Diet for Diabetes

Since the aim of treatment is reduce and regularise the body's glucose levels, people with diabetes - particularly those with IDDM -- should easy as regularly as possible; the same amount of food roughly the same time each day (3 meals for those with NIDDM; 3 meals and 3 snack for those with IDDM. Other than that, there's nothing particularly mysterious or complicated about a diabetic diet.

Ideally, you should be referred to a dietitian or to a diabetes clinic to have your diet assessed and to work out an individual eating plan. But, generally speaking, you will be encouraged to eat a healthy high-carbohydrate, high-fiber, low-fat, low-sugar diet -- exactly the same recommendations for all Americans.

If you are overweight, you will be advised to lose weight by reducing the amount of food you eat.

Appetite alone cannot be made responsible for selecting all of the necessary nutrients required by the body. Most people choose foods they like, rather than foods that are "good for them." Nutritionists and several government committees and agencies have developed an "ideal diet." This diet can vary, however, as long as the total recommended quantity of required nutrients is consumed on a day to day basis.