Healthy food choices are the foundation of diabetes management, and losing some weight (if needed) can help improve diabetes management.
Three meals a day at regular times are helpful. If the time between lunch and dinner is longer than 4-5 hours then a healthy afternoon tea snack may be important – such as a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit.
Carbohydrate foods (starches and sugars) have the most direct effect on blood glucose levels. High sugar foods are discouraged but small amounts of sugar in foods are acceptable.
Starchy foods (breakfast cereals, bread, rice, pasta, starchy vegetables like potato etc.) break down to glucose when digested. Have some but not too much of these foods at each meal. Choose wholegrain and less processed varieties of these foods where possible.
The type of fat in your meal is also important. Saturated fat is discouraged as it is linked with heart disease. Healthier fats are found in olive and canola oils, margarines made from these, avocado and nuts.
Generous amounts of vegetables and some fruit are all part of a diabetes friendly meal pattern.
High intakes of salt are linked with high blood pressure. Good control of blood pressure is important for people with diabetes so take care with salt. Use some when you are cooking OR at the table for seasoning but not both.
