Diabetes is a disease characterized by blood sugar levels that are too high. Blood sugar is also referred to as blood glucose. Cells use glucose for energy, and they get it from the bloodstream. Insulin helps blood glucose to get into the cells; however, for people with diabetes, their bodies either do not produce enough insulin or their bodies doesn't use the insulin effectively. Diabetics are at risk for stroke and heart disease. Those risks are increased even more by high blood pressure. A diet to reduce high blood pressure, or hypertension, can reduce those risks.
DASH Diet
The acronym DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet is compatible with meal plans for people who have diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, as many as two out of three Americans with diabetes have high blood pressure.
Dietary Approach
The DASH diet focuses on foods that are low in cholesterol, saturated fat and total fat. It emphasizes the use of low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Sodium
The DASH diet has a low daily allowance of sodium, 2,400 milligrams, which is the equivalent of one teaspoon of salt. This means those who follow the diet should not add salt to their food. They need to read nutrition labels to discover the sodium content of in foods, and perhaps reduce consumption of them.
Other DASH Points
The DASH diet is rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium. It restricts the use of red meats and sugar. Poultry, nuts and fish are sources of protein in the DASH diet.
Insulin Sensitivity
A study that was published in 2004 by "Diabetes Care," a journal, showed that insulin sensitivity increased by 50 percent for people on the DASH diet. This is an improvement for people with diabetes because their bodies are less sensitive to insulin. The study also suggested that blood sugar levels were better controlled as a result.
