Diabetic Diet Food List

Diabetes is a chronic disorder that is caused due to the increase of blood sugar levels in the body. This disease which is also known as diabetes mellitus, is of three types - Type 1 diabetes (or juvenile diabetes), Type 2 diabetes (or adult onset diabetes) and gestational diabetes. This health disorder can occur when the body fails to produce enough insulin, which is a hormone that regulates glucose. Insulin is produced in the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Type 1 or juvenile diabetes is a kind of autoimmune disease, where the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed. This type of diabetes mostly affects children and young adults (or adolescents). Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body fails to use the insulin or shows resistance to the hormone. Hence this diabetes is also known as insulin resistance diabetes. The third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes and is seen mostly during pregnancy. This can be temporary and may go away after childbirth. But it is essential to keep a check on this condition, lest it increases the risks during childbirth. Let us now see about the list of foods that can be included in a diabetic's diet, and which will help maintain a balance on the blood glucose levels.

List of Foods a Diabetic Can Eat

When an individual suffers from any of the type of diabetes, he is under a strict restriction on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid. Since some of the foods can trigger the overproduction of glucose, they must be completely avoided. The best food for diabetics is the one that controls the blood glucose levels in diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes diet are more or less the same with the similar role of controlling glucose in the bloodstream. For expectant mothers, following a gestational diabetes meal plan till the delivery is essential, as it not only keeps a check on diabetes, it also provides the necessary nutrients, both for the mother and child. Given below is the diabetes diet menu, which is recommended for individuals suffering from type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Carbohydrates

• Fruits like apples, peaches, berries, pears, etc.
• Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, mushrooms, celery, cloves etc.. Green leafy vegetables like fenugreek and spinach can also be included.
• Other foods in the menu are oats porridge, barley and bran.
• Fiber rich foods also should be included especially in the gestational diabetes diet since it helps in the proper digestion of food and ensures proper bowel movement.

Proteins

• Vegetables like soybeans, lentils, millets.
• Lean meat like veal, lamb, beef and pork etc.
• Nuts like Brazil nuts, pine nuts and peanuts.

Fats

• Vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil and olive oil.
• Unsaturated margarine.
• Oily fish like mackerel, herrings, salmon and tuna.

List of Foods for Diabetics to Avoid

There are certain foods to avoid with diabetes, since they can increase the symptoms of diabetes and can even worsen the condition. Given below is a list of a few of the food items, that are a strict no no and must be kept off the shelves.

• White bread
• Plain bread
• Rice
• Pasta
• Pizza
• Potatoes
• Yams
• Sweet potatoes
• Peas
• Carrots
• Corn
• Beet
• Beans
• Fried chicken
• Bacon
• Fried meat
• Bananas
• Plums
• Custard apple
• Grapes
• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Prunes
• Papaya
• Salad dressings like mayonnaise, margarine, mustard
• Dairy products like cheese, butter
• Sugary foods like jams, jellies, donuts, cookies, canned syrups, ice cream, pastries
• Egg yolk
• Dried fruits and nuts

Apart from these foods, following a proper exercise regimen and taking medicines on time will keep the blood glucose levels in check and also keep the diabetes symptoms at bay. Wish you good health!