Dietary guidelines for diabetic patients

chinacdc.cn | Updated: 2023-03-16

Experts who compiled the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Adults with Diabetes (2023) have eight dietary tips for diabetic patients, based on nutrition science, traditional Chinese medicine and research on diet-related chronic diseases.

Developing rational dietary habits

A balanced diet should include a fixed amount of staple food, varied vegetables, fruits, milk and beans, appropriate amount of meat, as well as less oil, salt and sugar. While controlling blood sugar, diabetics should cultivate a reasonable dietary pattern to ensure adequate daily energy and nutrient intake.

Restraining from obesity or emaciation

The ratio of macronutrients to total dietary energy for diabetics is recommended to be: 15 to 20 percent protein, 45 to 60 percent carbohydrate, and 20 to 35 percent fat.

People with diabetes should pay special attention to maintaining their weight within the ideal range. Weight loss can help obese patients improve insulin resistance and control their blood sugar. Those diagnosed with emaciation or malnutrition should increase dietary energy and protein, and conduct resistance exercise under the guidance of nutritional instructors to reach and maintain a healthy body weight. Elderly patients should focus on preventing muscle attenuation.

Prioritizing low-GI foods

The glycemic index (GI) measures the impact of food on blood sugar. Low-GI foods are conducive to postprandial blood sugar control. One can choose whole grains and other low-GI foods with reference to the glycemic index table of common foods. Accordingly, whole grains and miscellaneous beans should account for more than one third of the staple food intake.

Improving insulin sensitivity through exercises

Diabetics can exercise after meals. They should exercise at least five days a week, 30 to 45 minutes each time, and moderate-intensity exercise should account for more than 50 percent. Take actions step by step and persevere in it. Exercise plays an important role in controlling blood sugar and improving one's physique.

Choosing a light diet and limiting alcohol intake

Pre-diabetics and diabetics should maintain a light diet. Alcohol plus a large meal can cause blood sugar to spike. The excessive intake of oil, salt, sugar and alcohol will make it hard to maintain blood sugar, blood lipids, blood pressure and other metabolic indicators at a normal level. A light diet, limited alcohol consumption, and stable blood sugar can arrest the occurrence and development of diabetic complications.

Choosing right food as therapy

In traditional Chinese medicine, food can be therapeutic, as food with mild properties and flavor is often used to correct people’s metabolism, so that the human body can achieve a balanced state of yin and yang. The approach adheres to the dialectical principle, and can be highly adaptable to different person, time or local conditions.

Sticking to a regular eating habit

The time for three meals and extra meals of a day should be relatively fixed. Regular meals of fixed amount can avoid overeating caused by the slow response of the satiety center, which is a result of excessive hunger. No matter eating at home or out, do not eat or drink too much. Patients with a long course of diabetes and history of insulin injections should monitor blood sugar and keep it stable through dietary adjustments.

Improving self-management skills

Patients need to equip themselves with diabetes knowledge and self-management skills, such as food pairing, cooking, sports management and blood glucose monitoring, and integrate them into daily life.

They should keep regular contact with dietitians and physicians with rich clinical experience for consultation and follow-up guidance, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to control blood sugar and prevent complications from progressing.

Dietary guidelines for diabetic patients

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