If you have diabetes, your body either doesn't produce insulin or doesn't use it effectively. Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when your pancreas doesn't produce insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, type 1 diabetes may be hereditary, caused by a virus or could be related to early diet -- breastfed babies are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is often related to lifestyle factors such as obesity, eating and exercise habits. No matter which type of diabetes you have, your diet plays an important role in the treatment of your disease.
Carbohydrates and Diabetes
Carbohydrates have a greater impact on blood sugar than fat or protein, and most diabetic diets either encourage you to choose high-fiber carbs low on the glycemic index or have you limit carbs. When you consume too many carbs, your blood sugar may be too high, a condition called hyperglycemia. Chronic high blood sugar can weaken and damage blood vessels, causing serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney failure and blindness. There are three types of carbohydrates -- sugar, starch and fiber. Although sugar and starch should be limited, a high-fiber diet can actually help control glucose levels because fiber slows digestion and the rise of blood sugar.
Diabetes Exchange Diet -- Overview
Developed by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association, the exchange diet is suitable for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Foods are divided into seven categories: starches, proteins, vegetables, fruits, fats, dairy and a "free" category for foods such as condiments that have fewer than 20 calories per serving. Each category has a specific set of nutritional requirements that take calories, carb, fat, protein and fiber into account. For example, a starch exchange is 80 calories, 15 g of carbs, 5 g of protein and 2 to 3 g of fiber. It's called the exchange diet because you can exchange one food for another within the same category; however, foods can't be exchanged between categories.
Exchanges and Calories
The number of exchanges you'll eat from each category depends on your total overall caloric needs. If you're trying to lose weight and following a low-calorie diet, you may only be eating 1,200 calories per day. On the exchange diet, 1,200 calories would be five starch, four protein, two vegetable, three fruit, three fat and two dairy exchanges. Following a 2,000-calorie diet, you'd be allowed 11 starch, eight protein, four vegetable, three fruit, four fat and two dairy exchanges. Your age, gender, current weight, activity level and any other health concerns should be considered when choosing the number of calories you need daily.
Other Diet Tips
People with both types of diabetes are at an increased risk for heart disease and often have have blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels. Limiting sodium to no more than 1,500 mg daily will help relieve hypertension and lower blood pressure levels. You can lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels by choosing unsaturated fats such as olive oil instead of saturated fats such as butter and lard. Choose lean proteins such as chicken, turkey seafood and fish -- especially fish high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, which can help lower triglyceride levels.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Genetics of Diabetes
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: What I Need to Know About Eating and Diabetes
- University of Maryland Medical Center:Diabetes Diet -- Diabetic Exchange Lists
- MayoClinic.com; Your Diabetes Diet -- Exchange Lists; May 2010
- American Heart Association: Cooking for Lower Cholesterol
