Diabetes Diet Plan

It is extremely important to recognize the important role diet plays in controlling diabetes. As we all know, apart from being a disease itself, diabetes also leads to other serious ailments, some of them even life-threatening in nature. In order to control diabetes, it is wise to have a suitable diet plan to be used either alone or with insulin or oral hypoglycemic medicines. A suitable diabetes diet plan aims to maintain a diabetic's body weight within an ideal level and at the same time provides sufficient nutrition and normal blood sugar levels in his/her blood.

The diabetes diet plan for a person is determined depending on his/her weight, height, age, gender, level of physical activity and nature of diabetes. When a dietician finalizes the diet plan foe a patient, he/she takes into account the diabetic's other possible complications like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels etc. It is only after considering these factors that a dietician can assess the amount of calories to be given. In this way, a dietician chooses the appropriate proteins, fats, carbohydrates, the amount of fiber and decides on other relevant things like scheming the carbohydrates.

Diabetes can be generally classified into three types: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and Gestational diabetes. The diet plan will be different for different categories of diabetics.

For example, the diet plan for a Type1 diabetic should be designed in such a way that it maintains a balance between insulin and the food intake. A Type 1 diabetic always needs insulin treatment to keep the disease under control. The primary objective of a diet plan for a Type 2 diabetic should be to control weight so that the body can utilize more insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, proper diet and physical exercise alone can control the disease. A gestational diabetes diet plan, however, focuses on adequate energy and nutrients to support both the mother's body and growing baby and maintains stable blood glucose levels for the expectant mother.

The objective of diabetes diet plan is to have a balanced, portion-controlled meal that helps our body to remain on an even keel even as the components of each meal get into our system. It is ideal to have five or six small meals at an interval of say, two to three hours, than having two or three elaborate meals everyday. A diabetic should also do some light physical exercise after each meal to prevent a spike in sugar levels. If we succeed in having the right servings from each food category at each meal, these food items will break down at varying rates, releasing a steady trickle of sugar into our bloodstream to maintain stability in our energy level.

An ideal diabetes diet plan should include a combination of foods. The requirements of a diabetic will depend on the time of day and his/her level of physical activity. A sample diabetes diet plan may include one serving of protein (3 oz of chicken, for example), one serving of bread, one serving of dairy (for example, cheese or milk), one serving vegetables, and one serving fruit (preferably half a cup sliced). As a little bit of unsaturated fat is required, a small dressing or a pat of soft margarine can be added. But make sure you stay away from sweets. Let the fruit be your dessert.

• Emma Bullock
• 20/03/2009, 4:59 PM
• 0 Comments