Over the last decade, dietary advice for diabetes has undergone a bit of a revolution. This newthinking is part of a larger, more intuitive approach to managing diabetes. Diabetes is a condition inwhich your blood glucose levels are abnormally high. The aim of diabetes management is to keepblood glucose within an optimal range and prevent complications. With guidance from your diabetesteam, this can be achieved through healthy eating, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight andmedication, if required. People with diabetes should eat a diet that is low in saturated fat, contains noadded sugar or salt, and includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. The right amount of carbohydratefoods, such as bread, potatoes, cereals, pasta and rice, is also important. Here is an overview of thekey nutrients a person with diabetes should consume.
sugar :
People with diabetes don’t need to avoid sugar completely. Sugar can be included as jam on somehigh-fiber toast or honey on oats as part of a healthy meal. However, candy or soft drinks that containmostly added sugar are not recommended unless for treatment of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).Unlike sugar, artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, do not affect blood glucose levels. Use them tosweeten foods after cooking or to add to drinks. If you regularly use artificial sweeteners, choose avariety of different types.
carbohydrates :
The body’s main source of energy is carbohydrate. Everyone’s carbohydrate needs are different butthese foods should provide approximately half of your food intake for the day.Carbohydrate foods contain either added sugar or natural sugars. Carbohydrates that containnatural sugars include fruit and fruit products, milk and yogurt, grain and cereal products and starchyvegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn. Added sugars are found in candies, soft drinks,chocolate, cakes and cookies.Carbohydrate foods are broken down in the body into sugars and, finally, to glucose. These foodshave the most impact on your blood glucose levels of any foods. Eating carbohydrate foods regularlythroughout the day will fuel your body and also help to keep blood glucose levels steady. Whole-grain cereals and breads, sweet potatoes and rolled oats are particularly recommended. Yourdietitian can advise you how much carbohydrate