits, such as apples and pears, may help stabilize blood glucose levels. Choosing low-fat and fat-free dairy products helps to control weight gain. Finally, eat red meat sparingly and substitute with chicken and fish when possible. Eating foods from each food group at every meal can help optimize your nutrition and keep your blood glucose levels normal.
Benefits
Keeping your blood glucose level normal will help you feel better in the short-term and help to prevent long-term complications. High blood sugar levels may leave you feeling fatigued and can cause symptoms of frequent urination, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting. Low blood sugar levels can result in symptoms of shaking, nausea, dizziness and even seizures. If your blood sugar levels are chronically high, you will be more susceptible to infection, nerve damage, eye damage and cardiovascular disease. If your blood glucose levels cannot be controlled by diet alone, medications are available to improve your blood glucose control.
