NHS Diet Advice for Diabetes

In the UK, current (2009) NHS diabetes diet advice is that there is no special diet for people with diabetes.

Although many people with diabetes focus on the carbohydrate content of their meals and prefer a low-carb diet for tight blood glucose level control, the NHS (and Diabetes UK) recommend a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat, sugar and salt and contain a high level of fresh fruit and vegetables.

NHS dieticians

Earlier this year, top NHS dieticians were reported as providing the following tips for people with diabetes.

Together, these can be said to sum up the NHS approach to controlling type 2 diabetes with diet.

• Eat plenty of starchy carbohydrates
• Eat carbohydrate foods with a low GI
• Avoid high GI foods, especially between meals
• Eat regular meals and healthy snacks
• Don’t miss breakfast
• Don’t skip meals
• Avoid all unhealthy/hydrogenated fats
• Choose low-fat dairy products
• Check food labels
• Choose lean meat and remove fat and skin
• Avoid fried and fast food, and baked goods
• Keep hydrated and avoid binge-drinking