|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

Diet for Diabetic Early Stage

An important part of your regular medical checkup should be a test to determine the level of glucose in your blood. High levels of blood glucose are a good indicator of insulin resistance, which is often the first step toward the development of diabetes. Detecting the problem early can help you and your doctor set up a plan to deal with the disease before it becomes a significant and possibly life-threatening problem.

  1. Diabetes

    • Diabetes is characterized by the body's inability to manage glucose levels. In type 2 diabetes, a combination of a diet high in carbohydrates and a lack of exercise can reduce the body's sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that normally handles the metabolism and storage of sugar in the body. If caught early enough, this disease can be managed, or at least improved, through changes in diet and exercise.

    Sugar

    • The first dietary change that you should make should be to reduce your intake of sugar. The most common sources of excess sugar in the diet are sweetened sodas, candy and other desserts, and consumption of these items should be reduced sharply or eliminated to reduce glucose levels in the blood. Switching to artificial sweeteners is a good way to cut back on your sugar intake; there are a number of different options on the market, ranging from aspartame to sucralose to a South American herb called stevia.

    Other Carbohydrate Sources

    • In addition to the obvious sources of sugar, the body can metabolize any source of carbohydrates into glucose. White flour can be a significant source of carbohydrates in the diet, so white bread, pasta and the like should be avoided when possible (or at least substituted with whole-grain varieties). Potatoes and rice are also common sources of carbohydrates, and you should plan meals and side dishes carefully to reduce your carbohydrate intake.

    Glycemic Index

    • One of the best tools for managing the diabetic diet is the glycemic index, which rates foods not only for their carbohydrate content but for the effect the carbs have on the body. Foods consisting of simple carbohydrates boost blood sugar levels quickly, while more complex molecules take time to break down and produce a more muted effect. Planning your meals around foods with a lower glycemic index will help you manage your blood glucose levels.

    The Numbers

    • While you should discuss your dietary plan with your doctor, a good rule of thumb suggests that for every 400 calories in your daily allotment, you should be eating about 50 grams of carbohydrates. While this might seem like an ample amount, keep in mind that a single can of soda can contain up to 45 grams. Careful planning and paying attention to nutritional information can help you plan out a diet that allows you to eat well while still maintaining a healthy carbohydrate level.

Diabetes - Related Articles