Diabetes and healthy eating
For a person with diabetes to remain healthy, the most important thing is to keep the blood glucose level as near to normal as possible.
This can be achieved by following a healthy eating plan, undertaking regular exercise and taking insulin and/or tablets if required.
Many overweight people who develop diabetes in middle age may be able to control their blood glucose level by reducing their weight.
From time to time you may need alterations to your eating plan, therefore it is important to have regular reviews with your doctor and dietitian.
The basis of traditional food habits for many different cultures is suitable for people with diabetes as they are based on plenty of grains, vegetables, fruit and nuts, seafood and only small amounts of meat and meat products.
This kind of diet is low in sugar, fat and protein and high in carbohydrate. The use of processed and convenience food is limited and so maintaining traditional food habits can help manage diabetes.
When people migrate to Australia, they are faced with many new foods and Western food habits. Many people adopt a combination of traditional and Western food habits. This often means an increase in meat and meat products, processed and convenience foods and high fat/sugar snack foods. These changes in food habits can lead to health problems.
For people with diabetes, it is best to combine the best food choices from both traditional and Western food habits to help manage their diabetes.
A good eating pattern for a person with diabetes will:
- contain mostly high-fibre carbohydrate foods (wholegrain cereals and bread, vegetables and fruit);
- be low in fat; and
- provide adequate protein for good health.
Diabetes and your diet
Healthy eating helps control blood glucose levels.
Choose
- Mainly carbohydrates (for example, breads, pasta, rice, legumes, vegetables and fruit).
- Moderate protein intake (e.g. lean meat, skinless chicken, fish and eggs).
- Foods high in fibre (e.g. wholegrain bread, fruit and vegetables).
- Fats (for example, margarine, butter, cream, cheese, peanut butter, oils, processed snacks and take-away foods).
- Foods high in sugar (e.g. desserts, sweets and some processed breakfast cereals).
Other tips
- Learn basic nutritional facts so you know which foods contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
- Know the energy values of foods so that wherever you are you can make wise meal choices.
- Ask your dietitian to help you review your nutrition needs and to explain aids such as the 'good-better-best' and carbohydrate exchange systems which will assist in your diabetes control.
- Limit your fat and oil intake.
- Learn to differentiate between good fats and bad fats.
- Learn to correctly interpret the nutrition panels on food products.
Last Reviewed: 11 July 2001
