Dietary Considerations In Diabetes

So why does diet matter so much anyway?

In a nutshell - control. The goal is to design a meal plan that can help you achieve good blood sugar control, one that is as close to a normal person's blood sugar level as possible. That's sound Diabetes management, and eventually the path to more freedom.

If you are Diabetic, all you need to get started is a little information, discipline, and a big helping of common sense. But keep in mind that the facts, tips, and guidelines that follow are only the beginning. Your doctor or dietitian will provide information and guidance and help you develop the best diet plan for you.

Several systems are available to help you in meal planning, including exchange lists and carbohydrate counting. Your dietitian can advise you about these systems and how they work.

What to Eat and What to Avoid

You'll be pleased to learn how many different foods can be included in the diet of a person with Diabetes. Once you get into the habit of eating less fat and smaller portions of a variety of nutritious foods, you and your entire family will benefit.

Trim the Fat

In some parts of the world, people eat eight times as much fat as they need. Much of it is simply empty calories. The worst offenders are saturated fats - animal fats, palm oil and coconut oil - because of their high cholesterol content. Fat restriction is especially important for those with Diabetes because of cholesterol's link to heart disease.

Here are some tips on cutting fat consumption:

• Don't fry foods - bake, broil, poach, or saute in non-stick pans.
• Steam or microwave vegetables.
• Buy tuna packed in water, not oil.
• Cut back on cold cuts, nuts, gravy, and solid shortenings.
• Make ice cream, butter, and whole milk cheese an occasional treat. Substitute these frozen yogurt, soft margarine and low-fat milk dairy products.
• Eat less high-fat red meat and more low-fat turkey, fish, and chicken with the skin removed.

Avoid Sweets

Refined sugar (white sugar) is bad news for everyone. It's high in calories and uses up vitamins and minerals in the body during metabolism. People with Diabetes should avoid refined sugar, or at least limit its use in their diet.

Several kinds of artificial sweeteners are available. Saccharin, aspartame, and sorbitol are used in a wide variety of products - from diet sodas and chewing gum to candy and baked goods. However, there are other health concerns about each, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about these sweeteners.

With a Pinch of Salt

Restricting salt (sodium), which can raise blood pressure, is particularly important for people with Diabetes - as is anything that threatens the circulatory system. This means more than simply reducing salt intake at the table. It means limiting its use in cooking and watching out for hidden salt sources found in many types of processed foods.

• Limit the use of condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and salad dressing - they're high in salt and can be high in sugar, too.
• Rinse processed foods in water and, whenever possible, choose fresh foods over canned.
• Read labels carefully. For example, soy sauce and brine contain a lot of sodium.
• Substitute herbs and other low-salt spices for salty seasonings.
• Limit processed cheese, lunchmeat and cold cuts.

Fiber + Complex Carbohydrates = Better Health

Dietitians agree that we all need more fiber in our diets and should replace diets high in animal protein with meals high in complex carbohydrates. The benefits are numerous - improved digestion and elimination, lowered blood cholesterol and blood pressure, and perhaps even an increased sensitivity to insulin.

• Choose whole grain cereals, breads, and other products such as brown rice, kasha, bulgur, and barley.
• Eat fresh vegetables and fruits, unpeeled.
• Overcooking vegetables breaks down fiber, so learn to avoid that.

More Tips for Eating Right

Timing is Important

You'll need to keep to a schedule of meals to maintain blood sugars at the proper level and reduce the chance of a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) emergency. Meals should never be skipped. If you are unable to eat your full meal on time, be sure you eat a snack as soon as possible to keep your blood sugar in balance.

Remember, consistent mealtimes are simply another good habit all of us should develop.

What's the Ideal?

• Calories - Your dietitian will help determine how many daily calories are best for you. Once you know the number, stick to it as much as possible. But don't be too hard on yourself if you over-indulge once in a while.
• Portion Sizes -You'll need to weigh or measure portions until you learn to judge their size. Carry your meal guide with you until you know it by heart.
• Limit Alcohol-The less alcohol, the better. If you do have a drink, have it with food. Be sure to count the calories in any alcohol consumed. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar rapidly, so take precautions when having a drink. Talk to your health care team for guidelines on alcohol use.

Five Basic Principles

1. Be Consistent.

The daily meal plan should be relatively consistent in the total calorie intake and in the balancing of basic the food groups: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

2. Compensate for Special Activities.

Eat extra food when you are planning extra or unusual physical activity. Likewise, if you over-indulge at a meal, compensate with extra insulin or physical activity.

3. Avoid Hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar can be caused by eating rapidly absorbed simple sugars (like candy or non-diet soda). Learn to recognize its causes and symptoms.

4. Avoid Hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can be avoided by eating meals at consistent times and balancing food intake with insulin and exercise.

5. Test Your Blood Sugar.

It is advisable to routinely test blood sugar (glucose) levels before meals. Self-monitoring of blood glucose is the tool that will help you avoid low or high blood sugar and provide guidance for eating.