A Low Sodium Diabetic Diet

Diabetes develops when the body becomes unable to properly manufacture or produce insulin, a hormone that acts to keep blood sugar levels in check. The basic principle of controlling diabetes is managing blood sugar to downplay the necessity of insulin within the body, a goal that can be reached through a diabetic diet. Combining a low-sodium approach with a diabetic diet also helps control symptoms of hypertension, a fairly common condition among individuals with diabetes. Thus, if you are suffering from both hypertension and diabetes, a low-sodium diabetic diet may be the answer.

Reducing Sodium

• Consume no more than 2,000 mg of sodium per day to follow a low-sodium diet according to the Cleveland Clinic, which suggests that this level of sodium intake can be easily maintained through following some simple rules. First, never add table salt to your food. Second, avoid sodium-added foods such as processed or pre-packaged meals and salty snacks like potato chips or pretzels. Third, avoid "hidden" sodium intake from canned fruits and vegetables, as these often contain more sodium than their fresh counterparts. Finally, check the labeling information on all products to ensure that you stay below your goal of 2,000 mg per day.

Eating for Diabetes

• Consume a carb-controlled diet while eating to control diabetes. As the extent to which blood sugar is increased is directly proportional to how quickly carbohydrates in your food are digested, avoid fast-digesting carbs to avoid inadvertently spiking your blood sugar and causing a potentially state of hyperglycemia (excessively high blood sugar). The primary fast-digesting types of foods to avoid include processed foods, foods containing white flour, and sugars. Instead, consume carbs from fruit, vegetables, and whole grains to keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day.

  Further slow digestion by making it a point to never eat carbs by themselves -- always eat a protein source (such as meat, poultry, or seafood) concurrently, and strive to include a small dose of healthy unsaturated fat from oils, nuts, or seeds as well.