Your body uses glucose molecules to give you energy. Your cells require insulin before they allow glucose in, however. Think of the mechanism as a lock and key -- insulin is the key that allows glucose in. When you have diabetes, you do not have enough insulin or your body cannot use it in the right manner to help usher glucose into your cells. To compensate for this change in body function, you can alter your diet to keep your blood sugar levels consistent.
Sugar
Although sugar is not completely forbidden from a diabetic's diet, it is something that should be restricted. This is because foods high in sugar, such as cookies, cakes or pies, have a lot of glucose in them. When your insulin is insufficient or doesn't work well, this can leave a significant amount of glucose built up in your body. Instead, treat sugar-containing foods and beverages as occasional treats. When you do eat them, choose small servings that satisfy your sweet tooth, yet help you maintain blood sugar levels.
Carbohydrates
While you may not view a potato or apple as sugar, this is how the body perceives them. This is because fruits, grains, potatoes and corn all contain carbohydrates, the building blocks of sugars. While sugars found in desserts are simple carbohydrates that are broken down quickly, those found in breads and fruits are complex carbohydrates, which take longer to break down.
Counting Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates are still an important part of your diet, but your physician may recommend a practice known as counting carbohydrates. This involves being aware of how many carbohydrates you can eat in a day, then portioning them out to the meals and snacks you eat regularly. Once you get your diet balanced where you can maintain steady blood sugar levels, you may not need to count carbohydrates anymore. Just as with simple carbohydrates, you do not need to completely restrict carbohydrates from your diet. Instead, you can plan wisely to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Fats
Fats are often restricted in a diabetes diet because diabetics are at a higher risk for developing heart disease. This risk can be elevated through a high-fat diet. While you should consume healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil, nuts and avocados in moderation, restrict unhealthy fat sources. This includes options like full-fat milk, eggs and red meat. Reducing the amount of unhealthy fats in your diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, thus reducing diabetes-related symptoms.
