Diets and Nutrition

When blood glucose levels get too high, it can lead to complications such as hyperglycemia, heart, nerve and kidney damage.

You want to eat a diet that’s low in fat and calories and rich in nutrients, including vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Your body can better use the insulin it produces or gets through a medication when you eat three meals a day at regular times.

Choose healthy carbohydrates, heart-healthy fish, healthy fats that contain monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats and fiber-rich foods.

When you’re on a diabetes diet, there are some foods to avoid, as they increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. These include trans fats, high-sodium foods, high-cholesterol foods and saturated fats.

There are a few different approaches to diabetes diets. You can work with a dietitian or nutritionist who can help you decide between using the glycemic method, carbohydrate counting, a 7-step meal planning process called the plate method or the exchange lists method.