Diet: A-Z diets

There are numerous diets that are out there (listed below). We advise you to consult with a health professional to discuss on the right diet that is required for you and your health condition. Diabetes Singapore advises on a balanced, nutritious diet.

The diets available include:

Belief-based diets	Buddhist diet  Hindu and Jain diets  Islamic diet I-tal  Kosher diet  7th day Adventist  Word of wisdom Remba/Lemba diet
Calorie and weight control diets	Low-calorie diets  5:2 diet Intermittent fasting  Body for Life Cookie diet The Hacker’s diet Nutrisystem diet  Weight watchers diet Very low calorie diets Inedia  KE diet  Tongue patch diet
Low-carbohydrate diets	Atkins diet Dukan diet  Kimkins South Beach diet Stillman diet
Low-fat diets	– McDougall’s start diet
Detox diets	Juice fasting Master cleanse
Diets followed for medical reasons	DASH diet  Diabetic diet  Elemental diet  Elimination diet  Gluten-free diet  Healthy kidney diet  Ketogenic diet  Liquid diet  Low-FODMAP diet Soft diet  Specific carbohydrate diet
Low carbohydrate high fat diets	Atkins diet Bulletproof diet Drinking Man’s diet  Dukan diet  Hamptons diet Keto or ketognic diet Pioppi diet Protein power Rosedale diet Salisbury diet Stillman diet  Sugar busters  Zone diet  Scarsdale medical diet  South beach diet  The 4-hour body
High carbohydrate low fat diets	F-plan  Ornish diet Mcdougall diet  Oritikin diet Rice diet The good carbohydrate revolution
Liquid diet	Cambridge diet Slim-fast KE fiet
Fasting	5:2 diet Breatharian diet Dubrow diet Intermittent fasting  Juice fasting Orthopathy Protein-sparing modified fast The last chance diet
Vegetarian diets	Fruitarian diet Lacto vegetarianism  Ovo vegetarianism  Ovo-lacto vegetarianism  Vegan diet

Diet for type-1 and type-2 diabetes

You can mitigate the difficulties of type-1 diabetes and avoid health complications by following proper dietary guidelines. Additionally, it can improve your overall quality of life. 

Starting a type-1 diabetes diet

Nutritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals are essential. It is best to choose healthy fats, proteins, and nutrient-sense carbohydrates for general health. To mange type-1 diabetes, work with your physician or dietician to manage your medications and eating times. Diabetics should also discuss what portions of carbs would be appropriate per meal, based on your needs. You should also factor in exercise and determine how much carbohydrate you need based on your activity level. 

Timing of your meals 

The timing of meals is very important for people with type 1 diabetes. Insulin doses must match meals. Meals with a low glycemic index (index) enable meals to be timed more easily. The body has plenty of time to react to low glycemic load meals (or to the injected insulin dose) as the blood sugar rises steadily. People who skip meals or eat late are at risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Foods to eat for a type 1 diabetic diet include complex carbohydrates such as

• Brown rice
• Whole wheat
• Quinoa
• Oatmeal
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• beans 
• Lentils

Carbohydrates 

Carbohydrates come in 3 forms: starches, sugars and fibre. They can be in the form of beans, starchy vegetables, fruits, pasta, or bread. In your digestive tract, carbohydrates are converted into sugar, which is absorbed into your bloodstream. Your glucose level rises as a result.

If you have type-1 diabetes, you need to manage your carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrates can affect blood sugar levels faster in some cases than others. When you have low blood sugar levels, it’s best to choose a fast-acting carb that is easily digested and absorbed by your body.

Starting with about 15 grams of carbs should be adequate. Check your blood sugar again, and eat another 15 grams if still low.

Fast-acting carbohydrates that have 15 grams of carbohydrates include:

• 1/4 cup of fruit juice
• 1 small fresh fruit (4 ounces)
• 4 to 6 crackers
• 2 tablespoons of raisins
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Fruits 

If you’re following a diet plan, fruits are natural sources of sugar and should be treated as carbohydrates.

You can choose between frozen and fresh food. It’s important to know how many carbohydrates are in certain fruit portions. This will help you control your insulin and blood sugar levels.

Some examples of fruits that contain 15 grams of carbohydrates are:

• 1/2 cup of canned fruit
• 1/4 cup of dried fruit
• 1 small fresh fruit
• 3 ounces of grapes
• 1 cup of melon or berries
• 1/2 cup of fruit juice

Do not limit yourself to 15 grams of sugar per meal or snack. Yet it is important to know how many carbs are in certain servings based on your insulin needs and blood sugar management plan.

Vegetables 

In many common vegetables, such as potatoes, corn, and peas, starch naturally occurs as sugar. Starchy vegetables contain more carbohydrates than other vegetables and should be consumed in moderation and accounted for when calculating your carbohydrate intake.

Non-starchy vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals and have a lower impact on blood sugar. This type of vegetable can be eaten in up to three cups per meal without having a significant impact on blood sugar levels.

If you have more than three cups of something, it has about 15 grams of carbohydrates, and anything below that is considered “free.” This include:

• green leafy vegetables
• asparagus
• beets
• carrots
• celery
• cucumber
• onions
• peppers
• sprouts
• tomatoes

Choose fresh or frozen vegetables without salt or sauces.

Starchy vegetables with 15 grams of carbs include:

• 3 ounces of a baked potato
• 1/2 cup of corn
• 1/2 cup of sweet potatoes or boiled potatoes
• 1/2 cup of peas
• 1/2 cup of winter squash

Whole grains

Whole grains are a nutrient-rich and fiber-rich source of starch. Whole grains should make up at least 50% of the diet. Brown rice, bran cereal, and whole grain bread are excellent sources.

Make sure your blood sugar is regulated with your medication by reading the labels and keeping track of what you eat in one sitting.

Proteins and fats

Proteins are essential for the maintenance and repair of muscles, while healthy fats are necessary for optimal brain and heart function.

In addition to meat and beans, proteins can be found in eggs and dairy products. Avocados, nuts, and seeds are examples of healthy fats.

Proteins and fats won’t directly raise your blood sugar, but experts recommend limiting consumption of processed or fatty meats, which contain high levels of saturated fat and sodium.

Even though these substances don’t directly affect blood sugar levels, eating too much of them can harm your health, especially your heart.

Foods to avoid for a type 1 diabetes diet include

• Diet sodas (as well as regular),
• Carbohydrates containing simple sugars (white bread, pastries, chips, cookies, pastas),
• Food containing hydrogenated fat (is labelled hydrogenated), and high-fat animals.
• Despite having no direct effect on blood sugar, fat can slow the absorption of carbohydrates.
• Despite little impact on blood sugar, protein provides steady energy. It maintains blood sugar levels and helps with sugar cravings and  feeling full after eating. You should include protein-rich foods on your menu such as beans and legumes, eggs, seafood, dairy products, peas, tofu, and poultry and lean meat.
• Five type 1 diabetes “superfoods” to eat include fiber, sardines, vinegar, cinnamon, and berries

 

---

References:

https://www.medicinenet.com/type_1_diabetes_diet/article.htm

https://www.healthline.com/health/type-1-diabetes-diet#6