Type 1 Diabetes Indian Diet Plan: What to Eat & Avoid

Contents:

• What is Type 1 Diabetes? 
• What is the Role of Diet in Type 1 Diabetes? 
• What is the Best Diet for Type 1 Diabetes? 
• Indian Diet Plan for Type 1 Diabetes 
• Know What Foods to Avoid in Type 1 Diabetes 
• Don’t Have Time To Read? 
• FAQs 

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system mistakenly attacks the beta cells of your pancreas and halts the production of insulin. This interferes with the utilisation of glucose (sugar) in your body and increases your blood sugar levels.

What is the Role of Diet in Type 1 Diabetes?

The food you consume is the main source of energy for your body. It is broken down into glucose (sugar) molecules and transported by insulin into your cells, where it is converted into energy required by the body.

In Type 1 Diabetes, the absence of insulin in your body means that glucose is not taken up by your cells and its levels in the blood go up. This can lead to complications such as heart, kidney, nerve, and eye damage.

In Type 1 Diabetes, you need to take insulin externally to stabilise your blood sugar levels as it is not produced by your body. The dose of insulin should be related to the amount of carbohydrates present in the food you consume, your activity pattern, your age, and the type of insulin used.

If you consume less amount of carbohydrates and the insulin dose is relatively high, you may experience a hypoglycaemic state. On the other hand, if your carbohydrate consumption is relatively high when compared to the insulin dose you take, it may lead to hyperglycaemia.

What is the Best Diet for Type 1 Diabetes?

There is no standard diet for Type 1 Diabetes, but it is important for Type 1 Diabetics to make informed and calculated choices of food items for their diet. Foods with a low glycaemic index (GI), raise your blood sugar modestly while providing the necessary amount of carbohydrates required to produce energy for the body. Thus, low GI foods are a better choice for people with Type 1 Diabetes.

Eating a healthy diet with a range of macro and micronutrients can help Type 1 Diabetics maintain a moderate weight, and keep their cholesterol and blood pressure within target ranges.

A diet for Type 1 Diabetes should follow certain guidelines regarding the macro and micronutrients:

• Carbohydrates: A Type 1 Diabetes diet should include more complex carbohydrates and food with low glycaemic index, such as whole wheat flour, multigrain flours, millets, flours with bran, whole vegetables, fresh fruits, pulses, and dals.

• Fibre: Fibre can slow the absorption of sugar from food and help prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. You can incorporate fibre in your diet in the form of nuts, salads, unstrained soups, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

• Proteins: Proteins help a person feel satiated for a long time as they break down more slowly than carbohydrates in the body. Proteins also lower the glycaemic index of meals as they slow down the digestion of carbohydrates. Include protein sources such as low-fat milk and milk products, fish, chicken, egg, nuts, and dry fruits in your meals.

• Fats: Fats play an important role in a healthy diet, but you should choose healthy unsaturated fats in your diet. Do not use excess butter, cheese, cream or mayonnaise in your food. Use olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, etc., as sources of healthy fats in your diet. 

• Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins and minerals are necessary components for the vital functioning of your body. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are some of the richest sources of vitamins and minerals and should be included in plenty in your diet.

So which foods from each food group can a Type 1 Diabetic include in their diet? Here are a few options you can include:

Lean Meat and Dairy

Lean meat is a healthy option if you are a non-vegetarian with Type 1 Diabetes. You can include chicken, turkey, beef cuts, poultry, rabbit, and duck in your diet and limit the intake of unhealthy fats. 

Milk is a source of fat and healthy, low GI carbohydrates (lactose sugar) that provide energy to your body, but also have an impact on your blood sugar levels. Skimmed or low-fat milk can be a better alternative to whole milk as it contains lower fat and calories but provides the same nutrients. Choose unsweetened milk and watch your portion size.

Non-Starchy Vegetables

Non-starchy vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, fibre and phytochemicals. You should include plenty of non-starchy vegetables in your diet as plant-based diets are known to show beneficial effects on diabetes, weight loss, and blood pressure.

Non Starchy vegetables are fibre-rich and have less effect on blood sugar than starchy vegetables which contain sugar. Non-starchy vegetables include:

• Amaranth
• Asparagus
• Bell peppers
• Bamboo shoots
• Broccoli 
• Cauliflower
• Baby corn
• Green beans
• Eggplant
• Greens, such as lettuce, cabbage, and spinach

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are a good source of fibre, which can slow down the absorption of sugar into the blood. They are also a good source of protein. Examples include:

• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and cashew nuts
• Seeds: Pumpkin, chia, hemp, and sunflower seeds

Legumes

Legumes include beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, and peanuts. These contain carbohydrates but are significantly low on the glycaemic index. They are a good source of protein and are low in fat. A few examples of legumes include:

• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Green gram 
• Chickpeas

Whole Grains

You should choose whole grains over refined grains as part of a Type 1 Diabetes diet. Whole grains are a source of carbohydrates, but their higher fibre content ensures that they have a slower effect on blood sugar levels than refined grains. 

However, whole grains should also be consumed moderately, considering the portion size of the food and its effect on blood sugar levels. Few examples of whole grains include:

• Brown rice
• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Buckwheat
• Quinoa
• Millet

Indian Diet Plan for Type 1 Diabetes

Now let us have a look at a full-day Type 1 Diabetes diet chart comprising Indian food items. 

• Breakfast: 1 cup vegetable poha or upma, with 1 cup tea or coffee (no added sugar)
• Mid-Morning Snack: 1 cup of orange and grapefruit salad
• Lunch: ½ cup salad + 1-2 chapatis (made of whole wheat flour) +1 cup dal or roasted chicken + 1 cup curd
• Evening Snack: 1 glass milk + moong dal cheela topped with chopped capsicum or roasted chana
• Dinner: 1-2 multigrain roti (jowar, bajra, or whole wheat) or 1 cup brown rice + 1/2 cup beans curry +1 glass buttermilk
• Bedtime: 1 glass milk + 3-4 walnuts or 4-6 soaked almonds (to avoid low blood sugar levels throughout the night and until breakfast)

Know What Foods to Avoid

It is essential for Type 1 Diabetics to know what foods to avoid as well. Foods that are devoid of nutrients and can cause a sudden and drastic increase in blood sugar levels should be avoided. Some examples include:

• Added sugars
• Foods made with refined grains, such as white bread, pasta, and rice
• Sugary breakfast cereals
• Sweet treats, such as cakes, biscuits, pastries, and candies
• Processed foods
• Soda, diet soda, and other sugary drinks
• Fried foods
• Foods high in saturated and trans fats
• Alcoholic beverages