Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the cells of your body cannot process blood sugar in the normal way. Some people have diabetes because their bodies do not produce insulin. Other people have diabetes because, even though their bodies make insulin, they do not produce enough or their bodies do not use it correctly. No matter the cause of your diabetes, you can take control of the foods you eat to keep your blood sugar levels as normal as possible.
Blood Glucose Levels
When you are diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor or nutritionist will set you up with a blood glucose monitor and instruct you on when and how often you should check your blood sugar. If you check your blood sugar before you eat, your glucose level should be between 70 and 130. When you check your blood sugar one or two hours after you eat, or postprandially, your blood glucose level should be below 180.
Calories
Calorie restriction is an important part of a diabetes nutrition plan. Small women should restrict calories to 1,200 to 1,600 per day. Larger women or medium-sized men who want to lose weight should eat 1,600 to 2,000 calories a day. If you are a medium or large-sized person with a physically demanding job, you can eat between 2,000 and 2,400 calories each day. Track your daily calories in a paper or online journal.
The Plate Method
Beyond daily calories, the types of foods you choose to eat can impact your blood sugar. One method recommended by the American Diabetes Association to meet your nutritional needs is to segment your plate. Fill half of your plate with vegetables with low starch content, such as spinach, cabbage, broccoli, okra and cucumbers. Mentally divide the other half of your plate into two sections. Add one serving of a complex carbohydrate food, such as brown rice, yam, beans or whole grain pasta. Fill the final quarter of your plate with a lean protein, such as chicken breast, fish or egg whites.
Carbohydrates
An important part of a nutritional plan for someone with diabetes is to carefully monitor carbohydrate intake. Many people with diabetes should average 45g to 60g of carbohydrates at each meal. If you choose to count your carbs, measure and count foods such as beans, milk, yogurt, potatoes, corn and sweets. Use food labels or an online nutrition calculator to count your carbohydrates. Make sure to eat a serving of protein and healthy fat with each meal as well.
