Summary
If you have diabetes, it is important that you choose the right foods. Making the wrong choice of food or skipping a single meal can raise or lower your blood glucose level to a dangerous level (also called blood sugar). Choosing the right foods can help control blood glucose levels and body weight.
Keeping an eye on carbohydrates
It is important to be aware that the carbohydrates consumed throughout the day are converted into glucose in the blood. Eating too many carbohydrates can quickly raise blood glucose levels. Some high-carb foods include pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, cereals, and milk.
Carbohydrates are also found in sugary foods like fruit, soda, juices, and candy. Carbohydrates should be spread throughout the day and should make up less than half of your daily caloric intake.
Limit fat and salt
Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, so it is important to limit the intake of fats and salt on a daily basis.
This rule can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Choose whole grains instead of foods containing refined grains and flours. The refining process removes everything except the starchy part of the grain. Refined grains raise blood sugar levels more than whole grains.
Eat plenty of non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. Starchy vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn can also be eaten, but keep in mind they will have a greater impact on blood glucose levels.
Eating lean proteins such as fish, poultry, and eggs are good food choices, along with lean cuts of beef and pork, beans, and soy-based foods.
Fruit is good for you
Fruit is good for you and can help satisfy sweet cravings. But fruit contains carbohydrates. Choose fresh fruit if possible, or dried fruit, and for canned or frozen fruit, make sure it contains no added sugar.
Overview
Because you have diabetes, it’s important that youchoose the right foods. Making a poor food choiceor missing a single meal can raise or lower yourblood glucose (also called blood sugar) to anunsafe level. Choosing the right foods can help youcontrol your blood glucose level and your bodyweight.
Keep an Eye on Carbs
You will need to be aware of the carbohydrates,commonly called “carbs,” that you eat throughoutthe day. When you eat, carbs are converted intoblood glucose. Eating too many carbs can quicklyraise your blood glucose level. Some foods that arehigh in carbohydrates include pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, cereal and milk. Carbs are also found insugary foods such as fruit, soda, juice and candy. Carbs should be spread throughout the day. Theyshould make up less than half of the calories youeat.
Limit Fat and Salt
Diabetes puts you at a greater risk for heartdisease, so you should also limit the amount of fatand salt you eat. This can help lower your bloodpressure. It will reduce your risk for heart attack andstroke.
Choose Whole Grains
Choose whole grains, not foods that contain refinedgrains and flours. The refining process removeseverything but the starchy part of the grain. Refinedgrains raise your blood glucose more than wholegrains do.
Eat Vegetables
Eat plenty of non-starchy vegetables. These includefoods such as broccoli, green beans, carrots,peppers and tomatoes. You can also eat starchyvegetables, but be aware that these will have agreater effect on your blood glucose level. Examples of starchy vegetables include potatoes,squash and corn.
Eat Lean Proteins
Eat lean proteins. Fish, poultry and eggs are goodoptions. Choose lean cuts of beef and pork. Eatbeans and soy-based foods.
Fruit is Good For You
Fruit is good for you, and it can help satisfy acraving for sweets. But fruit does contain carbs. Choose fresh fruit if possible, or dried, canned orfrozen fruit that does not contain added sugar.
