Types of Diabetic Diets

There are two types of diabetic diets.

1. Measured diet, in which the amount of food to be eaten at each time of the day is specified and
2. Unmeasured diet in which the patient is supplied with a list of food grouped into three categories - foods with a high concentration of carbohydrate content which are to be totally avoided; foods with a relatively stable un-concentrated carbohydrate content which are to be eaten in modernization only and non-carbohydrate foods which may be eaten as desired.

Measured diets are required for patients, who are being treated with insulin and also for some of those who are overweight. Such strict diet has to be followed only until the standard weight is reached, thereafter the diet may be increased, and monotony can be avoided by using the list of exchanges for diabetic diets.

In juvenile diabetes, it is important to see that the child does not become too fat because of hypoglycemia. Too much insulin can lead to excessive appetite and hence to obesity. A diabetic child should, avoid sweets and other sugar foods; otherwise the composition of his diet need not differ from that of other children of his age.

Diet for Pregnant Diabetics

Requirements for most nutrients increase with pregnancy and are similar to diabetic and non-diabetic women. But they should maintain good blood glucose control. Three meals and three snacks are required to avoid hypoglycemia.