Nutrition tips for diabetics

 Nutrition is the process of eating, absorbing, and using foods to nourish the body and maintain good health. Diabetes treatment is centered on controlling the level of sugar or glucose in the blood. This is done using diet, exercise, and sometimes medicine. What is eaten is directly related to the amount of sugar in the blood. Right food choices help to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range.

There is no one diet that is suggested for all diabetics. The healthcare provider must recommend the right diet for each person based on their needs. Anyone with diabetes should ask to be referred to a registered dietitian, who can work out a specific meal-planning guide.

The diabetic diet needs to fit the person's lifestyle. A good meal- plan will fit in with their schedule and eating habits. The meal plan helps if the person with diabetes needs to gain weight, lose weight, or maintain weight. It will also help keep the blood sugar in control, and prevent heart and blood vessel disease.

Guidelines for good diabetes control:

• Plan to eat meals and snacks the same time everyday. This helps keep blood sugar stable, and helps the insulin work better.
• Check blood sugar levels to learn how certain foods and beverages affect those levels. In the future, choices will be easier, if you know how a certain food affects the blood sugar.
• Many providers and dieticians recommend using the Exchange diets. This gives options in planning meals. Follow these closely for variety and correct amounts of food.
• The main nutrients in food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. All of these are needed every day.
• Carbohydrates give energy. Healthy choices of carbohydrates include, dried beans, peas, lentils, whole grain breads, cereals, crackers, fruits, and vegetables.
• Protein is needed for growth and is a back-up source of energy. Choose lean meats like fish, chicken without the skin, and low-fat dairy products.
• Fat in limited amounts is necessary. Fat is easy to eat because it is in many foods. Red meat, dairy products, egg yolks, butter, salad dressing, vegetable oils, and desserts all contain fat. But they should be eaten in very limited amounts. Always choose the low fat versions of these foods.
• The diabetic diet should be low in fat, salt, and sugar; and high in fiber.
• Fiber is healthy. It comes from vegetables, fruits, bran cereals, cooked beans, peas, and whole-grain bread.
• Too much salt can make high blood pressure higher. Salt is in most foods, so use very sparingly.
• Eat less sugar. Some sugar is allowed as long as it is part of the total meal plan.
• Check with a healthcare provider to see if alcohol is allowed. If so, use in moderation; no more than 2 drinks a day for a man and 1 drink a day for a woman. Never drink on an empty stomach. Alcohol can lower blood sugar. Any alcohol choices need to be worked into the meal plan.
• A major goal of diabetes treatment is to bring blood sugar levels as close to normal as is safely possible. This will help the diabetic feel better. Normal blood sugar helps to prevent or delay complications from diabetes, such as nerve, eye, kidney, heart, and blood vessel damage.
• A blood test, glycated hemoglobin or A1c (also known as HbA1c) gives the average blood sugar control for the past 2 to 3 months. The American Diabetes Association recommends keeping the A1c below 7 percent.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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