DIET SHEET IN ENGLISH FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS . FAQ

 

DIABETIC DIET CHART 

Early Morning (6:00 – 6:30 a.m.)

          Skimmed Undiluted Milk (Coffee / Tea without sugar) – 100ml (1/2 cup)

Breakfast (8:00 - 8:30 a.m.)

          Idly / Idiappam / Wheat Bread (Slices) – 3-4nos.

(OR)

          Dosa / Ragi Adai / Chapathi – 2-3nos.

(OR)

                Upma (Semolina / Oats / Sago) / Pongal / Kichdi – 1 cup

                Thick Sambar / Dal – 1/2 cup

                Chutney (Avoid Coconut) – 2-3tbsp 

Mid Morning (10:30 - 11:00 a.m.)

              Buttermilk / Veg. Soup – 1 cup

                            Fruits – 50-100g / Salad – 1 cup

Lunch (1:00 - 1:30 p.m.)

Rice – 1 cup / Chapathi – 2 nos. / Rice -1/2 cup + Chapathi – 1 no

Thick Sambar / Dhal – 1/2 cup

Vegetables as: Poriyal / Greens / Sabji / Salad – 1 cup

Curd (Skimmed Milk only) – 1/4 cup

Tea Time (4:00 – 4:30 p.m.)

Skimmed Undiluted Milk (Coffee / Tea without sugar) – 100 ml (1/2 cup)

Sundal / Sprouts / Roasted Bengal Gram Dhal – 1/2 cup

Fruit – 50-100g

Dinner (7:30 – 8:00 p.m.)

Same as Breakfast / Lunch

Bedtime (9:00 – 9:30 p.m.)

Undiluted Skimmed Milk (Without sugar) – 50 ml (1/2 cup)

Measurements

1 cup = 1 coffee dabera = 200 g cooked weight

1 tbsp = 15 g

1 tsp = 5 g

Note:

Oil – 2–3 tsp / day (10-15ml)          

   

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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Fruits that can be taken are as follows,
• Fruits such as: water melon, melon (musk), papaya, figs, guava & amla can be taken frequently.’
• Fruits to be taken occasionally are: apple, apricots, dates, grapefruit, jambu fruit, peach, pear, pineapple, plums, orange, strawberries & sweet lime.
• Fruits that need to be taken rarely are: banana, custard apple (seethaphal), grapes, jack fruit, mango & sapota in very less quantity only.
• Vegetables to be taken rarely (1-2 times / week) in less quantity (50g) are: beetroot, carrot, green plantain.
• Foods to be avoided: sugar, glucose, honey, jaggery, sweets, halwas, burfies, jams, jellies, preserved fruits, dried fruits, aerated drinks, cake, pastries, candy, fried foods, horlicks, bournvita, proprietary drinks, chocolate drinks, chocolates, ice cream, alcohol, karakuzhambu.
• Foods containing lower calories and can be included freely in diet are: clear soups, diluted skimmed buttermilk, unsweetened lime & tomato juice, rasam/pepper water, plain coffee/tea, raw vegetable salads. These foods can be taken in between meals and whenever there is feeling of hunger.
• Dietary regulation involves consumption of a balanced diet with small frequent meals / snacks. Do not starve, skip a meal or go on an empty stomach. Equal spacing of the 3 major meals and snacks each day is very important.
• Include all five food groups namely, cereals, pulses, vegetables & fruits, milk products, fats & oils in the daily diet in the right proportion.
• Any type of cooking oil can be used, but use in moderation only for seasoning. Seasoning & frying of all foods should be within the oil allowance. Baking, roasting, steaming or boiling can be used as a method of cooking instead of frying foods.
• Non-vegetarian foods (Chicken / Fish / Eggs) can be consumed in restricted quantity (3-4 pieces / day) boiled, steamed or baked form, and not in the fried form without substituting dhal & vegetables.
• For restricted salt, use salt only in one dish in one meal. (Ex. If idly is with salt, sambar should be without salt). Avoid papad, pickles, preserved foods, chips, sauce, ketchup, dry fish, baking powder, masala powders, salt biscuits & pastries.
• Fluid normally 2-2.5 lt/day. If there is fluid restriction, output + 500ml is the recommended fluid intake. All dishes should be of thick consistency.
• Brisk walking for 30-45 mins is recommended every day.

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    FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

• Should wheat be substituted for rice in a rice eating population?

The amount of calories in rice and wheat are the same, however the quality of protein is high in rice whereas the quantity of protein is high in wheat. Wheat has more fibre and tends to delay increase in blood sugar levels when compared to rice. A mixed diet containing both rice and wheat are suggested.

• Should fruits be avoided?

Fruits are good source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants but must be taken only in recommended allowance & at a particular time. Fruits are recommended as a whole fruit with edible skin instead of fruit juices.

• Can a diabetic undertake fasts?

Fasting must be avoided as it alters the metabolism of the body and it can be dangerous when taking medications for diabetes.

• What to take on a sick day?

On sick days, when normal food is not tolerated, food should be modified to suit the condition. Liquid, semisolid, bland or steamed food is recommended. But once the patient recovers, it is best to revert back to regular modulated diet.

• What are the guidelines while travelling?

While travelling it is suggested that food is carried whenever possible. If not, one must learn to choose from what is available and not starve. Low fat preparation based on cereal, pulse and vegetable combination is best preferred to rich oily food items.

• Should non-vegetarian foods be completely avoided?

Non-vegetarian foods can be taken daily / weekly / occasionally. These food items require regulated consumption such that it does not contain more calories. They must be consumed along with vegetables, dhal and cereals and be taken only in quantity prescribed each day.

• How many meals are allowed per day?

Three meals a day consisting of breakfast, lunch and dinner with a nutritious tea time snack is best suited for Indians. However, an early morning & bed time milk beverage is also allowed. A mid morning low calorie drink is also provided. It is best to have a gap of 3 to 4 hours between each main meal, as the GI tract needs a physiological rest. More than 4 hours of gap is also not advisable for diabetics and it is important to see that the overnight period of starvation is not too long. 

• Is timing of the meals important?

It is important that the diabetic patient takes meals at the right time. When a doctor prescribes anti-diabetic medication, it is even more important that the patient takes the medication and the meal at the appropriate time as specified.

• Can diabetic take alcohol?

Alcohol provides empty calories (calories with no nutritive value) and should generally be avoided. If one cannot do without it, take a drink with low alcohol content, that is, light beer, light wine. Calorie content of the drink should be adjusted in the diet.

• Should salt be restricted in the diet?

Salt restriction is necessary when hypertension is also present. Highly salted foods like pickles, papads, salted chips, processed foods, tinned foods, sauces, processed meat, etc. should be avoided. Soda water, baking powder, baking soda, ajinomoto that contain sodium should also be avoided.

• Is it necessary to avoid foods rich in fats and cholesterol?

It is better to follow a low fat, low cholesterol diet. If Cholesterol and Triglyceride values are high, avoid the following foods – fried foods, fats like butter, cheese, dalda, ghee, khoa, cream, coconut oil, coconut preparations, organ meats, etc.

• Is exercise helpful?

Regular exercise helps to maintain desirable body weight, and controls blood sugar level by increased glucose utilization by the muscles. Exercise tones up the body and improves cardiovascular fitness.

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