Once a person comes to know that he has become diabetic, the first fear that pops up in his mind is about dietary restrictions. Diabetes is considered a disorder of sugar and so patients start enquiring about foods, which contain sugar. Often doctors, dieticians, diabetes educators also forbid the patients from taking rice, potato, fruits, fruit juices, sugar, etc. Thus, with the diagnosis of diabetes, everyone in the family becomes concerned about what NOT to give to the patients as they believe these restrictions can only curb or help in the treatment diabetes.

In countries like India, there are many myths about diet in Diabetes and as a result any rise in glucose is believed to have occurred solely due to dietary reasons. This leads to inadequate medical treatment and thus glucose levels remain high leading to higher diabetes complications.

No book and none of the International organizations on diabetes have prohibited any food in Diabetes, says Dr. Sunil M Jain, CEO of diabeteshormone.com. Diabetics can consume all food items but in moderation and as per Calorie requirement, he adds.

There is a need of awareness among healthcare providers about diet in Diabetes. The food we eat contains carbohydrates, proteins and fats. A healthy diet implies that at least 50 – 60% of calories should come from carbohydrates, 20% calories from fats and 20% calories from proteins. If a meal of a diabetic patient has a healthy diet calorie distribution, it can be permitted.

What is required is an understanding of the composition of food items and then planning of a meal pattern. Doctors and nutritionists should consider this concept and try to remove food related myths rather than reinforcing them. It is crucial to understand that if glucose levels are high, there may be other causes like inadequate medications, missing medications, need of insulin, etc and not small amounts of rice or fruits. Blaming to just diet is one of the cause for inadequate treatment and thus high glucose levels. Patients need to think more in terms of Insulin deficiency and this will automatically lead to process of improvement in medical treatment and better glucose control.

Diabetic diet actually comprises a healthy and proportionate diet. Due to misconceptions, people fail to understand the basic and important concept. Diet modification is an adjustment to decreasing Insulin supply. If glucose is high in spite of a healthy diet, then it more advisable to revise treatment so as to improve Insulin supply.

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Not all fats are equally damaging. There are good fats and bad fats. Some good fats may even protect heart health. There are saturated and unsaturated fats, trans fats, and so on. It is best for overall health to consume fats, regardless of type, in moderation.

The effect of fat consumption on blood sugar is not immediately obvious. When you eat a high-fat food (think French fries, or a cheeseburger), and you test glucose immediately afterward, you may get a result in the normal range. Hours later, however, your blood sugar may be elevated. Fats act like protein, and slow down the digestion of carbohydrates.

Usually, when a food raises blood sugar it does so shortly after it is eaten. A delay or lag of several hours is unusual, and makes it hard to manage the sugar spike effectively.

Do what you can to choose healthier fats, such as unsaturated fats and oils. You can check on the type of fat in foods by consulting labels and food packaging. But don’t mistakenly think that you don’t need to limit intake of unsaturated fats just because they are healthier! Moderation is still important.

Don’t allow yourself to eat fats to excess. When we gain weight, we tax all of our bodily systems and damage how our bodies manufacture and use insulin. Being overweight can have a negative effect on blood sugar.

You can find healthy fats in a variety of foods: sesame seeds and oil, olives and olive oil, peanuts and peanut butter, avocados and avocado oil, salmon. Peanuts and peanut butter, and salmon, are also excellent sources of protein.

Your doctor can provide you with more detailed information, if you would like to know more about types of fats or about portion control and serving size.

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