Why does my diet matter if I have diabetes?

Managing your diet is an important part of diabetes treatment. Many people need to change what they eat and how much they eat to help treat their diabetes.

Treating diabetes is important to:

• Keep your blood sugar at goal

• Prevent long-term problems, such as heart or kidney problems, that can happen in people with diabetes

Changing your diet can also help treat obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These conditions can affect people with diabetes and can lead to future problems, such as heart attack or stroke.

Who will help me change my diet?

Your doctor or nurse will work with you to make a food plan to change your diet. They might also recommend you work with a dietitian (an expert on food and nutrition).

Do I need to eat at the same times every day?

When and how often you should eat depends, in part, on the diabetes medicines you take.

For example:

• People who take about the same amount of insulin at the same time each day (called a "fixed regimen") should eat meals at the same times. This is also true for people who take pills to increase insulin levels, such as sulfonylureas. Eating meals at the same time every day helps prevent low blood sugar.

• People who adjust the dose and timing of their insulin each day (called a "flexible regimen") do not always have to eat meals at the same time. That's because they can time their insulin dose for before they plan to eat, and also adjust the dose for how much they plan to eat.

• People who take medicines that don't usually cause low blood sugar, such as metformin, don't have to eat meals at the same time every day.

What should I think about when planning what to eat?

Your body breaks down the food you eat into small pieces called carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

When planning what to eat, people with diabetes need to think about:

• Carbohydrates ("carbs") – These are sugars the body uses for energy. They can raise your blood sugar level. Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian will tell you how many carbs you should eat at each meal or snack. Foods that have carbs include:

  • Bread, pasta, and rice

  • Vegetables and fruits

  • Dairy foods

  • Foods and drinks with added sugar

  It is best to get your carbs from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk. It is best to avoid drinks with added sugar, like soda, juice, and sports drinks.

• Protein – Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian will tell you how much protein you should eat each day. It is best to eat lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, nuts, and seeds. Avoid or limit processed meats like bacon, hot dogs, and sausages.

• Fats – "Saturated" and "trans" fats can increase your risk for heart problems, like a heart attack.

  • Foods that have saturated fats include meat, butter, cheese, and ice cream.

  • Foods that have trans fats include processed food with "partially hydrogenated oils" on the ingredient list. This might include fried foods, store-bought cookies, muffins, pies, and cakes.

  "Monounsaturated" and "polyunsaturated" fats are better for you. Foods with these types of fat include fish, avocado, olive oil, and nuts.

• Calories – You need to eat a certain amount of calories each day to keep your weight the same. If you have excess body weight and want to lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories each day.

• Fiber – Eating foods with a lot of fiber can help manage your blood sugar level. Foods that have a lot of fiber include apples, green beans, peas, beans, lentils, nuts, oatmeal, and whole grains.

• Salt – People who have high blood pressure should not eat foods that contain a lot of salt ("sodium"). People with high blood pressure should also eat healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods.

• Alcohol and sugary drinks – Having more than 1 alcoholic drink (for females) or 2 drinks (for males) a day can raise blood sugar levels. Also, sugary drinks like fruit juice or soda can raise blood sugar levels.

How can I lose weight?

You should:

• Exercise – Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, most days of the week. Even gentle exercise, like walking, is good for your health. Some people with diabetes need to change their medicine dose before they exercise. They might also need to check their blood sugar levels before and after exercising.

• Eat fewer calories – Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian can tell you how many calories you should eat each day to lose weight.

If you are worried about your weight, size, or shape, talk with your doctor, nurse, or dietitian. They can help you make changes to improve your health.

Can I eat the same foods as my family?

Yes. You do not need to eat special foods if you have diabetes. Changing your diet is mostly about eating healthy foods in healthy amounts.

What are the other parts of diabetes treatment?

Besides changing your diet, the other parts of diabetes treatment are:

• Exercise

• Medicines

Some people with diabetes need to learn how to match their diet and exercise with their medicine dose. For example, people who use insulin might need to choose the dose of insulin they give themselves. To choose the dose, they need to think about:

• What they plan to eat at the next meal

• How much exercise they plan to do

• Their blood sugar level

If the diet and exercise do not match the medicine dose, a person's blood sugar level can get too low or too high. Blood sugar levels that are too low or too high can cause problems.