Type 1 Diabetes Diet Meal Planning

The main concern for Type 1 diabetes diet is finding the correct balance between the food they eat and the medicine they take. A well thought out diet can make all the difference, and reduce the amount of medication and frequency of injections required. The body needs sugar to run on. All foods are eventually broken down into sugar, and insulin releases this sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. In a non-diabetic, the pancreas produces insulin as needed, but for Type 1 diabetes insulin must be injected to release the sugar and avoid the build up of glucose in the blood.

A good plan is to keep a food and testing journal that shows your meals and glucose test results. This will help you identify problem areas and help you continually improve your meal planning to attain the proper balance. Take into account any exercise plan that will help you burn calories as well. Most insulin dependent diabetes can take an insulin injection shortly before eating. If meals are planned to contain roughly the same amounts of nutrients each time, it will be easier to find an adequate dosage of insulin. Children with diabetes should be carefully monitored, as their dietary needs will change as they grow.
Carbohydrates are the bane of diabetics diet. Although necessary for energy, if not burned off quickly they break down fast and dump sugar into the bloodstream. A careful balance of insulin, carb intake and exercise is needed to maintain optimal levels of glucose in the blood. Varying your diet too widely from meal to meal or day to day can cause fluctuations and render it difficult to accurately pinpoint the amount of insulin required. The average Type 1 diabetes requires around 16 calories per pound of body weight per day, and carbs should make up no more than 50 - 60 % of the total.

If you plan ahead, you can adjust your insulin dose to counter a high carb meal or a special dessert, and prevent a surge in glucose levels. Being a diabetic means practicing self control where food is concerned, but an occasional treat is OK if you prepare for it in advance.

Prepare for low glucose levels as well by keeping snacks on hand for when your blood sugar dips. If you test very low, soda, fruit juice or hard candy combined with rest can bring your level back up and give you time to prepare a meal.

If you make it a habit to eat your meals on a regular schedule, you can avoid unexpected highs and lows. Eating balanced healthy meals can also rule out erratic glucose activity, so plan each meal to include the correct portions of each food category as well as the right balance of proteins, fats and carbs. This will help you assimilate the sugar from your food more evenly. With proper nutrition, Type 1 diabetes can be controlled more effectively and insulin intake modified.