The Diabetic Diet: How diabetics count calories and plan their diets

Diabetes is a condition in which the body has unusually high levels of blood sugar. Normally, blood sugar is controlled by a complex mechanism, with one of the main factors being insulin, which is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. Due to a variety of reasons, some of which are not fully understood, it sometimes happens that the body does not produce enough insulin or else does not respond to insulin. These are known as type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes respectively, with type 2 diabetes being the most common. As a result, the blood sugar levels go up, which leads to a number of health problems, including excessive urination, excessive thirst, and excessive hunger. There may also be weight loss, lethargy, and mental fatigue. Diabetes cannot be cured, it must only be managed by using several different measures, and one of these is a diabetic diet.

The diet for diabetes is basically one that is low in fat and high in dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber. In addition, diabetic foods should also include less of simple carbohydrates, as these have a direct effect on blood sugar levels. The exact amount of carbohydrates recommended in a diet for diabetes is not fully agreed upon – while some authorities recommend a carbohydrate intake of as much as 70 per cent of caloric intake, others recommend only 40 per cent, saying that more than that could be harmful. It is therefore important to consult your doctor when working out a diabetic diet menu.

Certain recommendations regarding diet and diabetes are however almost universal. These include recommendations to have several small meals rather than two or three large meals a day. Eating a large meal causes your blood sugar levels to go up quite rapidly, after which it may fall. On the other hand, eating small meals at regular intervals keeps your blood sugar levels relatively steady through the day. The timing of meals, in relation to insulin doses, is also important and varies depending upon what kind of insulin you take. This is another reason why you should plan your diet in consultation with your doctor. Intake of sweets, pastries, and fast food should of course be avoided as much as possible, and so should consumption of alcohol. Your diet should include a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are good diabetic foods that will ensure that your intake of fiber is high.