Diabetes Control Diet - Key Elements

What are the key elements of a good diabetes control diet?

Because diabetes is a condition characterized by a lack of balance of glucose (and insulin) within the body, it is closely related to food intake and diet.

The amount of glucose in the blood fluctuates depending upon what foods are eaten, and tight control of blood sugar is paramount in avoiding complications of diabetes. Diabetes is an incredibly serious illness that sometimes requires fairly significant intervention, but in any case, diet is an integral aspect to any treatment for this disease.

It is important for those with diabetes to meet with a nutritionist and / or dietician in order to understand their circumstances and options in an individualized manner. There are a number of ways to interpret / follow a diabetes control diet, and it is best to work with someone who has expertise in the area when trying to decide which plan may be best for oneself.

Although there are a few ways of monitoring one’s diet in a manner that controls fluctuations in blood sugar, they all correspond to the carbohydrates that a food introduces to the body. Ultimately, carbohydrates are used for energy in the body by means of sugar. Because different types of saccharides (the basic form of carbohydrates) are handled differently within the body, close attention must be paid to the type of carbohydrate primarily found in a given food, so that one can anticipate the body’s mechanism of action in breaking it down (and introducing glucose into the bloodstream).

In general, a diabetic person should aim for a diabetes control diet with the same qualities as any healthy diet - it should be low in saturated fat, sugar, and salt, and high in fiber, vegetables and fruit. Additionally, there are a number of ‘diabetic’ foods available in stores, and although they may not always reflect the healthiest option, it is generally true that these foods are less likely to cause excessive fluctuation in blood sugar than other foods.

In implementing diabetes control diets, one of the most popular methods of diabetic diet management is the use of the exchange system. This system groups foods into categories, for example, fruits, meats, fats, and starches. A serving in a group is called an ‘exchange,’ each of which has around the same amount of carbohydrates, fat, protein, and calories (and therefore affect blood sugar in a similar manner).

Another popular way of monitoring one’s diabetes control diet is the use of the glycemic index. In this system, foods are assigned a glycemic index that corresponds to their effect upon blood sugar; foods with a high glycemic index are associated with a greater increase in blood sugar. Of course, foods with a low glycemic index aren’t necessarily healthier, which can cause some difficulty for some people.

Aside from paying close attention to carbohydrates and the effect a given food will have upon blood sugar levels, a healthy diabetes control diet is similar to any healthy diet. It should be low in cholesterol, high in fiber, consist of “good” carbohydrates and fats, and maximize heart-healthy foods. Moreover, there are a number of systems that are used by diabetics to keep track of their daily intake, and consultation with a dietician would be helpful to anyone trying to find an individualized way of managing their diet.

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