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Diabetes mellitus, often simply called diabetes, makes it hard for the body to control the level of glucose in the blood. Glucose is the main form of sugar in the body. There are three main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes. This type used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM, or juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus. A person who has this type of diabetes makes little or no insulin. Most will need to take insulin shots one or more times a day.
• Type 2 diabetes. This type used to be known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM, or adult-onset diabetes. This is by far the most common type of diabetes. The person who has type 2 diabetes might make healthy or even high levels of insulin. But due to an effect of obesity, the cells in the body are often resistant to the effects of insulin.
• Gestational diabetes. This type is brought on by pregnancy. In most cases, this type of diabetes goes away after the child is born.

• a genetic defect or pancreatic diseases
• hormonal problems
• being exposed to certain drugs or chemicals

What is the information for this topic?

• is based on treatment goals
• takes into account what the person is able and willing to do
• is sensitive to cultural, ethnic, and financial factors

A proper diet for a person who has diabetes focuses on these overall goals:

1. It helps to maintain blood glucose levels as near to a healthy range as possible.

2. It helps keep blood lipids such as cholesterol at healthy levels to help reduce the risk of complications. This includes:

• HDL (that is, "good" or "healthy" cholesterol)
• LDL (that is, "bad" or "lethal" cholesterol)
• triglycerides
• VLDL (very-low-density lipoproteins)

• For adults, it means the diet will help them maintain or reach a healthy weight.
• For children and adolescents, it means the diet provides enough energy to promote normal growth and development.
• For both groups, the diet should also allow for special events such as breast-feeding or getting over an illness.

4. It helps to prevent and treat complications of diabetes, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

People who have any type of diabetes should follow these general guidelines:

• Protein: Depending on the person's kidney function, the ADA recommends that 15% to 20% of his or her daily calories come from protein. The protein can be from both animal and plant sources.
• Fat: Less than 10% of the person's daily calories should come from saturated fats. No more than 30% should come from all types of fat combined. The remainder of the calories should come from proteins and carbohydrates. Specific dietary guidelines need to be adjusted for each person based on his or her goals for blood glucose and blood lipid levels, as well as weight.
• Cholesterol: The person's intake of cholesterol should be less than 300 mg daily.
• Fiber: The person should choose a variety of fiber-containing foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Some studies have shown a positive effect on blood glucose levels from fiber. But a person would have to eat very large amounts of fiber to have this effect. So, experts recommend a person stick with 5 to 9 servings a day of fruits and vegetables.
• Sodium: Sodium, or salt, intake should be no more than 2,400 mg/day for people with mild to moderate high blood pressure.
• Alcohol: Men should have no more than two drinks a day and women no more than one drink a day. One drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1-1/2 ounces of distilled spirits. People who have a history of alcohol abuse or women who are pregnant should avoid alcohol. Those who have diabetes along with other medical conditions, such as pancreatitis, high triglycerides, liver disease, or neuropathy, should restrict or avoid alcohol.
• Vitamins and Minerals: When people who have diabetes eat a balanced diet with enough nutrients, there is often no need for extra vitamins or minerals. For some people, the healthcare professional may recommend supplements.

A diet plan for a person with type 1 diabetes is designed to match insulin therapy with the person's eating and exercise patterns. Mealtimes are planned around the effects of the insulin shots. The person measures blood glucose levels one or more times a day. Then he or she adjusts the dose and type of insulin as needed.

• Slightly decrease the number of calories eaten each day. Most often, this means 250 to 500 calories less than the average daily intake total that the person is used to eating.
• Follow a meal plan that contains healthy foods and less total fat.
• Become more physically active. Follow the exercise guidelines for a person with diabetes.
• Space meals throughout the day. This is especially true of carbohydrates.

• the needs of both mother and baby
• blood glucose levels
• ketones in the urine
• appetite
• weight gain