- Carbohydrates should provide 45 – 65% of total daily calories. The type and amount of carbohydrate are both important. Best choices are vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains. These foods are also high in fiber. Patients with diabetes should monitor their carbohydrate intake either through carbohydrate counting or meal planning exchange lists.
- Fats should provide 25 – 35% of daily calories. Monounsaturated (olive, peanut, canola oils; avocados; nuts) and omega-3 polyunsaturated (fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts) fats are the best types. Limit saturated fat (red meat, butter) to less than 7% of daily calories. Choose nonfat or low-fat dairy instead of whole milk products. Limit trans-fats (hydrogenated fat found in snack foods, fried foods, commercially baked goods) to less than 1% of total calories.
- Protein should provide 12 – 20% of daily calories, although this may vary depending on a patient’s individual health requirements. Patients with kidney disease should limit protein intake to less than 10% of calories. Fish, soy, and poultry are better protein choices than red meat.
- Lose weight if body mass index (BMI) is 25 – 29 (overweight) or higher (obese).
Some Dietary Approaches for Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes
Healthy eating habits along with good control of blood glucose are the basic goals in managing this complex disease, and several good dietary methods are available to meet them:
General Dietary Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes. A simple heart-healthy diet with weight control may be sufficient for people with type 2 diabetes. One study of people with type 2 diabetes compared several diet plans:
- High-carbohydrate/high-fiber diet
- Low-fat diet
- Weight management diet
After 18 months all groups experienced similar and improved glycolated hemoglobin and cholesterol levels. The researchers concluded that the positive benefits of the diets were derived not from the specific regimens, but because the people in the study were attentive and focused. In other words, any healthy diet works if patients work at it. On the other hand, the so-called Western diet (higher consumption of red meat, processed meat, French fries, high-fat dairy products, refined grains, and sweets and desserts) poses a high risk for type 2 diabetes.
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