Diabetic Diet Facts

People who are diagnosed with diabetes face many changes in their life. One of the most significant changes they will have to make is to their diet. Diabetics can often control the disease simply by changing their diet and losing excess weight. Even if the disease is not completely controlled the diabetic diet will be a major factor in managing blood sugars and preventing further complications.

It is important for people afflicted with diabetes and their family members to understand the basic facts about the diabetic diet. Knowing about how various foods affect the blood sugars will allow a person to make the necessary changes that will positively affect the disease. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are all important parts of any diet that will need to be considered in the diabetic diet.

Carbohydrates In The Diabetic Diet

Carbohydrates cover a broad expanse of food items. In fact, if a food is neither a protein nor a fat it can most likely be categorized as a carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are important to the human body because they are broken down into sugars and converted to energy. Carbohydrates can be classified as either simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates are the ones that are more simple sugars and are quickly used in the body.

Simple carbohydrates are sugar, honey, juices, and foods that contain these items such as candy, syrups, and sweetened processed food. Complex carbohydrates are foods that require more effort to be broken down by the body and contain many of the vitamins and minerals required by the body.

Complex carbohydrates are whole grain breads, vegetables, cereals, and some fruits. People who are diagnosed with diabetes will need to control their carbohydrate intake and will want to avoid any simple carbohydrates. Choosing the more nutritious, vitamin packed complex carbohydrates will prove very beneficial in the diabetic diet.

Proteins In The Diabetic Diet

Proteins are foods that are used by the body to build tissues and assist in various body functions. Proteins are great for the diabetic to eat because they are not easily converted into sugars but if too much protein is eaten in the diabetic diet the are potential complications especially to the urinary system.

Diabetics will want to choose proteins such as lean red meat, lean chicken and fish to fill this need in their diet. Eggs are also an excellent source of protein. Legumes, peanuts and beans, will provide complete proteins when combined with whole grains. People do need to realize that a serving of protein is not a sixteen ounce sirloin. Only a few ounces of protein are needed to make up once serving. One piece of chicken such as a leg or thigh is considered a serving of protein.

Fats In The Diabetic Diet

Fats are very important in the human diet to provide necessary elements for good body functioning but the diabetic diet should focus on reducing the amount of overall fat that is consumed. An important thing to consider in reducing the fats in the diet is to try to cut down on the animal fats and change to vegetable fats.