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A careful balance of food and body
chemistry…
Diabetics who take insulin must be careful to eat the exact
portions of food listed on their diabetic diet. It is prescribed
to take care of a certain amount of food, and if the correct
portion of food is not eaten, an insulin reaction can occur.
Diabetic Foods
Special "diabetic" or "dietetic" foods
usually cost more than regular food and don't control diabetes
any better. Eating regular food is just as effective, cheaper,
and lets everyone share the same meal.
However, when you have diabetes, it is important to read
a food label. It has three parts - "Nutrition Facts,"
"Percent Daily Value," and "Ingredients."
For diabetics, controlling the "Nutrition Facts"
part is your most important concern.
"Nutrition Facts" shows the calories and grams
of protein, fat and carbohydrates in the stated serving
size. Pay close attention to the total carbohydrate number
because almost all the carbohydrates you eat turn into blood
sugar. And the amount of carbohydrates eaten is more important
than the kind eaten.
"Sugar-free" and "no added sugar" means
that table sugar was not used in that food. But other sweeteners
that can turn into blood glucose may be in the food. So
"Sugar-free" and "no added sugar" foods
do not always control diabetes better than regular foods.
Be sure to read other terms on food labels carefully because
they may not mean what you think they mean. Consult your
healthcare provider or registered dietitian for more details
regarding food labels.
Why is a special diet needed for
diabetes?
The body does not produce enough insulin to use the sugar
obtained from digesting food.
A diabetic diet includes well-balanced meals and snacks
to help control blood sugar levels.
What types of foods can be eaten on a
diabetic diet?
A variety of foods include: milk, vegetables, fruits, breads,
cereals, meats and fats. Your doctor will prescribe a diet
with a certain number of calories and specific amounts of
protein, carbohydrates and fats. A registered dietitian
or diet counselor can help plan a diabetic diet.
What about diabetic diet exchanges?
Foods for the diabetic are divided into lists of similar
types of foods called exchange lists. These exchange lists
include the meat, bread, milk, fruit, vegetable and fat
exchanges. Foods within each exchange group may be substituted
for one another if the appropriate serving size is used.
Example: In the bread exchange, one slice of bread may be
substituted for one-half cup of grits.
Why Must Diabetics measure the amount
of food they eat?
Foods must meet, but not exceed, the prescribed number of
calories and amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fats.
The amount of food prescribed will help to make sure that
weight stays at normal levels and that blood sugar levels
are controlled.
Most diabetic diets are made up of about 50% carbohydrates,
20% protein and 30% fat. The carbohydrates on a diabetic
diet are primarily complex carbohydrates, including fruits,
vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals. These complex
carbohydrates in prescribed amounts are thought to produce
relatively small changes in blood sugar levels.
Why are sweets restricted?
Simple sugars found in most desserts are usually thought
to produce rapid rises in blood sugar levels that require
a large dose of insulin to control.
Can low-calorie sweeteners be used
safely?
Two low-calorie sweeteners- saccharin and aspartame
- are on the market. They should be used in limited amounts
because they contain small amounts of dextrin or lactose,
which are natural sugars. Saccharin has also been reported
to cause bladder cancer in animals. Ask your doctor about
using low-calorie sweeteners.
Dietetic sweets like candies, cakes, ice cream and pastries
are not recommended for diabetics because they may actually
contain more calories than products sweetened with sugar.
Many dietetic products contain fat, flour and sweeteners
that should not be eaten on a diabetic diet and, when they
are eaten, must be calculated in the diet.
Before eating out in restaurants it's wise to check
to make sure that a particular restaurant can accommodate
special requests. Diabetics should choose lean meat, chicken
or fish which has been roasted, broiled or grilled. Vegetables
should be unbuttered and uncreamed. Lemon wedges may be
used for seasoning. Fruit may replace dessert.
To maintain relatively constant blood sugar levels, it's
not O.K. to skip a meal and eat more at the next meal. This
is dangerous for a person on insulin.
Families can benefit from a diabetic diet because it's
based on wholesome, well-balanced foods which include all
of the exchanges. If everyone in the family eats the same
foods as the diabetic, it is easier for the person preparing
the food and more enjoyable for the diabetic. Diabetic recipe
books have a variety of recipes with exchanges for the whole
family to enjoy.
For more information on diabetic diets,
contact your local county Extension office.
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