Diabetic Diets FAQ

Here are answers for frequently asked questions about diabetic diets.

1. Why does losing weight help my diabetes?

Weight loss helps people with diabetes in two important ways:

First, it lowers insulin resistance. This allows your natural insulin (in people with type 2 diabetes) to do a better job in lowering blood glucose levels. If you are taking a medication for diabetes, losing weight helps lower blood glucose and may allow you to reduce the amount of medication you're taking, or quit taking it altogether.

Second, it improves blood fat (lipid) and blood pressure levels. People with diabetes are about twice as likely to get cardiovascular disease as most people. Lowering blood lipid and blood pressure is a way to reduce that risk.

2. Can I have sugar or food that has been sweetened with sugar?

For almost every person with diabetes, the answer is YES! Eating a piece of cake made with sugar as one of the ingredients will raise your blood glucose level. People with diabetes can and do eat sugar. In your body, it becomes glucose, but so do the other foods mentioned above. With sugary foods, the rule is moderation. Eat too much, and

A. You'll send your blood glucose level up higher than you would expect.

B. You'll fill up yourself with empty calories without the nutrients that come with vegetables and grains.

C. You'll gain weight and increase risk of long term diabetes complications.
So if you controlled blood sugar level well, a small amount of sugar or sweet food is allowed.

3. Can I use artificial sweetener for my diabetic diets plans?

The answer is yes. Many of us enjoy sweetened food. Artificial sweeteners offer a chance for diabetics to continue enjoying food and drinks without the accompanying calories.

However it must be emphasized that diabetic do not need to use artificial sweeteners the can have controlled amount of sugar as advise by their dietitian.

4. What are the common artificial sweetener, are they safe for consumption?

The most commonly artificial sweetener is saccharin and aspartame. Both saccharin and aspartame use is permitted in the recommendation of the American and British Diabetes Associations. However, artificial sweeteners are not actually necessary for diabetic diets. Those who choose to used them should do so in moderation

5. How can the rest of the family support a diabetic diets requirement?

Families can benefit from a diabetic diet because it's based on wholesome, well-balanced foods that include all of the exchanges. If everyone in the family eats the same foods as the diabetic, it is easier for the person preparing the food and more enjoyable for the diabetic.

6. Why should diabetic observe diabetic diets?

It is important for diabetic to observe a diabetic diets as indiscreet eating would negate what ever tablet or insulin therapy the patient is on. Diabetic diets should be the key part of therapy in diabetes and should be maintained indefinitely.

7. Why do I need to see a dietitian?

Registered dietitians (RDs) have training and expertise in how the body uses food. RDs who understand diabetes can teach you how the food you eat changes your blood glucose level and how to coordinate your diabetes medications and diabetic diets. Do you know how many calories you should eat each day? How to cut down on the fat in your meals? How to make eating time more interesting? An RD can help you learn the answers to these, and lots of other questions.

8. Should I consume special diabetic diets food?

Special diabetic diets food usually refer to food that have no added sugar for example diabetic jam, biscuits etc. Special "diabetic food" does not have special positive effects on diabetes but may be considered a convenient preparation of food that would otherwise contain lot of sugar and sucrose. They are usually more expensive and are not necessary.

9. What about going out to eat?

Before eating out in restaurants, it's wise to make sure in advance that a particular restaurant can accommodate special requests. Diabetics should choose lean meat, chicken, or fish that has been roasted, broiled or grilled. Vegetables should be unbuttered and un-creamed. Lemon wedges may be used for seasoning and fruit may replace dessert.

10. Can diabetics undertake fasts?

Fasting alters metabolism of the body and will adversely affect the diabetic state. A diabetic should preferably avoid complete fast. Religious fast are often partial, wherein, certain foods are permitted, If absolutely must, partial fasts may be undertaken. It is important that you follow your doctor's and dietitian's advice on the type and amount of permissible foods to eat during partial fasts.

11. Are some fats better than others?

Yes. Monounsaturated fats are the healthiest for your body. Nuts - like almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and peanuts - and avocados contain this type of fat. Choose olive or canola oil for cooking.

Polyunsaturated fat is the next healthiest fat. This is found in corn oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and mayonnaise. Use small amounts of foods that contain saturated fats like butter, lard and meat fat, bacon, and shortening. There are lower-fat versions of foods that contain saturated fats, like sour cream and cream cheese. A healthy diet includes less than 30% of calories from fat, with less than 10% of these from saturated fat.

12. How can I cut the fat in my diabetic diets plans?

See a dietitian for more advice. Stir-fry foods in tiny amounts of oil and lots of seasonings. Choose nonfat or low-fat selections, such as nonfat or 1% milk or low-fat cheese. Keep portion sizes on target. Avoid fried foods -- bake, grill, broil, or roast vegetables and meat instead.

Ok, that is frequently asked questions about diabetic diets. Hope this article useful for you and success for your diabetic diets!