Diabetic Diet 

The basics to diabetic diet meal planning are simple once we understand the way our body breaks down food. Everything we eat is broken down into sugar eventually. Sugary foods such as sweets or fruit hit the bloodstream almost immediately, followed by the slower starches (carbohydrates, or carbs), which take an hour or two to break down depending on their complexity. Proteins are next, taking about four hours, then between six and eight hours the fats finally break down. If strict attention is paid to diet and exercise, many diabetics can control their blood sugar with minimal dependence on medication.

Diabetic Diet Plan And Goal

Diabetic diet plan differ from person to person due to our daily nutritional needs and type of diabetes a person suffers. Following are the most common type of diabetes diet:

• Type 1 Diabetes Diet- Type 1 diabetes always requires insulin treatment, the main focus is to find a balance between the food intake and insulin.
• Type 2 Diabetes Diet- Type 2 diet focus on controlling weight in order to improve the body’s ability to utilize insulin. In most cases Type 2 diabetes can be controlled through proper diet and exercise alone.
• Gestational Diabetes Diet - unlike the Type 2 diet, gestational diabetes diet focus on adequate energy and nutrients to support both the mother’s body and growing baby while maintaining stable blood glucose levels for the pregnant mother.

The diet goal is to eat a balanced, portion controlled meal that will allow our body to stay on an even keel throughout the day as the components of each meal hit the system. Eating every two to three hours is best, five or six small meals being recommended, and light exercise after each meal will help kick start the digestive system and prevent a spike in sugar levels. If we can include appropriate servings from each food category at each meal, they will break down at different rates, delivering a steady trickle of sugar into the bloodstream and keeping our energy level stable. This saves our system from having to deal with a great influx all at once, as it would if we ate only carbs, or only protein.