Safe Food Choices for Diabetes

Proper diet is very important for people with diabetes mellitus or often called the community as a disease of sugar. But no less important is to know the diet or food choices that can counteract the condition.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects the body's performance in utilizing glucose or blood sugar. Glucose is very important for the body as a source of energy for every cell like brain, heart and muscle. To take advantage of glucose, the body needs the hormone insulin. But in diabetics, the body can not produce insulin or insulin can not function properly.


Types of Diabetes

If a person is exposed to diabetes, meaning the body is not effective in burning blood sugar into excessive energy in the blood. It can lead to serious health problems.

There are two types of diabetes, namely:

• Diabetes Type 1, body condition does not produce insulin at all. It is estimated that only about 10 percent of diabetes cases worldwide.
• Diabetes Type 2, the condition of the body can not produce enough insulin in order to function properly. 90 percent of diabetics enter the class of diabetes type 2.

What Foods Included Diabetes Friendly?


It is important for diabetics to maintain a healthy diet rich in nutrients, low in fat and calories, with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Diet plays an important role in the development of this disease and the effectiveness of the treatment undertaken by the sufferer.

For most people with diabetes type 2, weight reduction can also help control blood sugar and bring other health benefits.
The following types of foods should be consumed

• Complex carbohydrates. Try to focus on healthier sources of carbohydrates like fruits, whole grains, nuts, and low fat dairy products. Reduce refined carbohydrates such as white bread and white rice, because it can increase blood sugar levels quickly.
• Fish and lean meats. High protein content in meat does not affect blood sugar levels as carbohydrates. When consumed with ample portions, fish meat, skinless chicken breast, and low-fat meat is the right choice for diabetics.
• Foods rich in fiber. Fiber can lower the risk of heart disease and help control blood sugar levels, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, wheat flour, and rice with epidermis.
• Healthy fats and proteins. Avoid red meat and processed meats. A diet that contains unsaturated fat content can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Canola oil and olive oil are an excellent source of fatty fats, as are avocado fat, nuts, and seeds.
• Cinnamon. This spice is called to have an effect similar to insulin and helps reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics. Researchers in Germany in one study concluded that cinnamon extract appears to have a moderate effect in reducing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.However, further research is needed.

Sugar Substitute and Artificial Sweeteners


Diabetics should choose the right foods, especially those that have to do with sugar or sweet foods. The goal is to control blood sugar levels so as not to soar. If you want to eat sugar, you can consider sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners.

In contrast to natural sugars that are carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners have been designed in the laboratory so it does not contain calories and does not make blood sugar levels to rise.

Some sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners that can be consumed by diabetics are:

• Aspartame. Can be added to hot or cold foods, but if added to high-temperature foods, aspartame flavor becomes less sweet. Although it can be consumed by people with diabetes, you still have to abide by the rules of use. In addition, know for sure your condition, because aspartame harmful for people with genetic disorders such as phenylketonuria.

• Advantam. This substance is usually found in cakes, fruit juices, syrups, food and soft drinks. Although safe for diabetics, but should still limit consumption of these sweeteners.

• Saccharin. Saccharin can be added to hot and cold foods. This substance may be consumed by diabetics but avoid saccharin during pregnancy and lactation.

• Sukralos. Usually present in processed foods. Can be consumed in cold or hot conditions.

• Acesulfam. Just like sukralos, acesulfam is commonly used in processed foods such as baked or cooked. This substance can also be used in hot and cold foods.

Controlling blood sugar levels for diabetics can be done with more attention to the intake of food and medicine. You can still eat sweet foods by adding artificial sweeteners, provided they are not excessive. Consulate to the doctor for the right diet for your condition, including the consumption of the required medication