Individuals with diabetes need to maintain a healthy diet in order to control their blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels puts individuals with diabetes at increased risk for heart disease, kidney failure and nerve damage. The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit organization that promotes patient education, provides information about diet plans that can help individuals with Type 2 diabetes better manage their condition.
Foods to Eat
Simple carbohydrates such as table sugar, corn syrup and breads made from white flour can have a big impact on our blood sugar levels. To avoid drastic increases in blood sugar, the Mayo Clinic recommends that individuals with diabetes eat more complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and low-fat dairy products. Fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber, which has an added cardiovascular benefit. Individuals with diabetes should also consume healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in salmon, almonds, avocados, pecans, walnuts, olive and peanut oils.
Foods to Avoid
Individuals with diabetes should avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol because they contribute to heart disease. Avoid foods like butter, whole dairy products and other sources of animal protein. Sodium intake should also be restricted to less than 2,000 mg per day because it is associated with high blood pressure.
Example Diet Plans
The Mayo Clinic does not have one specific diet plan for individuals with diabetes. Instead, they discuss multiple options you can discuss with your doctor. Since simple carbohydrates have a big impact on blood sugar levels, one option is to develop a plan to count your carbohydrate intake. Working with a dietitian, you can find a carbohydrate level which works for you. Keep track of how much you are consuming throughout the day and be sure not to exceed your recommended levels. Another option is to develop an exchange system which replaces bad foods in your diet for healthier options. For example, if you currently eat whole milk, you can exchange it for skim or soy milk. Lastly, you can eat foods based on their glycemic index, or GI. The GI of a food is a measure of that foods impact on blood sugar levels. Eat foods like whole grains that have a low GI.
Conclusion
The diet plans discussed by the Mayo Clinic can help you better manage your diabetes. However, there are other options available that may work better for your individual needs. Be sure to talk to your doctor and your dietitian before starting any diet plan so they can more closely monitor your diet and your condition.
