Diabetic Diet Recommendations

Seeking counsel with a registered dietitian is the best way to incorporate a diabetic food plan customized for your individual needs. The goal of this plan is to manage and maintain proper glucose levels, reach a healthy weight for your body size and reduce risk of conditions such as heart disease. Each person is different and the best diet plan is one that adjusts to your individual lifestyle and needs.

Diet

• Eating proteins, fats and carbohydrates are important in treating diabetes. Fats convert glucose in the bloodstream at a slow rate, proteins are a bit faster and carbohydrates provide a spurt of glucose quickly. Moderate portions of each are important in maintaining even blood glucose levels throughout the day, every day.

  According to the Mayo Clinic in its article "Diabetes Diet: Creating Your Healthy Eating Plan," the best ratios are 45 to 65 percent of your daily calories from carbohydrate foods, 15 to 20 percent from proteins, and 20 to 35 percent of your daily calories from fats.

Types

• There is more than one correct way to plan a diabetes diet. Once you have been a diabetic for a while and your glucose level is more easily managed, or if you are a borderline diabetic, you may decide to use the plate format. You can simply visualize your plate and fill it according to the dietary recommendations. Vegetables should fill half your plate; one quarter of your plate should contain starchy foods such as bread or whole grains. Protein such as meat should fill the remaining quarter of your plate. A healthy beverage such as milk should be outside your plate, as well as a serving of fruit.

  Counting carbohydrates is the most common form of a diabetic diet. This is easily accomplished by reading your nutrition food labels on cans or boxes. Once you have followed this plan for a while, you will memorize many carbohydrate counts readily. The American Diabetes Association in their article, "Carbohydrates Counting, " recommends aiming for 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates at each meal. Your glucose levels should be closely monitored by you and your doctor. Experimentation will soon direct you to how many grams your individual body needs and how it best functions.

  The Glycemic Index Diet is another popular way to maintain glucose levels. Foods with a high glycemic index are known to produce higher glucose levels than foods with a lower glycemic index. You must remember that foods lower in the glycemic index are often higher in fat, so therefore are not necessarily the best overall choice.