A good diet is important in helping control glucose levels. Building a healthy diet should start with plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These foods are a good source of fiber and are often low in fat and cholesterol. Whole grains such as oatmeal are particularly good choices.

Eating foods that are a good source of fiber may keep your blood glucose from rising too fast after you eat (1-3). The American Diabetes Association recommends getting 20 - 35 grams of fiber from the foods you eat every day. Just one cup of cooked old-fashioned oatmeal gives you 4 grams of total fiber. Eating foods that are a good source of fiber, such as oatmeal, other whole grains, beans and legumes, may help maintain healthy blood glucose levels already within the normal range (4).

A healthy diet is an important component in managing diabetes. Before you make changes to your diet, you should always develop an appropriate plan with your healthcare provider, such as a registered dietician.

1. Wursch, P., and Pi-Sunyer, F.X. The role of viscous soluble fiber in the metabolic control of diabetes. Diabetes Care 20:1774-1780, 1997.
2. Tsihlias EB, Gibbs AL, McBurney MI, Wolever TM.Comparison of high- and low-glycemic-index breakfast cereals with monounsaturated fat in the long-term dietary management of type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr 2000 Aug;72(2):439-49.
3. Wolever TM, Bolognesi C.Prediction of glucose and insulin responses of normal subjects after consuming mixed meals varying in energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate and glycemic index. J Nutr 1996 Nov;126(11):2807-12.
4. Hallfrisch, J., Behall, K.M. Mechanisms of the effects of grains on insulin and glucose responses. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 19:320S-325S, 2000.