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Type 1 diabetes
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Diet in type 1 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information Diet in type 1 diabetes

A healthy, balanced diet is important for anyone with type 1 diabetes in addition to using injected insulin. The aim is to carefully manage glucose intake and blood glucose levels by eating plenty of whole grains, vegetables, fruit, nuts and fish, and keeping animal fats to a minimum by eating lean meat.

Keeping blood glucose levels as close as possible to recommended levels is also important to avoid blood glucose highs (hyperglycaemia) and lows (also known as ‘hypos’ or hypoglycaemia), as well as the long-term complications of diabetes.

What foods can people with diabetes eat?

People with diabetes can eat foods containing sugar, but this should be as part of a healthy high fibre, low fat diet. A healthy eating plan, which includes foods that have a low glycaemic index (GI) value, can help people with diabetes to avoid blood glucose highs and glucose lows.

An assortment of healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, wholegrain breads, nuts, beans and fish. 

Foods that form part of a healthy diet include wholegrain bread, fruit, most vegetables, pasta, beans, nuts, lentils, fish, and oat and bran-based cereals. These foods are all low or medium on the glycaemic index (GI) and can help you to carefully manage glucose intake and blood glucose levels.
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Reference

Craig ME, Twigg SM, Donaghue KC, et al for the Australian Type 1 Diabetes Guidelines Expert Advisory Group. National evidence-based clinical care guidelines for type 1 diabetes in children, adolescents and adults. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, 2011. www.diabetessociety.com.au/downloads/ Type1guidelines14Nov2011.pdf (accessed 15 November 2011).

Date published: 2011-12-06 00:00:00

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