Keep your body – and diabetes – in balance with holistic eating
If you have diabetes, you're probably well aware of the need to watch what you eat. But have you ever looked beyond just counting carbohydrates or going low fat? It can make a big difference in how you feel.
At Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Institute for Health and Healing, Nutritionist Carolyn Denton shows people with diabetes how to take a holistic approach to eating.
"The body works very hard to balance glucose and insulin," she says. "Every cell needs glucose to create energy. And glucose is available to the body through insulin."
What you eat affects how your glucose and insulin levels relate to each other. That's why Denton encourages people to consider how each food choice they make affects their body’s overall balance.
Count quality carbs
"When you have diabetes, you hear a lot about counting carbohydrates," says Denton. "But there is a distinction between the qualities of carbs."
For example, eating whole grain crackers is better than having saltines. A white potato would raise blood glucose more than a sweet potato.
Try legumes
Denton calls legumes, such as black beans, lentils, kidney beans, pinto beans and navy beans, "wonderful foods for regulating blood sugar." They have a protein and fiber that slows down how quickly glucose enters your system.
Eat good fat
Although people with diabetes are often encouraged to go low-fat, Denton recommends the "good fat" in fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds. "It slows down how quickly glucose gets into the system, so your body has a better chance to balance your blood sugar and insulin."
Beware of hidden sugars
Refined sugar like "the dreaded corn syrup" hides in many low-fat foods.
"When the fat is removed, corn syrup is put in for flavor," says Denton. "That's why low-fat mayonnaise is worse for people with diabetes than full-fat mayo. Low-fat dressings and yogurts also have hidden sugars."
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Herbs, minerals and diabetes control Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Source: Carolyn Denton, nutritionist, Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Institute for Health and Healing
First published: 04/12/2006
Last updated: 04/12/2006
Reviewed by: Mary Frederick, RN, diabetes program manager, Allina Medical Clinic; Paul Kleeberg, MD, medical director, Allina.com
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