Diabetic Diet

What Is a Diabetic Diet?

Good diabetes control means keeping your blood-sugar level as close to normal as possible. You need to maintain a proper balance between the insulin you produce or receive in a shot and the sugar your body makes out of the food you eat. You should maintain a nutritious, healthy diet that would be good for anyone. The main differences are that your diet contains limited or no added sugar that could raise blood-sugar levels too high, specifies the amount of food to be eaten, and sets specific times to eat for regulatory purposes. You should also maintain a proper weight.

What should I eat?

Eat foods from the six main food groups--milk, meat, vegetables, breads, fats, and fruits. Most diabetic meal plans list foods in terms of exchanges. Exchanges are units of measure that help you keep calories and types of foods controlled but allow variety by letting you trade one exchange for another food in the same group. Within each food group, serving sizes are adjusted to provide about the same amount of calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

Isn't fat bad for you? Why can I eat fruits but not sugars?

Fat is a nutrient, and you need some fat in your diet. But too much fat can be harmful for people with diabetes because it increases the risk of heart disease and hardening of the arteries. Follow these tips:
- Avoid "hidden" fat (e.g., creamy pasta sauces, gravies), fried foods, and high-fat salad dressings.
- Choose lean meats; eat more fish and skinned poultry. Eat liver or organ meats only occasionally.
- Use diet margarine instead of butter.
- Drink lowfat or nonfat milk.
- Limit intake of eggs to 2 or 3 a week.
People with diabetes should eat less sugar. Depending on your individualized plan, some fruits may be encouraged because they provide fiber and carbohydrates for energy.

What foods should I stay away from?

Besides monitoring your intake of fats and sugars, you may need to restrict your intake of salt too. You should avoid other "ready sweets" like candy, jam, jelly, syrup, most cakes, pies and pastries, regular soda, jello, condensed milk, and sweet pickles.

What about packaged foods?

Learn to read and understand food labels. A dietetic label does not necessarily mean that the product is intended for diabetics. Labels list food ingredients in the order of relative quantity. Check food labels of all products. Avoid those that contain hidden sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, glucose, sorbitol, fructose, dextrose, corn syrup, invert sugar, and lactose. Consult your doctor or nutritional counselor before buying foods that are labeled fat free.

You can still enjoy eating out at restaurants. Choose restaurants that are sensitive to the current public interest in fitness and nutrition. Here are a few ideas to keep your blood sugar under control:
- Order fruits as either a dessert or an appetizer.
- Ask for your salad dressing "on the side" so that you can control the portion.
- Make sure your meat or fish course is broiled, baked, roasted, or poached--never fried!
- Avoid foods that may have unknown ingredients (e.g., foods with sauces).
- Ask how your food will be prepared.
- Some fast food restaurants can give you written information about their ingredients and are written with diabetic concerns in mind. The American Diabetes Association can also provide information.

What about alcohol?

Talk to your doctor before drinking alcohol. If your doctor says you may drink some alcohol, you will most likely only be able to have one or two alcoholic drinks, 1 or 2 times a week. The drink can be either a mixed drink with 1 1/2 oz of alcohol, 4 oz of dry wine, or 12 oz of light beer. If you have type I diabetes, eat before you drink any alcohol to avoid low blood sugar and hypoglycemia. Alcohol interferes with glucose production in the liver, which is the glucose used by the body during an episode of hypoglycemia. Even if you eat, hypoglycemia can still occur several hours later, so follow your meal plan and check your blood sugar. Alcohol does have calories.

Do not add fruit juice or sweetened mixers to alcohol; use diet soft drinks, club soda, seltzer, and water. Avoid drinks containing sugars or starches, such as beer and sweet wines.

Alcohol can also cause low blood sugar in some people with type II diabetes who take oral medications. The combination of medication and alcohol may cause flushed skin in some people.

It is all right to cook with alcohol. When alcohol is heated, most of the alcohol evaporates. This leaves few calories but adds flavor to the food in which it is cooked.

How will other medications affect my alcohol intake?

You must check with your doctor about how alcohol may affect other medication you are taking. Remember too that your judgment and control will be impaired after a few drinks. You may forget an injection, forget to eat, or eat too much. To be safe, follow these tips:
- Before you start drinking, decide how much you will eat and drink.
- Put less alcohol in your mixed drinks.
- Drink slowly; make one drink last.
- Do not drink and drive.