HEALTHY EATING
Eating Well with Diabetes
Choosing healthy foods and being active will help manage your blood glucose levels and your body weight. Healthy eating for people with diabetes is similar to recommendations for everyone so there is no need to prepare separate meals or buy special foods. Healthy eating can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Managing blood glucose levels for a person with type 1 diabetes requires matching the amount of insulin to the carbohydrate in the foods eaten. There are different types of insulin and various regimes. It is possible to be flexible about the time of meals and the amount of carbohydrate in meals and snacks. Individuals with type 1 diabetes need to know how to plan their food, insulin and activity to best manage their blood glucose levels. It is advisable that all people with type 1 diabetes attend a dietician experienced in working with people with type 1 diabetes to help them develop their own suitable meal plan.
All people with diabetes are advised to have a healthy eating plan; however, to control blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes requires further consideration.
Managing blood glucose levels for a person with type 1 diabetes requires matching the amount of insulin to the carbohydrate in the foods eaten. There are different types of insulin and various regimes. It is possible to be flexible about the time of meals and the amount of carbohydrate in meals and snacks. Individuals with type 1 diabetes need to know how to plan their food, insulin and activity to best manage their blood glucose levels. It is advisable that all people with type 1 diabetes attend a dietician experienced in working with people with type 1 diabetes to help them develop their own suitable meal plan.
Diabetes and Food - What Should I Eat?
TO HELP MANAGE YOUR DIABETES, YOUR MEALS NEED TO BE:
- Regular and spread evenly throughout the day
- Lower in fat, particularly saturated fat
- Based on high fibre carbohydrate foods such as wholegrain breads and cereals, beans, lentils, vegetables and fruits
Matching the amount of food you eat with the amount you burn up each day is important. Not putting too much fuel in your body (keeping food intake to moderate serves) is vital to getting the right balance. Along with healthy eating regular physical activity can help you to manage your blood glucose levels, reduce your blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) and maintain a healthy weight.
Source: Australian Dietary Guideline 2020 : https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines
