Diabetic Diet
The following can be eaten freely:
- Vegetables in the form of Salads, Subjis, fillings etc.
- Dark green leafy vegetables eg. Palak, Methi, Coriander, Mint (pudhina) etc.
- High fibre foods like cauliflower, Teenda, Beans, Bajra, etc.
- Spinach, Asparagus, Olives, Mushrooms.
- Eggs in anyway most acceptable…avoid eating the egg yolk.
- Desserts: Custards, jellies, creams (without sugar) & coconuts
- Drinks: Tea or coffee (without sugar), pure water, peptonized milk.
- Any Vegetable soup without thickening agents.
- Pulses-dals, chana, rajma etc
- Multi grain roti—jowar, bajra etc
The following can be eaten in moderate amounts:
- Fats: restrict fried eatables to once a month.
- Cereals- wheat, rice – brown, maize, corn etc.(max.1 bowl 2-3 times per week).
- Fruits – Apple, citrus fruits, pomegranate…these to be titrated against your diabetes medication and blood sugar levels.
- Milk Products-2 small cups of curd or cow’s milk per day
- Organic jaggery(Gud), Desi ghee home made
- Sprouts.
- Fish of all kinds (dressing should not contain flour)-2 medium pieces (2-3 times per week)
- Chicken 3-4 pieces 2-3 times per week. (all cooked free of flour, potatoes or bread).
The following foods should be avoided:
- Sweets, puddings, chocolates.
- Fried foods eg. Samosas, wafers, vada pav, poories, kulcha etc.
- Dried fruits and nuts.
- Sugar, honey, jams, jellies, cakes and pastries, ice creams.
- Sweetened juices and soft drinks.
- Fruits like mango, Litchis, banana, chikoo, grapes, sitaphal (custard apple), pineapple, guava etc.
- Fried rice, Biryanis, pulaos etc.
- White bread or any other maida item.
- Seafood and shellfish.
- Liver & Red Meat.
- Noodles, spaghetti.
- Strictly avoid mutton, red meats, liver, kidney etc
General Tips:
- Avoid sweets.
- Fats from vegetable sources are better than animal sources.
- Reduce bodyweight if overweight.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Avoid fasting.
- Regulate timing of prescribed medical therapy with the diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Can use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar but in regulated amounts.
- Take prescribed drugs regularly.
Diet:
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Low fat
- Vitamins A,B6,B12,C,D(esp after amputation), E, K
- Folic acid
Fruits & Vegetables esp dark green & deep yellow
Meat, poultry & seafood are main sources of B6,B12 & K
Vit E in oil
Vit D in milk products
Zinc, Iron & Copper are found in meats and to a lesser extent in whole grain
Magnesium & Chromium in whole grains
Copper in organ meats, nuts & seeds
Avoid Vitamins C & E and antioxidants in high doses as they reduce vascular permeability and may impair wound healing