There are two different kinds of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Both kinds of diabetes involve the use of insulin and the amount of glucose in your blood. If diagnosed with diabetes in addition to taking any prescribed medication, you can eat a healthy diet to help keep the levels of glucose in your blood at a healthy rate. When deciding what type of diet to follow, be sure it is nutrient rich and allows you to eat frequently throughout the day.
Carbohydrates
When choosing your carbohydrates, make sure you are picking nutrient-rich sources. Quality is what matters most in this category. Carbohydrates break down to be starch and glucose. You need to monitor how frequently and when you are eating carbohydrates in coordination with any medicine you are taking. When picking carbohydrates, look for the healthiest forms such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans and low-fat dairy products.
Fiber Rich Foods
If you have diabetes, fiber-rich foods are your friends. Fiber absorbs the starch and sugar in your blood that your body can't absorb. It helps these nutrients to pass through your body without any build-up. Fiber also helps to lower cholesterol and your risk for heart disease. Fiber rich foods include vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. Specific foods such as spinach, apples, pears, oatmeal and oat bran are high in fiber.
Protein Sources
Certain animal sources of protein are high in saturated fat. This is one thing you'll want to avoid when creating your diabetes diet. Try to consume small amounts of red meat, or none at all, if possible. If you do buy red meat, look for the leanest cuts possible, with little visible fat. As an alternative to meat, try consuming fish at least twice a week. Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3's lower triglycerides promote heart health. Avoid high mercury fish such as tilefish, swordfish and king mackerel. Instead, try eating salmon, mackerel, tuna and herring.
Heart Healthy Fats
When you do consume fat, look for unsaturated fat sources that will lower your cholesterol levels. You'll want to limit your fat intake as it contains more calories, but heart-healthy sources are OK in moderation. Replace saturated and trans fats with unsaturated sources. One way to do this is by trying to cook and bake with olive oil in place of butter, margarine and shortening.
