About 8 percent or Americans, or nearly 26 million people, have diabetes, according to 2011 information from the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects the way the body uses food for energy and development. By eating a diet suitable for this condition, you reduce your risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, neuropathy and other chronic problems.
About Diabetes
Much of the food we eat is broken down into a form of sugar known as glucose that is a primary source of energy for the body. With help from insulin in the bloodstream, glucose is transported to cells. Insulin is a hormone produced and released by the pancreas. In people with diabetes, the body either produces unstable levels of insulin or the cells do not react properly to insulin, resulting in excess glucose, which then gets excreted through urine without providing proper nourishment to cells. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies do not respond to insulin correctly. Diabetes is chronic, but treatable with certain lifestyle and dietary adjustments.
Diabetes Diet
A diet designed for people with diabetes, known as medical nutrition therapy, according to MayoClinic.com, refers to eating moderate amounts of nutritious foods at regular intervals. Medical nutrition therapy is rich in whole foods with high vitamin and nutrient contents and low in fat and calories, both of which promote the production of glucose and can interfere glucose management.
Suggested Foods
Protein should account for 15 to 20 percent of your total daily calories. More than that, according to nutritionist Jennifer Anderson, could result in kidney disease. Complex carbohydrates are an important part of an eating plan suitable for managing diabetes. Because carbs break down into blood glucose, diabetics need to keep track of the fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils and low-fat dairy products they consume. Recommendations for fiber intake are similar to the general population at 20 to 35 g a day from a variety of sources. Between 10 to 25 g should come from soluble fiber such as oat products and fruit. Good fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, can help lower cholesterol levels. These fats are found in avocados, certain nuts, olives, canola, peanut and olive oils.
Foods To Avoid
Total fat intake should be 30 to 35 percent of your total calorie intake per day. Limit saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of your calorie intake and less than 7 percent of calories for people with high cholesterol. Saturated fats come from animal products like red meat, hot dogs and bacon. You should avoid trans fats, which are used to make processed foods, baked snacks and stick margarine. Limit your cholesterol intake, from high-fat dairy products, egg yolks and liver, to less than 300 mg a day, or 200 mg a day for people with high cholesterol levels.
Considerations
No two diabetes-eating plans are exactly alike, according to nutrition specialists at the Colorado State University Extension. In addition to a moderately rigid food intake plan, you should to monitor your blood glucose frequently, which will give you an idea of when during the day your levels are low or elevated. Total calorie intake should be sufficient to maintain an appropriate amount of weight and prevent weight gain.
