Nutrition is important for people with diabetes. 

Healthy eating and keeping active is important whether the person has diabetes or not. However this can be crucial in managing blood glucose levels and weight in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

This means eating a wide variety of foods including protein, carbohydrates, grains and fruits and vegetables and limiting the amounts of salts, fats and sugar in the diet – essentially what we should all be doing! Let’s look at the basics:

It’s not always necessary for individuals to exclude themselves or be excluded from enjoying, for example, a piece of cake or an alcoholic drink. However, with all food and drink consumption, it is essential to be aware of the impact they will have on blood sugar levels.

What about fruit, it’s all healthy right?

Fruit is a healthy part of any diet so long as it’s not eaten in excess. 

Care should taken with fruits high in natural sugar (like cherries). Look out for fruit juices with high sugar content which can raise blood glucose levels very quickly (high glycaemic index GI).

It is better consume the whole fruit instead of fruit juice, as whole fruit contains more fibre; this slows down the impact on blood glucose levels.

This video (8:37 minutes) from the respected Dr Greger explains what constitutes a healthy daily eating plan with his “Daily Dozen Checklist”.

You could take photos of the screens so you can keep referring back to the checklist or you can download the free app that he recommends at the end.

Are you interested to know how diabetics who have been taking insulin for 20 years were able to get off insulin altogether after less than two weeks of doing something different? 

Watch this short (3:40 minute) video where the respected Dr Greger evidences how type 2 diabetes can be prevented, managed and even put the condition into remission with a healthy enough diet. If you are diabetic or supporting someone with diabetes, this is advice you cannot afford to ignore!