Eating with diabetes
Diabetes has two main forms – type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 is controlled with insulin and a condition which you have no control over whether you get or not. It’s an autoimmune disease which permanently destroys beta cells in the pancreas meaning the body is unable to produce insulin. This is often diagnosed in childhood. Type 1 diabetes requires the care of a dietician who will advise on insulin use etc.
Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease which is becoming increasingly common across all ages. As the obesity epidemic continues, more young people are being diagnosed as well as older people. Type 2 diabetes occurs when insulin is not used effectively by the body. This results in blood sugar levels not being well controlled.
Type 2 diabetes is preventable if you follow a healthy balanced lifestyle, keep your weight healthy and exercise regularly. When you are diagnosed with type 2, there is often a period of diet control which allows you to try and control blood sugar through diet. If this doesn’t work then you may be prescribed medication and ultimately if sugar control is still poor, you will be prescribed insulin.
If you are given the opportunity to control your diabetes through diet, here are my top tips:
- Eat plenty of vegetables as these are low in GI and have less impact on blood sugar
- Swap white carbohydrates for wholemeal
- Eat protein with meals to slow down digestion and have less impact on blood sugar
- Cut down on sugar in tea and coffee
- Swap sugary snacks such as cakes and biscuits for nuts and seeds, fruit or vegetable sticks
- Avoid low fat products as these contain added sugar
- Swap puddings for fruit or full fat yoghurt and have a treat once a week
- Reduce alcohol as it is full of sugar
- Try to do more exercise. Walking is particularly good for keeping you fit and gets you outside to top up vitamin D stores in the summer
- Only drink 1 glass of fruit juice a day as it contains high quantities of sugarThere’s no need to cut sugar completely out of your diet but significantly reducing your intake will have a big impact on blood sugar. The tips above are suitable for anyone wanting to a lead a healthy balanced lifestyle.
Written by Hannah Bailey BSc from Wise Choice Nutrition
If you would like more information, visit www.wisechoicenutrition.co.uk or email [email protected]
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