Diabetes leaves you unable to produce the varying increments of insulin needed to gain energy from glucose. Because of this, diabetics must take into account when planning their diet, appropriate calorie and nutrient intake if they are participating in insulin therapy or not. As diagnosed diabetics probably know, the crucial rule is to avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates and greasy, fried foods. But Type 1 diabetics must balance food intake with the medicine they take.
General Diabetic Guidelines
A balance of insulin, carbohydrates and exercise maintains appropriate glucose levels in the blood. Complex carbohydrates are recommended, especially vegetables in the "Food Exchange Group A." These include broccoli, whole grain cereal, cabbage, spinach, asparagus, celery and string beans which slow down the emptying of the stomach and the body`s absorption of carbs and balances the absorption of sugars in the blood. A high-fat diet is often a high-calorie diet because a gram of fat contains nine calories (a gram of protein or carbohydrate has four). The American Diabetes Association (ADA) puts a cap at 35 percent of daily calories. Substitute polyunsaturated fats for saturated fats when possible, such as choosing fish and poultry. The HCF (high-carbohydrate high plant-fiber) diet is preferable for diabetics because it is high in root vegetables, cereal grains and legumes while leaving out simple sugar and fats.
Insulin Diet
For diabetics taking insulin, in addition to the benefits of good dietary habits, meal planning can affect the frequency and dosage of injections required. Insulin releases needed sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. If your doctor approves your taking an insulin injection shortly before eating you can plan meals in advance to achieve a consistent percentage of nutrients. This will help you to reach a likewise consistent, adequate insulin dosage. Erratic varieties in your daily diet will likely cause fluctuations that make it difficult to identify the needed insulin intake. (The average Type 1 needs approximately a ratio of 16 calories to a pound of body weight, with carbohydrates making up less than 50 percent of those calories.)
Plan Ahead
Keep food journals recording your meals and glucose test results to create a constantly evolving and improving diet that will help you reach the proper nutritional balance. If you have a carefully laid out meal plan you can alter insulin intake to allow a high-carb meal or occasional dessert. Keep appropriate snacks on hand if you experience an unexpected dip in blood sugar and resulting low glucose levels. Eating on a regular schedule will take guesswork out of the equation and provide consistency in your system to help keep your diabetes under control.
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