Blood Sugar

• The life of a diabetic patient is really no different than any other person. There is one exception: They need to watch their carb intake. This is especially true for sweets like candy, cookies, baked goods and soda. When carbohydrates are eaten, they are converted to glucose and then either used for energy or stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles. The pancreas is responsible for releasing insulin to stabilize blood sugar levels after carbs have been eaten. In diabetics, the pancreas does not release insulin properly, which can cause blood sugar levels to be out of control. This can have dangerous side effects such as nerve damage, blindness, kidney disease and pneumonia. One positive effect of a diabetic's diet is the fact that meals are balanced, which will cause them to dispense into the blood stream at a slow rate. This helps keep blood sugar levels down and keeps the pancreas from having to release too much insulin.
  
  

Spacing

• Meal timing is another issue with diabetic diets. Most people normally eat one to three meals a day that are spaced many hours apart. Eating in this fashion can have a negative effect on blood sugar levels, causing them to dip and spike drastically. That's where the multiple meal plan comes into play. Diabetic diets are instructed to eat five to six meals a day, which not only keeps blood sugar levels stabilized, but it will also keep energy levels high. These meals, also sometimes called snacks, are usually made up of 50 to 60 percent carbs, 12 to 20 percent protein and 30 percent or less of fat.
  
  

Cholesterol

• Other than the impact that diabetes has on blood sugar and insulin, it also has a tendency to increase the risk of high cholesterol, and ultimately heart disease. For this reason, diabetic patients will be informed by their nutritionists to avoid foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fats. Some of these foods include whole fat dairy products, red meats and deep-fried foods. Monounsaturated fats, on the other hand, are used in moderation, as they are actually beneficial to the body. An example of one of these fats is olive oil.
  
  

Fiber

• Fiber is an indigestible substance that is found in various forms of carbohydrates. Some of these include whole grains, oat bran, wheat bran, fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes. A proper diabetic diet has a lot of carbs in it that are high in fiber. These carbs are called complex carbs and they get digested at a slower rate, which helps keep blood sugar levels under control.
  
  

Weight

• Weight control is another important factor that diabetics have to take into consideration. Being overweight or obese can exacerbate the symptoms of diabetes. With that being said, the diet plan is often set up with the intent of keeping weight under control or even losing weight if it is recommended by a doctor or nutritionist.