Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body either builds up a resistance to naturally produced insulin in the blood or does not produce insulin at all. Type 2 diabetes, otherwise called adult onset or insulin resistant diabetes, is on the rise and affects numerous families around the country. While Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes differ in treatment, both types can help manage blood sugar levels with a healthy diet and nutrition plan.

Elements of Diabetic Diet:

Managing diabetes and managing the blood sugar with diet is a complicated process and varies for each individual. While it is true that a doctor will make an individualized plan based on the type of diabetes and the health conditions that an individual is at risk for, some elements of the diet are the same for most diabetic patients.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, anyone who is at risk of developing diabetes or who has been diagnosed with diabetes should strive to have at least 14 grams of fiber per 1000 calories consumed. A high fiber diet requires eating whole grain foods, several fruits and vegetables and avoiding high sugar foods that do not have much fiber.

The University of Maryland suggests eating between 45 percent and 65 percent carbohydrates in a diabetic diet. The school suggests getting the carbohydrates only from fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. That means avoiding white bread or any other processed products.

The diabetic diet should also have between 25 percent and 35 percent healthy fats. Healthy fat means eating monounsaturated fats found in nuts, avocados and olives or eating omega fatty acids found in flaxseeds, fatty fish like tuna and salmon and the fat found in almonds. The school suggests avoiding saturated and trans fats as much as possible.

The last element of any diabetic diet is protein. The University of Maryland suggests between 12 percent and 20 percent of daily caloric intake is from proteins, but the specific amount will vary on individual health. The school notes that any diabetic individual who has a risk of kidney disease should limit protein to no more than 10 percent of their diet to manage the risks to their kidneys. The best protein sources for a diabetic diet are beans, lentils, soy and fish.

Following these general guidelines will help get blood sugar levels in control, though doctors might suggests a few variations based on individual health risks.

Medication Consideration:

A diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains in general will result in improved blood sugar levels over time. For some individuals, the diet might eventually lead to lower levels of medication or even eliminating medication, particularly in patients who were overweight and lost excess weight.

While it is true that medication might be removed from insulin resistant patients, any insulin dependent diabetic should not expect to have the same results due to the body not producing enough insulin. All patients, regardless of the type of diabetes, should follow the doctor’s instructions relating to medication.

Conclusion:

The right diet can control diabetes blood sugar levels. Over time, you should see that your blood sugar becomes similar to an individual who does not have diabetes as you get it under control. That will dramatically reduce the other medical risks associated with diabetes.

Reference:

University of Maryland Medical Center: Diabetes Diet http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_general_guidelines_a_diabetes_diet_000042_2.htm