How should I eat if I have type 1 diabetes?

If you have type 1 diabetes, what you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat all affect your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Ask to see a dietitian who knows about diabetes. Together, you'll design a meal plan that can help you reach your goals and include your favorite foods. A few tips to get you started include:

• Choose dairy products like low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese.
• Choose lean meats and chicken without the skin.
• Eat fish 2-3 times per week.
• Eat vegetables and fruit every day.
• Choose whole grain breads, cereals and pasta.
• Choose foods with less salt.
• If you are trying to lose weight, cut back on your portion sizes.

Below are examples of ways to change your meals:

• For lunch, choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich and a side salad instead of chicken fingers with French fries.
• For breakfast, choose whole wheat toast with light margarine or butter instead of a bagel with regular margarine or butter.

A helpful tool for managing type 1 diabetes is carbohydrate counting. It can be used as a basis for adjusting your insulin.