Diabetic Diet Tips
The consumption of food is necessary for human life to continue. However, those who are diabetic must learn to look at food in a totally different light. Food is a necessity, and the wrong food can kill them.
Diabetics cannot engage in recreational eating like most of the rest of the world. A diabetic must plan his or her diet in advance and then must stick strictly to the plan.
There are lots and lots of diets and theories about diets for diabetics out there. Basically, most all diabetics are instructed to eat approximately 16 calories per pound of body weight per day. That is, if the ideal weight is 130 pounds, you should eat about 2,080 calories per day (130 x 16). This total is adjusted for people that are big boned or small boned, but that’s the average.
People who need to lose weight — and most people who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes do — the recommended diet consists of between 1,500 and 1,800 calories per day.
Carbohydrates should account for only about 50% of the daily caloric intake in a diabetic diet. Diets that are even lower in carbohydrates can benefit diabetics, but the use of low-carb diets should be discussed with the diabetic’s physician or dietician.
Blood sugar testing is essential to maintaining acceptable blood sugar levels for a diabetic. Type 1 diabetics must regulate the timing of food intake with the timing of their insulin injections to maintain an optimum level. Type 2 diabetics are not given insulin, so just overall caloric intake over each 24-hour period usually satisfies the problem.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes (either Type 1 or Type 2), food has become an issue that needs to be addressed. The doctor will very likely refer the patient and his family to a dietician.