University of Georgia Cooperative Extension

Eating Guidelines for Diabetes University of Georgia Cooperative Extension

Why Change Eating Habits? • To prevent complications of diabetes • by keeping control of: • Blood glucose • Cholesterol • Blood pressure

Why Change Eating Habits? • To improve your health • by making healthy food choices • and being physically active

Carbohydrate and Diabetes • Include foods containing carbohydrate from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat milk in your diet

Carbohydrate and Diabetes • The amount of carbohydrate at a meal affects your blood glucose more than the type • Sugar and starch have similar effects on blood glucose =

Carbohydrate and Diabetes • Consistency in carbohydrate intake is important from day to day • For people not taking diabetes medication • For people taking a fixed dose of insulin • Insulin should be adjusted based on amount of carbohydrate at meals • For people on varying doses at meal times

Carbohydrate and Diabetes • Several things affect how much your blood glucose increases after you eat: • amount of carbohydrate • type of sugar or starch • cooking and food processing • food form • other foods in the meal that slow digestion

Carbohydrate and Diabetes • Limited amounts of sugar or foods containing sugar can be used without affecting blood glucose • when substituted for other carbohydrates at the meal • Large amounts of sugar-containing foods are not recommended

Usual diet: 45 grams carbohydrate (or 3 Carbohydrates Choices) 1 slice bread 1/3 cup rice 1/2 cup fruit 3 ounces chicken Vegetable salad Substitute ice-cream for 15 grams of carbohydrate (or 1 Carbohydrate Choice) 1/2 cup ice-cream 1/3 cup rice 1/2 cup fruit 3 ounces chicken Vegetable salad Substituting Sweets

Carbohydrate and Diabetes To observe effect of new food on blood glucose: • check blood glucose 2 hours after meal for several days • substitute food containing sugar for other carbohydrate in meal • check blood glucose 2 hours after meal and compare

Sweeteners and Diabetes Sugar alcohols (polyols): sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol • Used as sweeteners and bulking agents • Safe to use • May cause diarrhea, especially in children Fructose: • Not recommended as a sweetener

Sweeteners and DiabetesLow calorie sweeteners:are safe for people with diabetes when consumed within recommended levels

Carbohydrate and Diabetes Fiber: • Fiber is encouraged for everyone: 20-35 grams/day • Good sources of fiber: • Whole grain cereals • Fruits • Vegetables • Beans and peas

Carbohydrate and Diabetes Fiber: • Only large amounts (50 grams/day) have shown improvement in blood glucose and cholesterol • Primarily soluble fiber (barley, oatmeal, beans, apples, broccoli) • Side effects make this difficult for many people

Protein and Diabetes • Protein has very little effect on blood glucose • Avoid large amounts of protein • may promote kidney disease • Restrict protein only if you have early kidney disease

Protein and Diabetes • Protein does not slow the absorption of carbohydrate • Adding protein to snacks does not help prevent hypoglycemia • Fruit or crackers are good snack foods

Protein and Diabetes • Safety of high protein, low carbohydrate weight loss diets are unknown • do not promote long-term weight loss • may increase LDL cholesterol

Dietary Fat and Diabetes • Primary goal - Lower LDL cholesterol by: • Eating less saturated fat and cholesterol • Eating less trans fats

Dietary Fat and Diabetes Foods That Contain Saturated Fats: • Meat and meat fats (bacon, lard) • Dairy products (whole milk, butter, cheese, cream, ice-cream) • Palm and coconut oil • Baked goods made from these fats

Dietary Fat and Diabetes Foods That Contain Trans Fats: • Formed when a liquid oil is made more solid • Found in many types of stick margarine, fast foods, and baked goods like cookies, crackers, snack foods, pastries and croissants

Dietary Fat and Diabetes Foods That Contain Cholesterol: • All animal foods • Organ meats like liver • Egg yolks

Dietary Fat and Diabetes • Choose monounsaturated fat in place of saturated: • olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, olives, avocados, nuts

Dietary Fat and Diabetes • Eat less total fat • Low-fat diets can help: • with weight loss • improve cholesterol and other fats

Dietary Fat and Diabetes • Eat 2-3 servings fish per week • contain a type of fat protective against heart disease • fatty fish especially beneficial

Weight Loss and Diabetes A small amount of weight loss can: • improve insulin resistance • lower blood glucose • improve blood cholesterol • reduce blood pressure

Weight Loss and Diabetes Successful weight loss usually requires: • a structured weight loss program • education • reduced fat and calories • regular physical activity • frequent follow-up

Vitamins and Minerals and Diabetes • Vitamins and minerals from foods important • High doses of vitamin and mineral supplements can be toxic

Vitamins and Minerals and Diabetes People who may benefit from a multivitamin supplement: • persons deficient in a vitamin or mineral • elderly • pregnant or nursing mothers • strict vegetarians • persons on calorie-restricted diet

Vitamins and Minerals and Diabetes • No clear benefit from vitamin and mineral supplements except • calcium for prevention of bone disease • folate for prevention of birth defects • Use of antioxidants is not advised • vitamin C, E, selenium, beta carotene • long-term safety and effectiveness unknown

Alcohol and Diabetes • If you choose to drink, limit to: • 1 drink/day for women • 2 drinks/day for men • To reduce risk of hypoglycemia, consume alcohol with food

High Blood Pressure and Diabetes You can lower blood pressure by: • Eating less salt • Losing a modest amount of weight

Preventing Diabetes Family members of people with Type 2 diabetes can prevent diabetes by: • Weight loss if overweight • using a structured weight loss program • Regular physical activity

The Bottom Line Your lifestyle affects your health Eat healthy foods Daily Physical Activity

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension