Diabetic Cooking: The Importance of Controlling Carbohydrates

If you have diabetes then you know how important it is to control your meals and maintain a strict diet so that you keep your carbohydrate consumption to a minimum each day in order to keep your blood sugar steady. This article will take a look at the types of diabetes and how diet is used to control each type.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes usually manifests itself in childhood or as a young adult. This type of diabetes causes the diabetic to become insulin dependent which means they need to inject insulin everyday because their pancreas does not manufacture enough of it to keep blood sugar levels down. This is the less common type of diabetes and affects only 10% of diabetes sufferers. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, exhaustion, excessive thirst, frequent urination and constant hunger.

Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces enough insulin but the cells of the body resist it therefore it cannot be utilized by the body. Hence, this type of diabetes is also referred to as insulin resistant diabetes. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes include tingling and numbness of the feet, skin infections with slow to heal wounds or sores, and blurred vision.

For those with type 1 diabetes, it is important to eat at regular meal times, adhere to a strict diabetic diet and get plenty of exercise to keep weight under control. For these diabetics, the amount of carbohydrates that is consumed each day is determined by the amount of insulin that the doctor prescribes.

For those with type 2 diabetes, following a diabetic diet as well as exercise play an important role in controlling blood sugar levels. Diabetics that are at their ideal weight can consume half of their calories from natural carbohydrates. Diabetics that are overweight should limit carbohydrates to 40%.

The glycemic index is a useful tool for diabetics. It can be used when menu planning because it is basically a list of foods ranked according to their carbohydrate levels and how quickly they affect blood glucose levels.

Diabetics need to consume a low carb diet. The best cereals, bread, pasta, and rice that should be used is whole grain. In addition, nuts and seeds, fresh vegetables and fruits, and dried beans are also good for diabetics to add to their diets. On the other hand, white rice, white potatoes, low fiber cereal, candy, and beverages with sugar must be avoided.

If you have any questions or concerns about your diabetic diet, be sure to consult with your doctor or dietician. You should also check with your doctor to make sure you are eating the correct amount of carbohydrates for the type of diabetes that you have.

Diabetic Paula Deen: I'll Still Continue to Make Butter-Rich Recipes

Southern chef Paula Deen just confirmed she suffers from Type 2 Diabetes, but the fried food-loving Food Network star says she'll continue to prepare recipes using real butter -- not a substitute.

Diabetic presidential candidate dishes out advice to ‘Butter Queen’ celebrity chef Paula Deen

Buddy Roemer is serving up some advice to celebrity chef and butter-lover Paula Deen, who recently admitted that she suffers from diabetes. Read more...

Hating on Diabetic Paula Deen Is Fun But Premature

Today ShowDon't you just want to hug/shake her? Yesterday, after Paula Deen finally sat down with Al Roker on the Today Show and admitted that she'd been diagnosed with diabetes type three years ago,

Butter queen Paula Deen confirms she's diabetic; signs on to promote drug

Celebrity chef and Food Network star Paula Deen is teaming with drug maker Novo Nordisk to launch a program that aims to help people live with Type 2 diabetes and promote a Novo diabetes drug.

TMZ Live: Paula Deen -- Big Ole Bowl of Diabetic Hypocrisy

Paula Deen's diabetes diagnosis has us thinking she's whipping up a two-faced pie -- pushing recipes like chocolate cheese fudge AND promoting anti-diabetes meds? Seems like she's getting America coming and going!Plus, the Italian cruise captain… TMZ TMZ Live: Paula Deen -- Big Ole Bowl of Diabetic Hypocrisy