Dietary Guidelines For Diabetics

Glucose, a form of sugar carried in the bloodstream, is a vital source of energy. For the body to function efficiently, however, levels must be kept within narrow limits. Too much glucose in the blood stream indicates development of ailment known as diabetes, while, too little glucose, results in low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

There are general dietary guidelines that diabetes sufferers can follow to help keep their blood sugar levels under control.

• Avoid being overweight: make sure you eat a balanced, healthy diet based on suitable foods. If you do need to lose weight, formulate a diet chart tailored to your needs.

• Eat regular meals: exactly how many and how often can usually be decided by what is convenient.

• Eat more starchy, high fiber foods: Foods like Wholemeal bread, beans, peas, lentils, cause only a gradual rise in blood sugar because the fiber content slows down the release of glucose.

• Cut down on sugary sweetened soft drinks, cakes, confectionery and chocolates. The sugar is absorbed quickly and therefore causes blood sugar levels to rise more rapidly.

• Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for soluble fiber and vitamins. Fruits make an ideal snack or pudding, but beware of eating very sweet fruits such as grapes or mangoes in large amounts because of their effect on the blood sugar levels.

• Dried fruits such as dates are concentrated form of sugar and so should only be consumed in very small quantities.

• Ensure that you have portions of meat, eggs or cheese as part of at least two of your meals each day. But keep portions small.

• Cut down on fats, which aggravate the diabetic’s increased risk of coronary heart disease.

• Limit salt and salty foods, because of the diabetic’s increased susceptibility to high blood pressure. Be aware of hidden salt in many tinned and processed foods.

• Keep alcohol consumption at moderate levels, remembering that low-sugar diet beers and lagers tend to have high alcohol content.

• Drink plenty of water or sugar free drinks.