Since diabetes affects the way the body uses the food we eat, what you eat and how much you eat will affect your diabetes control. Learning how food affects blood glucose is key to staying healthy with diabetes.
Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy. Carbohydrates are the sugars and starches found in many foods we eat.
They include healthy foods like breads, bagels, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, vegetables, fruit and fruit juices and milk. Carbohydrates are also found in foods that should be eaten less often like soda pop, cakes, cookies, pies, honey, jams, jellies and syrups.
It's true that carbohydrates cause blood sugar to rise, but that doesn't mean they should be avoided. They are the main energy source for our bodies and they are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
About half of our daily calories should come from carbohydrates.
Sugar is a carbohydrate, and will raise your blood glucose, but it can be worked into a healthy meal plan.
You can help control your blood glucose by counting the total grams of carbohydrates, instead of just sugar, in your meals and snacks.
The amount of food you should eat each day depends on many things: your sex, your age, your weight and how physically active you are. A visit with a registered dietitian (RD) is the best way to find out how much and what kind of foods you should be eating.
A registered dietitian is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and training requirements to earn the RD credential and can provide credible nutrition guidance to the public.
Registered dietitians can provide sound advice about your overall nutrition and well-being, as well as for specific health concerns.
To find a dietitian in your area, contact the
Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland
at 216-591-0800
or look on American Dietetic Association.
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