Diabetic Diet Plans

Diet is one of the most unpopular words in any language. Mere mention of the word suggests sacrificing the good things in life that people enjoy most. Diabetic diet plans for person with diabetes, however, is simply a combination and balancing of nutritious foods that will enable him to keep and use these foods for energy needs, aid him to achieve and maintain his ideal weight and at the same time reduce fat intake.
The goal, therefore, is not food deprivation, but rather an adjustment of eating habits to fit individual needs. The diet should be tailor-made and must consider the patient’s height, weight, type of activities, personal likes and dislikes, and consider both the dosage of insulin or oral agents, when applicable. Diabetic diet plans should be outlined as simple as possible.

Your individualized diet plan will include the number of servings you should eat each day from carbohydrate, protein and fat. However, the amount of carbohydrate or “carbs” that you eat affects your blood glucose/sugar level more than anything else in your diet. Foods that are high in carbohydrate are found in the Starch, Fruit and Milk groups, while the Vegetable group contains a small amount of carbohydrate. The Meat and Fat groups contain little or no carbohydrate. The amount of carbohydrate you eat at each meal and snack will primarily determine how high your blood glucose/sugar level subsequently rises.

Here are the important steps in a diabetic diet plan:

1. Work with your Registered Dietitian or Certified Diabetes Educator to develop a meal plan personalized for your type of diabetes, medication, food preferences, lifestyle and goals (e.g. weight loss).
2. Eat 3 meals and snacks (if needed) at relatively consistent times every day. Skipping scheduled meals and snacks can lead to large fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
3. Eat about the same amount of carbohydrate at meals and snacks each day to help keep your blood glucose in control.
4. Eat sweets, salty foods and fried foods in small amounts. Choose water or sugar-free beverages instead of juices, regular soda, sweet tea, or other sugar-sweetened soft drinks.
5. Eat a variety of foods each day including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean meats.
6. Monitor your blood glucose level closely whenever you try new foods, vary your meal plan, or change your exercise routine.
7. Plan for exercise, which helps control your blood glucose level by making your body’s cells more sensitive to insulin. For example, take a 10-20 minute walk after one or all meals each day.

Remember that your meal plan is individualized for you only. Each person with diabetes may have a slightly different meal plan. While the condition itself may be life-long, one can control and treat the complications by focusing on his or her treatment plan.