Indian Diet for Diabetic Patients

Indian food diet for diabetes plays a great role in the treatment of diabetes. This diet can be used alone or in combination with various oral hypoglycaemic drugs and insulin injections. The diet plan is usually based on the physical activity, sex, age, weight and height. The nature of diabetes also matters to a great extent. Before incorporating Indian foods in the diet, the following points should be taken into consideration:

• The energy requirements have to be determined
• The type of food preparations, fiber and carbohydrates should be determined
• The presence of various complications such as high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure should be checked.

When diabetes mellitus is insulin dependent, the intake of foods is based on the normal growth as well as development. It also depends on maintenance of body weight as well as physical activity.  When diabetes mellitus is non insulin dependent, most of the patients are obese and overweight. Thus, restriction of calories is required for achieving a desired weight.  This is very essential in the Indian food diet for diabetes.The type and amount of carbohydrates and fiberCarbohydrates are complex starches. They cannot be called as simple sugars. When they breakdown, they are converted into glucose. Fiber is present in various vegetables, grains and other starches. Thus, the process of glucose absorption is slowed down. Emphasis should be on high fiber foods. One must not choose high fiber supplements. Sample diet plan

• Early morning, one must have a cup of tea without sugar
• For breakfast, one can have corn flakes, toast, boiled eggs
• Mid morning, a bowl of fruit chat is very beneficial
• For lunch, a person can have 2 chapatis, lobia curry, whole dal, karela sabzi or capsicum subzi. A bowl of raita or curds is also good.
• In the evening, a cup of milk or tea is very good. This can be accompanied  with a vegetable sandwich.
• For dinner, a person can have 2 chapati, salad and cabbage subzi.
• Fruit custard and kheer is good during bed time.

Things to remember

• Controlling the time and amount of foods consumed is very important
• A person must not miss out meals
• The likes and dislikes of the patient should be taken into consideration
• The craving for sweet should be substituted with fruits.

Thus, following Indian food diet for diabetes is very beneficial.