1. Diabetes and Diet
Presentation
Basanda Boruhova RN
CUNY School of Professional Studies
May 12, 2015

2. What is diabetes?
 Is increasingly common health condition, effecting 29.1 million Americans
 Diabetes can happen to ANYONE
 Risk factors:
 Obesity
 High cholesterol
 High blood pressure
 Physical inactivity
 Family history of diabetes
 Diabetes is more common in Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic
Americans and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders

3. What goes wrong in diabetes?
Insulin is hormone that allows the glucose to get inside the cells
where it can be used for energy
Glucose is form of sugar that provide energy to the body

4. Symptoms of diabetes
Hypoglycemia
 Shaky
 Fast heartbeat
 Sweating
 Dizzy
 Anxious
 Hungry
 Blurry vision
 Weakness/fatigue
 Headache
 Irritable
Hyperglycemia
 Extreme thirst
 Need to urinate often
 Dry skin
 Hungry
 Blurry vision
 Drowsy
 Slow healing wounds
Normal glucose
level 70-110
mg/dl
For diabetics
100-150mg/dl

5. What are carbohydrates?
 Quickly and easily breakdown into
glucose, hence they are sugar
 The MAIN source of energy for the
body
 Carbs are foods that effect sugar
levels the most
 Example of carbs are: fruits, starchy
vegetables, breads, pastas, rice,
sugar, syrup, honey
Think BUDGET!

6. Carbohydrate count can
be found in the nutrition
facts label
Remember, amount of
carb to eat per day
varies depending on
age, medications
taken, blood level of
sugar, body weight,
physical activity level.

7. What foods should I eat?
 Beans – nutritious, high in fiber, good source of potassium and magnesium
 Dark green leafy vegetables – low in calories and carbohydrates (e.g. spinach,
collards, kale)
 Citrus fruit – contains fiber and vit C (e.g. grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes)
 Sweet potato – full of vit A and fiber
 Berries – any type, great source of antioxidants, vitamins and fibers
 Tomatoes – pureed, raw, or in the sauce makes no difference
 Fish – high in Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is best choice
 Whole grain – barley, oats are nutritious
 Nuts – are best choice in managing hunger
 Low fat milk and yogurt
Fiber is form of sugar but it does
not contribute into calories.
Recommended to eat 20-35
grams per day. Fiber adds bulk
making one feel full. 6-8 cups of
water recommended to avoid
constipation

8. Eating out
 Choose a restraint that offers healthy food choices
 Eat vegetable instead of French fries
 Try fish or poultry that is grilled or boiled instead of fried and breaded or
foods that are in heavy sauce.
 Ask for salad dressing and sauces on the side
 Choose foods that you really like but make accommodations: skip on the
potato if you’re having your favorite bread roll
 If you order your favorite entrée, either share or take half home
 Remember, dining out is a social experience – so concentrate on sharing
time with family and friends
 Choose your favorite dessert but make sure to share it with your
companions and take care a walk afterwards
Sugar substitute- do
not contain or have
few calories. Splenda
contains 1 gr of carb
per packet so chose
Equal, Sweet N’ Low
instead

9. Ordering dessert
Instead of cake, cookies, or ice cream,
try:
 Sugar-free jello or hard candies (but
always read the Nutrition Label on every
food for serving size information)
 Sugar-free hot cocoa
 Fruit with cool whip
 Lower fat cookies like ginger snaps,
vanilla wafers, graham crackers, animal
crackers (again, observe serving size)
 No sugar added pudding or fudgsicles
 Eating very small portions of your favorite
treat
Instead of potato chips or tortilla
chips, try:
 Low-sodium pretzels
 Air-popped popcorn
 Baked chips or baked tortilla chips
 Cut raw veggies with low fat dip, salsa, or
low fat cream cheese
 Pickles

10. What foods would you choose to eat for BREAKFAST?
Drink
Fruit

11. Breakfast plates

12. What foods would you choose to eat for LUNCH/DINNER?
Drink
Fruit

13. Lunch/Dinner plates

14. Is alcohol off limits with diabetes?
 Facts:
 Alcohol can cause low blood sugar shortly after drinking up to 24 hours
 Symptoms of drunkenness and low blood sugar are similar - sleepiness,
dizziness and disorientation – wear ID band “I have diabetes” to avoid
confusion
 Moderation is important with alcohol consumption
 Do not drink on empty stomach
 Check your sugar before drinking, do not drink if sugar is low
 Sip your drink slowly to savor it and make it last longer
 Sweet wines, sweet vermouth and wine coolers – may increase your
sugar level
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DRINKING
With your doctor's approval,
alcohol should be limited to
two drinks a day. A "drink" is
defined as a 12 ounce beer
(preferably light beer), a 4
ounce glass or wine or a 2
ounce glass of dry sherry or 1.5
ounces of a distilled beverage,
such as whiskey, rye, vodka or
gin.

15. Tips to remain engaged in self-
management of diabetes
 You already acquired the first tip – educating
yourself about diabetes and diabetic diet
 Next, see a nutritionist or your doctor to find out
what is YOUR carb requirement, so you can enjoy
your favorite foods spread out throughout the day
 Develop social support to manage diabetes better
 Accept it and say to yourself “I will handle it!”
Ask your doctor “This is what I learned, is this
applicable to me?”