Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Diet

The goal of a diabetic diet is to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range and to stabilize them so they remain constant. When blood sugar levels behave like a roller coaster, swinging high and low or changing rapidly during the day, you don't feel well and you don't think clearly. You will feel best when your blood sugar levels are stable and stay within the normal range.

Choose Wisely

• The American Diabetes Association created the diabetes food pyramid to illustrate six food groups and the proportions in which these foods should be eaten. At the base of the pyramid is the breads, grains and other starches group. This group represents the largest part of a diabetic diet. The next layer contains the fruit and vegetable groups. Above that lies the milk group and the meat, meat substitutes and other proteins group.

  At the tip of the pyramid is the fats, oils and sweets group. It represents the smallest part of a diabetic diet; these food items should be eaten sparingly. In the past, diabetics were told to avoid sugar completely. Today, according to the Mayo Clinic, you can include small servings of sweets in your diet by substituting them for other carbohydrates. Don't go overboard on the sweets. Though allowable, sweets don't provide much nutritive value and should be limited to special occasions.

Watch Portions

• Most people need to eat somewhere between 1200 and 2400 calories each day. Your personal daily calorie allowance depends on your gender, build and goals. Larger people can eat more calories each day than smaller people. If along with controlling your diabetes you want to lose weight, you will need to eat fewer calories.

  For years the diabetic exchange system was the ADA's only recommended method used to measure food portions. Recently a new method, carbohydrate counting, has been introduced and has become very popular.

Daily Plan

• Eating five meals a day at regular times will spread out your food intake over the day and help keep blood sugar stable. Eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks each day (one snack in the afternoon and one snack in the evening).

  Divide your daily calorie allotment among the five daily meals. Follow the same eating pattern every day. You don't have to eat the same foods every day, but you do need to eat the same amount of food at each meal and have each meal at the same time every day.

  Never go more than about four hours between meals if you are taking an oral diabetes medication. When you go without food longer than that, your blood sugar can drop below the normal range. If it goes too low, you will begin to sweat, become confused and get weak.