Diabetes diet Health Article

Definition

Specific diabetic dietary guidelines have been developed by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association to improve the management of diabetes.

Key principles are to:

• Achieve weight control through reducing calories.
• Individualize guidelines for carbohydrates based on the type of diabetes you have and the control of your blood sugar levels.
• Reduce intake of dietary fat (specifically saturated fat).

Alternative Names

Diet - diabetes

Function

There are two main forms of diabetes. The nutritional goals for each one are different.

With type 1 diabetes, studies show that total carbohydrates have the most effect on the amount of insulin needed and the maintenance of blood sugar control. A delicate balance of carbohydrate intake, insulin, and physical activity is necessary for the best blood sugar levels. If these are not in balance, there can be wide swings in blood glucose levels. If you have type 1 diabetes and are on a fixed dose of insulin, the carbohydrate content of your meals and snacks should be consistent from day to day.

Weight and growth patterns are a useful way to determine if a child with type 1 diabetes is getting enough nutrition. Try not to withhold food or give food when a child is not hungry.

With type 2 diabetes, the main focus is on weight control, because 80 - 90% of people with this disease are overweight. A meal plan, with reduced calories, even distribution of carbohydrates, and replacement of some carbohydrate with healthier monounsaturated fats helps improve blood glucose levels.

Examples of foods high in monounsaturated fat include peanut or almond butter, almonds, walnuts, and other nuts. These can be substituted for carbohydrates, but portions should be small because these foods are high in calories.

In many cases, moderate weight loss and increased physical activity can control type 2 diabetes. Some people will need to take oral medications or insulin in addition to lifestyle changes.

Children with type 2 diabetes present special challenges. Meal plans should be recalculated often to account for the child's change in calorie requirements due to growth. Three smaller meals and three snacks are often required to meet calorie needs.

Changes in eating habits and increased physical activity help reduce insulin resistance and improve blood sugar control. When at parties or during holidays, your child may still eat sugar-containing foods, but have fewer carbohydrates on that day. For example, if birthday cake, Halloween candy, or other sweets are eaten, the usual daily amount of potatoes, pasta, or rice should be eliminated. This substitution helps keep calories and carbohydrates in better balance.

For children with either type of diabetes, special occasions (like birthdays or Halloween) require additional planning because of the extra sweets.