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Nutrition Guide for Diabetes

Diabetics either do not produce insulin, do not produce enough insulin or do not use the insulin their bodies produce efficiently. Insulin is created by the pancreas to keep your blood sugar levels down, using the sugar to provide energy to your cells. The food you eat affects the amount of sugar in your blood, so if you are diabetic, it is important to understand the glycemic index, choose carbohydrates wisely and combine foods wisely.

  1. Using the Glycemic Index

    • The glycemic index is a measure of how much a particular food makes your blood sugar rise, in comparison to the amount that sugar or white bread makes your blood sugar rise. You can use the glycemic index to determine which foods should be limited or avoided in your diet.

    Choosing Carbohydrates

    • Carbohydrates, such as bread, sugar, vegetables and grains, will raise your blood sugar, which can cause problems for a diabetic. Different types of carbohydrates cause your blood sugar to rise at different rates. Simple carbohydrates are found in sugar and highly processed and refined items, such as white bread. These carbohydrates are absorbed more quickly, causing your blood glucose levels to rise higher and faster. Vegetables like spinach and broccoli and whole grain breads are called complex carbohydrates, and they will raise your blood sugar more gradually. Eating a variety of healthy carbohydrates and avoiding refined carbohydrates, when possible, will not only contribute to a more nutritious diet, it can help you manage your blood sugar.

    Combining Foods

    • Combining foods that are high in fiber, such as whole grains and many vegetables, with foods that have high glycemic values can slow the rate at which your blood sugar will rise. The extra fiber slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which lowers the overall glycemic load of the meal. Including proteins and healthy fats, such as those found in avocados and nuts, can also slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream. Combining different types of foods in your meal allows you to eat many foods that would cause your blood sugar to rise to unsafe levels if eaten alone.

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