Diet Plans for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics

Because type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different the dietary requirements for each is also different. Type 1 diabetics are no longer capable of producing insulin and must therefore rely on insulin injections for the rest of their lives. Type 2 diabetics become hyperglycemic despite the availability of bodily produced insulin. For reasons not completely understood the cells of the body become insulin resistant causing dangerous spikes in blood glucose levels.

Type 1 Diabetic Diet Plan

Diet and insulin prescription must be integrated for optimal energy metabolism and the prevention of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. The goals of the diet plan are to achieve optimal glucose and lipid levels, improve overall health, and maintain reasonable body weight. To meet these goals, the following strategies must be implemented.

• Glucose regulation requires correlating eating patterns with insulin onset and peak of action

• Meals, snacks, and insulin regimens should be based on the diabetic's lifestyle.

• Meal planning depends on the specific insulin regimen prescribed.

• Snacks are an important consideration in relation to the amount and timing of exercise.

• The diet plan must consider the availability of foods, based on occupational, financial, religious, and ethnic constraints.

• Self monitoring of blood glucose levels helps the diabetic make adjustments for planned and unplanned changes in routines.


Type 2 Diabetic Diet Plan

The goals of the type 2 diet plan are to improve blood glucose levels, improve overall health, prevent or delay complications, and attain or maintain reasonable body weight. Because the majority of type 2 diabetics are overweight, weight loss is important and facilitates achieving the other goals.

There are no specific guidelines for the type 2 diet, but in addition to decreasing kilocalories, it is recommended that the diabetic consume three meals of equal size, evenly spaced approximately four to five hours apart, with one or two snacks. The person with type 2 diabetes should also decrease fat intake. If the exchange list is difficult to use, calorie counting or designing the diet by grams of fat may be more useful.