Anyone who is diagnosed with diabetes is going to have questions about food.

What can I eat?

What should I not eat?

What is best for me to eat?

There is no doubt that nutrition is an important component of blood sugar control and learning about and understanding your diet and nutrition options is highly recommended. Your dietary choices should be reviewed with your healthcare team at your yearly check, and also if you have any treatment changes or changes in your condition. (1)

The best way to choose a diet you can stick with should be based on an assessment of your current eating patterns, your personal preferences and your personal goals.

USDA Dietary Guidelines: (2)

As you know, there are many types of diet and it can be confusing to determine which is best for you. The US Department of Agriculture guidelines emphasize the consumption a variety of vegetables from all the subgroups; fruits, especially whole fruits; grains, at least half of which are whole grains; lower fat dairy; a variety of protein foods; and oils. This eating pattern limits saturated fats and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium.

Here are some of the most common diets you might have heard about:

Mediterranean-style: Contains plant-based food (vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, fruits, and whole grains); fish and other sea food; olive oil as the principal source of dietary fat; dairy products (mainly yogurt and cheese) in low to moderate amounts; typically fewer than 4 eggs/week; red meat in low frequency and amounts; wine in low to moderate amounts; and concentrated sugars or honey rarely. The emphasis is on fresh home-cooked food with little or no processed foods. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to prevent and even reverse diabesity (3).

Vegetarian or vegan: Vegetarian diets consist of plant-based foods devoid of all flesh foods but including eggs (and/or dairy products. Vegan diets are devoid of all flesh foods and animal-derived products (including no eggs or milk).

Low-fat: Contains vegetables, fruits, starches (e.g., breads/ crackers, pasta, whole grains, starchy vegetables), lean protein sources (chicken, fish, lean red meat, including beans), and low-fat dairy products.

Very low-fat: Contains fiber-rich vegetables, beans, fruits, whole intact grains, nonfat dairy, fish, and eggs.

Low-carbohydrate: Contains vegetables low in carbohydrate (such as salad greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, cabbage, and others); fat from animal foods, oils, butter, and avocado; and protein in the form of meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, cheese, nuts, and seeds. Some plans include fruit (e.g., berries) and a greater array of non-starchy vegetables. Avoid starchy and sugary foods such as pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, and sweets.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH): Contains vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts; reduced in saturated fat, red meat, sweets, and sugar-containing beverages. May also be reduced in sodium.

Paleo: Contains food such as lean meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, nuts, and berries. Avoids grains, dairy, salt, refined fats, and sugar.

It is very important that any dietary choice be followed by dietician advice and follow-up (4)

Use Dario App!

  • Track the effect of your diet on your glucose levels ​​and see if you are maintaining your in-range levels
  • Use the option of setting reminders following blood sugar testing
  • Get real-time relevant information for you in managing your condition

1,4 Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association, 2019

2 Nutrition Therapy for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Consensus Report https://doi.org/ 10.2337/dci19-0014

3 Rationale for the Use of a Mediterranean Diet in Diabetes Management
Gretchen Benson, et at. Diabetes Spectrum 2011 Feb; 24(1): 36-40.
https://doi.org/ 10.2337/diaspect.24.1.36

DAR-0145 RevA 01/2020