Winnsboro Medical Clinic>Nutrition>Diet & Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by constantly high blood glucose (sugar) levels due to defects in the production and/or action of a hormone called insulin. It is a lifelong disease that requires lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of serious complications and disease progression.
Healthy dieting and exercise is important for diabetics because weight loss improves blood sugars. 4 key things that a diabetic or pre-diabetic can do to reduce his/her risk for diabetes as well as complications of diabetes are:
- Reducing high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Reducing high cholesterol
- Reducing high blood pressure
- Reducing or quitting tobacco use
Dietary changes must include substituting some carbohydrates for others.
- Carbohydrates to be avoided are concentrated sugars: soda, sugar-sweetened coffee or tea, cookies, candy, cakes, pies, and pastries
- Instead try getting your carbohydrates from: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat or fat-free milk or dairy products (yogurt, cheese).
An effective eating plan that maintains these principles is the DASH diet.
