According to Phyllis Barrier, a registered dietitian and director of council affairs for ADA, this step alone may be enough to maintain normal blood glucose, or sugar, levels. Maintaining these levels helps reduce the risks of retinopathy and other diabetes-related complications, such as kidney and heart disease. Other people use the Exchange Lists for Meal Planning, she said. This system, established by the American Dietetic and American Diabetes associations, separates foods into six categories based on their nutritional makeup. People following this plan choose a set amount of servings from each category daily, depending on their nutritional needs.
Some people count protein and fat grams, too.
These two nutrients also can affect blood sugar levels, although to a lesser extent. Limit fat to 30 percent or less of daily calories. Limit saturated fat to 10 percent or less of daily calories. Limit protein to 10 to 20 percent of daily calories. For those with initial signs of diabetes-induced kidney disease, restrict protein to 10 percent of daily calories.