For you as a type 2 diabetic, the issue of “eating correctly” is an important factor influencing the success of your treatment. With a diet that is suitable for diabetes, you not only lay the foundation for your diabetes treatment, but also prevent long-term complications. It can therefore be important for you as a diabetic to rethink your existing menu and habits around eating and to replace them with new, healthy eating habits suitable for type2 diabetes. You should therefore seek detailed advice from your doctor, a nutritionist or as part of special patient training courses.
For many type 2 diabetics, the diabetes menu is also about losing weight. A healthy weight not only improves your blood sugar levels, but also your blood pressure and blood fat levels. That is why a low-fat, balanced diet is an important part of the treatment, especially for overweight people with type 2 diabetes. In particular, you should keep an eye on hidden fats in sausage, meat, cheese, sauces, ready-made meals, sweets and cakes or pastries. Your diabetes-appropriate diet is not about strict rules or prohibitions, but rather about becoming aware of which eating habits and which foods support your health and to integrate them into your everyday life.
Nutrition guide: The food pyramid gives diabetics a quick overview
Which foods are right for you?
With the help of a food pyramid, we have divided common foods into different classes for you. The further down the pyramid the foods are, the more often you should consume them. In this way, you can quickly and easily see which foods are suitable for you and which are rather unsuitable. Basically, to have a balanced diet, you should eat foods from every food group.
Type 2 Diabetes Menu Food Pyramid
General nutritional tips for type 2 diabetics
• Reduce your excess weight slowly but permanently by reducing calories.
• As a type 2 diabetic, you should calculate your diet according to calories and not according to bread units (bread units are important for type 1 diabetes).
• Do not go on a diet in the classic sense. "Get full without giving up" is the motto! Large amounts of "green" foods are most advantageous.
• Prefer foods that are high in fiber, such as whole wheat bread, whole wheat flour, or legumes. They satisfy and fill you up for longer, slow down the rise in blood sugar and have a beneficial effect on the blood.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and unsweetened tea. You should almost completely avoid alcohol if possible.
• Prefer vegetable fats, they have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. If possible, stick to fixed times and locations for your meals.
• If possible, only eat 3 main meals per day and choose fruit and raw vegetables as snacks. Do not eat sweets when you are hungry, only after meals.
