Diet plays a major role in controlling diabetes. Although diabetics should follow certain guidelines, there is no specific diabetes diet, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you have diabetes, a dietitian can help you formulate an eating plan that works to keep your blood sugar stable and meets your specific nutritional needs.
Diabetes Diets
Nutritional therapy plays a role in controlling diabetes, but this can be different for each person. Your diet plan will depend largely on whether you have pre-diabetes, type-1 diabetes or type-2 diabetes. Those with type-1 diabetes and some people with type-2 diabetes require insulin injections or oral medication, while others do not.
Nutritional Needs
Carbohydrates are one of the most important factors in a diabetes meal plan. Because carbohydrates break down into glucose, they have the greatest effect on the level of glucose in your blood. Consuming the correct amount of carbohydrates at the correct time helps minimize glucose fluctuations. Your dietitian may recommend that you count carbohydrates and calories or use a food-exchange system to keep carbohydrates, fat, protein and calories in proportion. General nutritional guidelines call for 45 to 65 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 25 to 35 percent from healthy fats and 12 to 20 percent from protein. Nutritious sources of these nutrients include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, avocados, nuts, fish, poultry and soy.
Diabetic Considerations
If you have type-2 diabetes and are overweight, your doctor may recommend that you limit your calories or increase your fiber. The main objective of a healthy diabetes meal plan is to provide an optimal level of health while maintaining near-normal blood-glucose levels. Using the glycemic index can help you determine how much certain foods will affect your glucose levels.
Warnings
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that those with diabetes eat regular meals and carefully coordinate calorie consumption with insulin administration. Because diabetes creates specific dietary requirements, no single diet plan meets every diabetic's needs. Read food labels when you're creating meals. Glucose monitoring is important in regulating your glucose levels and can provide important information on the foods you should and shouldn't eat. Most people with diabetes should aim for a pre-meal glucose level of 90 to 130 mg/dL.
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