7 Things that are allowed in Diet of Diabetic Patient

Patient of every disease need to follow a particular diet, to avoid reoccurrence of symptoms of that disease. That diet also helps in treating that disease to certain extent. Same rules applies to diabetes. Diabetic patient also need to follow a particular diet called diabetic diet. It helps in diabetes from progressing to advance stage. It also helps in treating the biochemistry of body altered by disease. Diabetic patient need to avoid certain things in diet and allowed to eat certain things in diet. For example, they can’t eat big fatty meals. But, they are allowed to eat only small bowel of fruits, not big one. Lets discuss, what diabetic patient is allowed to eat in diabetic diet, and which not.

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There are two types of method used in planning diabetic diet-

1) Plate method-
This method is best for lunch and dinner timings. In this method, as name suggests, your plate of meal should be made according to this method. According to this method, your plate is divided into parts-

• 1/4th of plate should include protein. Protein forms structure of body. 
• ½ of plate include non-starchy food. It helps in digestion of meal consumed.
• 1/4th of plate include starchy food. It give energy to do work. 
• Small bowel of citrus fruits- give minerals and vitamins to body.
• Small glass of fat free milk- give calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus.

2) Calorie counting-
In this method, food sources that contain more calories are reduced from diet. And, food containing less calories are included in diet. For example-

• Carbohydrates and fats which contain more calories are included in very less quantity in diet. Non-starchy carbohydrates contain less calories, they are included in diet. Whereas starchy carbohydrates like potato, contain more calories are reduced from diet. Sugary products are also reduced from diet. Saturated fats which contain more calories are reduced from diet. Whereas unsaturated fats like oils are included in diet. 
• Protein- in protein section easily digestible protein like dried beans, chickpea and split pea are allowed in diet only. 
• Fruits- only citrus fruits are allowed, not sugary ones. 

Therefore, all in all both plate method and calorie counting are somewhat similar to  each other.

7 Things which are included in diet of diabetic patient-

1) Vegetables-

Under vegetables, they are allowed to eat iron rich green vegetables and vitamin A rich red vegetables. Example of green vegetables include broccoli, green leafy vegetables. Example of red vegetables include carrots and tomatoes.

2) Fruits-

Under fruits, diabetic patient are allowed to eat citrus fruits and water rich fruits. Example of citrus fruits are oranges, lemon, strawberry, kiwi and pineapple. Whereas example of water rich fruits is watermelon. But, eat only small bowel of fruits, not excess.

3) Whole grains-

Under whole grains, diabetic patient can consume-

• Wheat,
• Rice,
• Cornmeal, 
• Barely. 
• But, just take care don’t consume in excess. Consume very less quantity of them. Because, they contain calorie rich carbohydrates.

4) Proteins- 

Under proteins, they are allowed, light protein like dried beans, pulses. Instead, of heavy protein sources like chicken, eat light protein like tofu.

• Consume small glass of fat free milk. 
• Diabetic patient is allowed to consume yoghurt, not cheese.

5) Fats-

Only unsaturated fats like olive oil, sunflower oil is allowed in diabetic patient’s diet. But, saturated fat, like ghee or butter are not allowed at all to diabetic patient.

6) Foods high in salt and sugar are not allowed at all. Consume less salty food.

7) Drink more of water instead of sugary cold drinks. Avoid alcohol completely because that lowers blood sugar level below normal. Consume less sugary tea.

Along with above diet instructions, diabetic patient is not allowed to skip meals because that will lower their blood sugar level. Also they need to do mild morning walking everyday. That will help in burning extra calories consumed in food. That will help in keeping their blood sugar level under control. But, do not do exercise when ketone level in blood and urine is high.