Diet for Diabetic

 

Dietary Management
Therapeutic diet plays an important role in the treatment of diabetes.  Nothing helps a Diabetic more than a Diet, custom-made by his Dietician. The general principle is to control body fat means less sensitivity to Insulin, which keeps the blood sugar level in check.

A Proper diabetic diet includes a balance of high proteins, low fat and complex carbohydrates, ( Whole grain cereals, whole wheat flour, vegetables) which are digested more slowly and therefore don't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. 

The most important consideration in diet is the total amount of calories ingested for an average diabetic, about 60% of calories are derived from carbohydrates, 25 to 30% from fats, and 12 to 15% from proteins.

The Diet plan of an individual is based on height, weight, age, sex, physical activity and nature of diabetes. 

Following are the essential considerations in planning a diabetic diet-

Determining energy requirements Distribution of energy in terms of carbohydrates, fat and protein. Determining the type of carbohydrate, fiber and the type of preparation. Distribution of carbohydrate  Stage of diabetes with the absence or presence of any complication.

Supplementation of cereals with gram (pulse) is beneficial.
For example:

 3 parts of whole wheat flour with one part of gram flour in making chapattis or One part rice with one part whole pulse to make Idli, dosa, khichri, or  2 parts suji with 1 part of pulse to make Upma 

In all diabetics the amount and time of food intake particularly the carbohydrate, should be controlled to prevent the fluctuations of blood glucose beyond the normal range.

Sample Diet Plan >>

Mr. Khanduja, a middle aged businessmen is 5 ft 6 inches tall and weighs 75 kgs. He is suffering from Non Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. A days sample diet is planned below

Approx 1800 calories
240 g of carbohydrate
60 g of protein
60 g of fat

Early Morning
Tea without sugar 1cup with 1 desert spoon milk (20 ml) or lime juice.

Breakfast
Whole wheat porridge (25 g) with milk (170 ml)
Paneer (25 g) on toast (1 slice) 
Apple ( 100 g)

Mid Morning
Any one of the free foods 

Lunch
Pulse:   Chana curry or lobia curry - 1/2 bowl (25 g)
Veg:      Beans or Capsicum or spinach vegetable or any desirable green vegetable; good helping
Curd:     Ghia raita - 1/2 bowl (100 g) 
Salad:    Cucumber