When you are diagnosed with diabetes one of the first people you will be advised to see is a nutritionist or dietician. They are usually based at your local medical centre and will be part of your diabetic team.
To be told that you are suffering with diabetes – whether it is Type 1 or Type 2 will always be a shock. And restrictions about what you can and can not eat, and the need to lose weight, can be overwhelming at first.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago and since then have done several courses on diet related to the illness. Unfortunately it’s all too easy to give in to temptation. Now and again I allow myself the occasional cake or biscuit, and about once a month enjoy a few fried chips.
However thinking about the effects of diabetes on my general health in the future, I have had to discipline myself regarding diet and weight loss. In truth if you are carrying too much excess weight it could cause more serious illnesses in future years. It’s much better to manage your diet and diabetes now.
Your meals will need to be planned and they need to be full of nutrition, but not loaded with carbohydrates. Depending on your weight and overall health a dietician can provide you with a meal plan that will meet the daily needs of a healthy diabetic diet and also help you lose weight.
One of the main concerns with meals when you are diabetic is to make sure you are getting enough food, so that your blood sugar does not drop too low. Regular blood tests are essential because you need to monitor your blood sugar levels to check for any spikes in your readings, which may be related to the food you are eating.
If you follow the recommended diet plan but it’s not working for you because you always feel hungry or your blood sugar reading is too high or too low, call your diabetic team. They can give you advice over the phone to make immediate changes and then arrange an appointment to revise your dietary plan.
Your dietician may also recommend substitutions for your favourite foods. Losing weight with diabetes doesn’t need to be a chore. Just because you are a diabetic this doesn’t mean that you can never enjoy some of your favourite foods.
Portion sizes are very important when you are trying to lose weight. A good idea is to serve your meal on a pudding-sized plate rather than a dinner plate. (A smaller portion but it looks just as big on a smaller plate!)
In truth there are not many foods that you can not have as a diabetic – except those absolutely loaded with carbs, as long as you plan your meals accordingly, get plenty of exercise and eat in moderation.
Of course ideas change as new research comes along, but your dietician or nutritionist will have the updates as soon as they are published. Try to follow their advice and combine foods in the way you have been taught by your diabetic support team.
Call your dietician immediately for advice if you are unsure about any aspect of your diet or medication. And always wait to hear from them before you make changes to your food or medication regime.
By: Irene Forde
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The author is a Type 1 diabetic and knows that weight loss is not always easy to maintain even for those in good health and for a diabetic is can be even more difficult. Counting carbohydrates whilst still maintaining a nutritious diet is very important. Learn more about diabetes at www.movingonwithdiabetes.com
