YOUR HEALTH
Nutrition in diabetes management
By Denise D . Roberts , RD , LD , CDCES Contributing Columnist
Roberts
“ For many people with diabetes , diet alone is not sufficient to maintain healthy blood glucose levels . Medications , diet , physical activity and rest all play an important role in the achieving a healthy balance .”
Being diagnosed with diabetes can be a life changing event . New medications must be understood , blood glucose monitoring begins and , of course , the DIET becomes even more important to understand and adjust . This article will address the basics of a healthy diet approach for the person with diabetes .
Diabetes is a disease of errant glucose metabolism ( the body is unable to effectively move glucose from the blood into the cells that burn glucose ). Insulin is the hormone that moves glucose from the blood into the cells . There are many different classifications of diabetes , but the main two types are Type 1 and Type 2 . The typing of diabetes is based on the ability of the body to produce the pancreatic hormone Insulin .
Persons with Type 1 diabetes must rely on insulin provided by an outside source ( injection or infusion ) because their body is unable to produce sufficient insulin . Persons with Type 2 diabetes may need outside or “ helper ” insulin , but their body can produce insulin . This type of diabetes can utilize many other medications such as oral diabetic medications and non-insulin injectables for glucose management . In Type 2 Diabetes , there may also be insulin resistance due to being overweight or obese . Weight management becomes very important in this condition .
Understanding the Type of Diabetes you have and how your medications work is very important . Taking the medications as prescribed works in conjunction with a healthy diet . For many people with diabetes , diet alone is not sufficient to maintain healthy blood glucose levels . Medications , diet , physical activity and rest all play an important role in the achieving a healthy balance .
There is no diabetic diet . The food we consume is made of either carbohydrate , protein or fat . These three nutrients are known as the Macro-nutrients . All three provide calories ( heat energy ) and all three are needed in a healthy diet . Only one of these nutrients digests immediately to glucose ( the sugar of the blood ). That nutrient is carbohydrate . Carbohydrate includes the starch , simple sugar , fiber or sugar alcohol in foods . This nutrient has the most effect on the level of glucose in the bloodstream .
Carbohydrate food sources include : grains and grain products ( regardless of color ), fruits and fruit juices , vegetables that are “ starchy ” in nature ( when cooked , these veggies can be mashed into a paste ), fluid milk and yogurt , sweets such as pies / cakes / cookies / candies , and sugar sweetened beverages .
It is apparent that carbohydrate is abundant in the diet . Remember , carbohydrate is an essential Macro-nutrient . It is needed in the diet to provide the main source of energy ; however , most diets are Excessive in carbohydrate content . In order to keep carbohydrate intake at a reasonable level , consider these dietary adjustments :
• Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages .
• Limit desserts or sweets to once or twice each week .
• Balance the plate with 2-3 carbohydrate foods per meal .
• Watch portions of carb foods .... even if they are “ healthy ” foods . Here are examples of how to implement the above adjustments :
• Instead of drinking a 20-ounce soda , choose water . You just reduced your carb intake by 75 grams .
• instead of a cup of ice cream after supper every night , save Tuesday and Saturday nights as the
40 • TIMELESS MERIDIAN