What can I eat now that I have diabetes? - Page 2

Sugary Carbohydrate

This is found in the following foods: -

Ordinary fizzy drinks and cordial, sweets, chocolate, sugar coated cereals, cakes, biscuits and puddings.

This glucose in sugary carbohydrates is not linked together in chains.

These foods are broken down more easily which causes your blood glucose to rise quickly.  Sugary foods can be included occasionally as part of your normal eating pattern.  They are best eaten in small quantities as part of a meal, e.g. instead of a pudding rather than a snack between meals.  Ask your Dietitian for more advice about how to include your favourite foods.

How does food and insulin fit together?

Blood glucose will always increase after food due to digestion and absorption, glucose levels usually peak 1-2 hours after eating.  The amount of sugar and fibre in foods will affect how quickly the food is broken down and therefore the rise in blood glucose level.  It is better for you to have a smaller rise in blood glucose after meals (sometimes called the post-prandial blood glucose excursion).

Insulin

Insulin is often given 2, 3or 4 times a day depending on age and lifestyle choices.

If given 2 or 3 times a day, the insulin is usually a mix of short and long acting insulin.  The first injection covers the rise in glucose after breakfast and lunch.  The second injection may cover just teatime or later into the night too.  A third injection would provide background insulin.  Not everyone will have a third or fourth injection.

On 4 times a day insulin, 3 injections go with food and one provides a background insulin.  Insulin is matched to the food you eat.  the diabetes will explain how the insulin you have works.

If no food is eaten the insulin taken will still work and will bring the blood glucose level down too low, causing a 'hypo'.  This is why it is described as a 'balance' between food, exercise and insulin.

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