Prediabetes/Diabetes and Nutrition

Reducing your risk of diabetes, or managing pre-diabetes or diabetes, with nutrition is one important part of optimal prevention and management.

Diabetes Canada is an organization that has set some dietary recommendations to prevent or manage diabetes. Here are some of the key points they recommend below, but you should speak with your healthcare provider about what is right for you. You can see all their patient resources here

• Eat three meals per day at regular times and space meals no more than six hours apart. You may benefit from a healthy snack to help stabilize blood sugars

• Limit sugars and sweets such as regular pop, desserts, candies, jam and honey as these may cause your blood sugars to rise higher

• Limit the amount of high-fat food you eat such as fried foods, chips and pastries as these are higher in calories, may result in weight gain, which can worse blood sugar control

• Eat more high-fibre foods such as whole grain breads and cereals, lentils, dried beans and peas, brown rice, vegetables and fruits. These can stabilize blood sugar, and maybe even cholesterol

• Drink mostly water

• Include low-glycemic-index foods such as legumes, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables

They also recommend considering diet patterns like the DASH diet (below) or Mediterranean diet (sample meal plan).