Diabetes and Food Questions
Answered by Tamara Kurtis Randall, MS, RD, LD
Q. I have recently been told I am Diabetic. Here's my problem. They tell me to eat lots of fruit - yet fruit is high in carbohydrates and I'm not supposed to eat carbohydrates. They say to eat grains and again, grains are high in carbs. Just what am I supposed to do?
A.
Carbohydrates are the body's energy source, so you just can't stop eating them. According to the food guide pyramid, you should plan your meals around grains (preferably whole grains), vegetables and fruits. Because these are the foods that are converted into blood glucose, it is important to try to balance your carbohydrate intake so that you eat about the same amount at each meal, instead of avoiding them altogether.
Q. My Diabetic Educator told me that I can subtract the amount of Fiber in a product from the amount of Carbs when I am trying to figure my total intake. So if something has 23 carbs and 5 fiber I would only be using up 18 carbs. Yet, when I test after eating this way, my numbers are up. Did I misunderstand?
A. You understood. Our bodies cannot digest fiber, so if there is more than a gram or two per serving, you can subtract that from the carbohydrate content. As to why your blood glucose is high after these foods, it's very hard to say. Different people react differently to foods, so you may just need to take note of the foods that cause your blood glucose to rise more than expected and eat smaller portions of those foods.
Q. My father is Diabetic and eats and drinks anything he wants, whenever he wants in any amount he wants. His solution? He gives himself a shot of insulin!
This scares me to death, but he says that's what his body would do so what's the big deal. What do you say?
A. Your father is correct. When our bodies are working properly our pancreas releases insulin to help us use the food that we eat for energy.
As long as your father's blood glucose values are consistently in the range his doctor recommends, he's not putting himself in any danger.
Q. What is Malitol? Is it ok to eat?
A.
Malitol is a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols are used in products marketed to people with diabetes because they are absorbed and metabolized more slowly than sucrose (table sugar).
They still contribute to the carbohydrate content of the food and, in large quantities, cause diarrhea, so use these products cautiously.
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