Diet Chart For Diabetic Patients PDF Free Download

The reason of bringing this Diet Chart for Diabetic Patients PDF Free Download for you is that a current study shows that over 101 million people i.e. over 11.4% of the country’s population are suffering from diabetes. This diet chart is from CMC Vellore. You can use this diet chart to live a healthy life. So, without talking too much let’s read the article and download and adopt a good lifestyle.

Diet Chart for Diabetic Patients PDF Free Download

Role of Diet in Diabetes

Diet plays an important role in the management of Diabetes Mellitus. Eating the right food at the correct time is crucial for maintaining acceptable blood glucose values. knowing what food to eat, helps one monitor blood glucose levels and maintain it within the normal range. This gives him/her maximum confidence to lead a healthy normal life and achieve his/her maximum potential.

What is food composed of?

Food we eat contain various component. That includes nutrients, fiber and water. Their role in our body is explained below:

Fat gives us energy
Vitamins regulate body functions
Minerals regulate body functions
Fibre regulates blood glucose levels
Water regulates various functions
carbohydrates give us energy
proteins help bodybuilding

carbohydrates directly cause an increase in the blood sugar levels. There are different types of carbohydrates and their effects.

What happens to carbohydrates in the body?

Carbohydrates are broken into sugars. That enters every body cell with the help of insulin to provide energy. When food is broken into sugars, it enters the bloodstream. Some foods are broken faster and appear in the bloodstream quickly. Some food takes longer to be broken, hence appear slower in the bloodstream.

Diet Chart for Diabetic Patients PDF Free Download

diabetes-patient-diet-plan.pdf

Glycaemic index of foods

Glycaemic index is a measure of the rise of blood sugar after consumption of a particular food as compared to a reference food. Foods are classified according to their glycaemic index. They are foods with high GI, moderate GI and low GI. The foods with the high GI are easily digested by the body and readily appear as blood sugar in the blood stream. Those with the low GI is less readily appearing in the blood stream. High GI foods must be restricted and those with low GI must be encouraged.

High (>70) cereals
Medium (56-69) Vegetables
Low (<55) Legumes, millets

Very High sugar foods

Foods like table sugar, honey, jaggery are called simple sugars since they are readily digested by the body resulting in a sudden rise in blood sugars. They have a very high GI. These sugars are incorporated in foods like sweets, soft drinks, pastries, and cakes and they are best avoided.

High Carbohydrate Foods

Carbohydrates form the major portion of our Indian diet. Food items like rice, idli, dosa, chapati, appam, puttu, and paratha have a high proportion of carbohydrates(65-80%). These foods are easily digested and cause an elevation in blood sugar. They have a high GI. They should be eaten in limited amounts to prevent high blood sugar. Underground vegetables like potatoes, yam, colocasia, and tapioca are also starchy foods and must be restricted.

Moderate Carbohydrate foods

Whole gram pulses are moderate sources of carbohydrates (55-
60%). However carbohydrates present in pulses are only gradually released into the bloodstream. This is because of their high fiber content. Hence including them in meals helps to keep blood sugars under control. They are the low-GI foods.

What is fiber? Is it good for health?

Fibre is a type of carbohydrates present in food that our body
cannot digest. It gets evacuated with the feces. Previously fibre was considered a waste product with no health benefits. However scientific studies have proved that fiber has immense advantages. The benefits of fibre are that it:

Lowers sudden rise in blood sugars- lowers glycaemic index of foods.
Lowers cholesterol levels in blood
provides satiety.
Aids in easy bowel movements
Helps in weight reduction

Which foods contain fiber?

Whole grains- unpolished rice, whole wheat flour chapatis, ragi preparations
Whole gram pulse- sundal preparations
Fruits with edible skin and seed ( guava, grapes, banana, pomegranate…)
Vegetables- green leafy vegetables

USE MORE FIBRE-RICH COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATE FOODS!

The fiber present in these foods traps the sugars and only gradually releases them into the bloodstream, thereby preventing a sudden rise of sugars in the bloodstream. Thus it is important to include at least one serving (100gm) of fibre-rich food with each meal.

How much carbohydrates should be eaten by Diabetes patients?Diet Chart for Diabetic Patients PDF Free Download

The amount of carbohydrates that can be eaten depends on the
individual’s nutritional status (underweight/ normal weight
/overweight /obese), age of the person, gender, activity levels,
medication, and presence of other co-morbidities. The recommendation is that it should constitute 60-65% of the total calories (ICMR 2010). The dietician will help you decide on the carbohydrates you need and recommend the cereal portion (major source of carbohydrate)for each meal.

What foods can be taken in unrestricted amounts by Diabetes patients?

Foods that do not cause a rise in blood sugar like black coffee, black tea, unsweetened lime juice, clear soups, salads, greens, sugar-free drinks, and flavored water. These foods are low in carbohydrates and calories and can be taken in unlimited amounts.

How often should a person with Diabetes eat?

A diabetes patient should eat at regular times. They should follow a 3 meal pattern with snacks in between. If on insulin medication, make sure you take your meals and insulin injections at the correct time. Insulin continues to work in the body for varying periods of time and hence to prevent a low blood sugar situation (hypoglycemia) from happening, long gaps between meals should be avoided. You should never miss your breakfast. The late-night snack you take before going to sleep is very important as it helps to prevent a hypoglycaemic
attack at night.

What to do during an episode of hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar falls below 70 mg. This can occur if you delay your meals, in case of excessive physical activity, or take an insulin injection but delay your food. You may experience sweating/dizziness/loss of consciousness/shivering during a hypo attack. Please check your blood sugar and if it is below 70mg%, take 15gm (3 teaspoons) of glucose. Wait for 10 minutes and check your blood sugars again. If it continues to be low, take another 15 grams of glucose. After levels have reached acceptable levels (80mg% and above) take a meal or snack within 30 minutes. Always carry glucose with you wherever you go.

What are the foods that are to be avoided? Why by Diabetes patients?Diet Chart for Diabetic Patients PDF Free Download

Sugary foods like cakes, pastries, carbonated drinks, Indian sweets (laddoos, jelabis, etc.), ice-creams, lollipops, chocolates, sweets, jaggery, and honey are high in simple sugars and are easily absorbed by the body resulting in a sudden raise in blood sugars. These are best avoided.

What is a balanced diet for diabetes patients?

A diet that contains adequate carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins & minerals and fiber is a balanced diet as it meets our daily requirements. A picture of a balanced lunch/dinner is given below. A diabetes diet is a balanced diet.

Are snacks important? When and why should I take snacks in between meals?

Snacks are very important to prevent hypoglycemia in patients. They should be taken three hours after meals. This prevents the blood sugars from going too low, that is below 70mg%.

Which foods is allowed in the diet of diabetes patient?

Answer for this question is please see the given PDF all the necessary details is provided in the Diet Chart for Diabetic Patients PDF Free Download.

What are the 3 rules of a diabetic diet?