Following the correct meal plan is important if you have type 2 diabetes. Moderate weight loss can help reduce the amount of medication you take, and help you control the complications of this disease. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body does not make enough insulin, or your body does not recognize the insulin in your blood. Choosing the right foods, and maintaining the ideal weight help your body balance your blood sugar. Following a special, well-balanced diet is the first step in managing diabetes type 2.
Diabetes Food Pyramid
General recommendations from the diabetes food pyramid can help you plan balanced meals. The base of the pyramid is grains, beans and starchy vegetables. Consuming 6 or more servings of grains, rice, beans and other starchy foods helps you get fiber and healthy carbohydrates. Fresh or frozen vegetables add flavor without adding fat to your meals. You can enjoy 3 to 5 servings daily. An additional 2 to 4 servings of fruit is encouraged daily. Milk and dairy products like yogurt and low-fat cheese is permitted for 2 servings. Two to three servings of fish or poultry daily are included in this pyramid. By choosing more whole foods and less processed foods, you will lose weight and eat healthier meals that help control your blood sugar.
Mediterranean Diet
A study published in the September 2009 issue of the "Annals of Internal Medicine" compared a low-carbohydrate Mediterranean-style diet with a low-fat diet to see if there was a difference in the need for drug therapy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics. After 4 years, researchers found the low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet provided greater weight loss and better blood sugar control. This diet delayed the need for drug therapy and reduced cardiac risk factors in the participants of the study.
High Fiber Vegetarian Diet
A study published in December 2009 in "Diabetes Care" compared a high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet with a high-monounsaturated fat low-carbohydrate diet to see how blood sugar reacted. Researchers concluded that a high-carbohydrate high-fiber diet, based on legumes, whole cereals, vegetables and fruit, provided better glucose control and reduced cardiac risks than the high-monounsaturated fat low-carbohydrate diet.
Food Exchanges and Carbohydrate Counting
A dietitian can help you determine your daily calorie levels and carbohydrate needs. Once you know the daily amounts, you can create a meal plan that fits your energy needs and taste preferences. Tracking the amount of carbohydrates you consume can help you keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. Knowing how many grams of carbohydrate certain foods contain gives you more choices when planning your meals. The exchange system of meal planning is based on food groups. You have a set amount of starchy foods, vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy and fat allowed daily. You choose from any food within the group to meet the allowed servings. For example, for a starch exchange, you can choose rice, bread, cereal or potato. This gives you freedom to enjoy your favorite foods, while staying within the guidelines for your special diabetic diet.
References
- Medline Plus; Diabetes Diet- Type 2; Sept. 3, 2009
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Effects of a Mediterranean-Style Diet on the Need for Antihyperglycemic Drug Therapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial; K. Esposito, et al.; September 2009
- "Diabetes Care"; Effects of a Plant-Based High-Carbohydrate/High-Fiber Diet Versus High--Monounsaturated Fat/Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Postprandial Lipids in Type 2 Diabetic Patients; C. De Natale, et al.; December 2009
- American Dietetic Association: Diabetes and Diet
