Diabetic Diet

Diabetes is characterized by abnormally raised blood glucose levels, as we all know the original source of glucose in our body is FOOD, logically controlling food through a balanced Diabetic diet becomes the first step in controlling Diabetes and raised Blood Glucose levels.

An ideal Diabetic diet should provide good nutrition at the same time just enough Calories (energy) to sustain the working of body. Excessive Calory intake leads to weight gain and depositing of fats in the fat storage compartments of the body, which lead to the detrimental effects of uncontrolled Diabetes.

Calories in Diabetic Diet

A Diabetic diet is based on calories; that is the total energy gained through diet. Different components of food (Fats, Proteins & Carbohydrates – the three basic ones) contain different amount of Calories per unit fats containing the most!!

People with different lifestyles need different amounts of energy in a day to maintain healthy working body. An average adult of 60 Kgs with sedentary lifestyle ( office – desk top work not requiring substantial physical and mental strain requires approx. mately 1400 kcals per day ( 24 hrs.) While a persons with moderate physical or mental strain needs approx. 1600 kcals per day. A person engaged in considerale physical activity (physical labour, active sportsperson) may require upto 2000 kcals per day or more.

These calories should be divided based on their source; as different components of food have different affects on Blood Glucose, Cholesterol and other lipid levels. In an ideal Diabetic diet-

Calory Distribution

Carbohydrates should provide 40-65% of the Calories (they form the major bulk of the food and are also the main culprits behind the high glucose levels).

Dietary Proteins should provide 10-20% of the Calories (necessary for growth and maintenance but may lead to rise in Creatinine and uric acid in people who have impaired kidney function hence needs to be restricted in such individuals).

Dietary Fats should contribute not more than 20-35% of the total calories, (should be divided as Saturated – Ghee, Butter, cream less than 10%, Polyunsaturated-Vegetable oils like Sunflower, Soyabean, Safflower less than 10% Monounsaturated – Oils like Olive, Peanut, Rapeseed, Sesame oil should constitute more than 10% of the total calories). Foods containing beneficial fats which raise HDL Cholesterol are a very important part of the Diabetic diet and should be consumed regularly ( these include , flaxseeds, Walnut, Almonds, Kidney Beans, Green leafy vegetables etc.)

Also read..

Learn more about Calories

North Indian Diabetic Diet