Nutrition Basics

The first thing that many people with diabetes wonder about is what types of food they can and cannot eat.

The best approach to healthy eating is to eat a variety of foods. Your body requires nutrients to repair and replace proteins, tissues and cells. Your body needs three important nutrients to do this: protein, carbohydrate, and fat, as well as vitamins and minerals.

Carbohydrate:

Carbohydrates (or carbs) supply most of the glucose your body uses for energy. Your body glucose goes up as carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and absorbed.

Types of carbohydrates:

Vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole-grain, cereals, grains, pastas and breads.

Protein:

Protein is an essential nutrient in any healthy diet. They are used to repair the body. Proteins are not used for energy unless there are not enough carbohydrates and fats present. People who have kidney problems may be advised to limit the amount of protein they eat.

Types of Protein:

Meat, poultry, milk products, eggs, vegetables, grains and legumes.

Fat:

Fat is used to rebuild the membranes that protect the cells in your body and to help the cells in your body send signals. Fats are also stored and used as energy reserves. Your body also makes its own cholesterol which is separate from the cholesterol you eat in food. You'll need to limit the amount of cholesterol and harmful fats you eat in order to keep your cholesterol in check.

Types of Fat:

1. Healthy fats: They are found in plant foods such as nuts and oil.
2. Unhealthy fats: They can lead to clogged arteries, heart disease and stroke. They are found in bacon, butter, cocoa butter, cream cheese, palm oil, meat, poultry, and egg yolk.