Diabetes Diets

Diabetes obesity is a major contributing factor to diabetes related complications, and losing weight through diabetes diets can help to control blood sugar levels, avoiding these complications. Controlling diabetes with diet is not a new idea, and there are several diabetes diets available, but not all of them will provide long term benefits.

Who will benefit from diabetes diets ?

Diabetes diets are recommended for diabetics considered obese or overweight. This is measured using Body Mass Index, a calculation based on a combination of height and weight. Those with a BMI of over 25 are considered overweight, whilst those with a BMI over 30 are considered obese. A good type 2 diabetes diet concentrates on reducing BMI.  

What is a good diabetes diet ?

Good diabetes diets enable diabetics to lose weight gradually over a period of time, and keep the weight off, without having to give up all their favourite foods completely. Diabetes diets that focus on losing weight rapidly over a couple of weeks are not recommended. Dramatically reducing food intake can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar levels for diabetics. Low carb diabetic diets are also not recommended as carbohydrates are needed to release sugar slowly, regulating blood sugar levels effectively.

Here are some tips for controlling diabetes with diet:

   Keep an honest record of what you eat and your portion sizes over a fixed period of at least a week. Use these records to set specific targets as part of your diabetes control diet.

   Check your serving sizes.  Portions of meat or fish should be no bigger than the palm of your hand, portions of cheese should be no bigger than your thumb. For a good diabetic diet you should reduce portion sizes rather than cutting out certain foods altogether.

   Reduce the amounts of high calorie foods you eat, such as meat and dairy products, and fill up on healthy soups, salads and vegetables.

   The best diabetic diet focuses on long term lifestyle changes rather than rapid weight loss.  Don’t try to lose too much weight too quickly.

   Measure the amount of calories you consume.  Sticking to a 1500 calorie diabetes diet can be enough to reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes.

   Clear out all the foods that are not compatible with diabetes diets, and stock up with healthy foods.

   Do you snack a lot?  Make sure you have access to healthy snacks such as fruit and nuts so you aren’t tempted by chips and candy.    

   Plan how you will deal with unavoidable situations such as holidays, meals out and those occasions when you need to grab some fast food.

There are a few strategies your doctor may suggest to avoid complications caused by diabetes obesity:

   A 1500 calorie diabetes diet may initially be suggested.  Working with a dietician will enable you to reduce your calorie intake while still enjoying your food.

   As well as a diet for diabetes, your doctor should suggest you increase your levels of physical activity.  Moderate exercise for 30 to 45 minutes most days should help you reduce your weight.

   Behaviour therapy can be useful in maintaining lifestyle changes such as diabetes diets and exercise programs.

   Pharmacotherapy involves weight loss medication which can be used in conjunction with a type 2 diabetes diet.

   Diabetics classed as severely obese may need weight loss surgery if diabetes diets do not achieve significant results.

Gestational Diabetes requires special attention to diet

When it comes to diet, pregnancy can be a stressful time for any woman. When you consider all the foods that you need to eat and those that are forbidden, combined with morning sickness and bizarre cravings, the subject of food can seem to take over your life.

Finding that you have gestational diabetes can add a whole new dimension to your pregnancy diet. You will need to limit certain foods that are recommended for regular pregnancies such as fruit juices and milk, because they can increase your blood sugar, and you will need tp plan your meals so that your blood glucose levels remain consistent throughout the day.

Working with a specialist dietician to put together a plan for gestational diabetes diets will ensure that the foods you eat meet the nutritional needs of you and your developing baby whilst controlling your blood sugar at the same time.

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