There is no single diabetic diet

Diabetes is a heterogeneous syndrome, and no single list of foods or simplified meal plan suffices for all individuals with diabetes. A diabetic diet is a balanced, nutritional diet.

Nutritional therapy for persons with diabetes:

•  Carbohydrates should comprise a substantial portion of the diabetic's calories. However, not all carbohydrates are created equal.
• Complex carbohydrates vary in their glycemic effects. Fiber content of foods may alter rates if digestion and absorption of carbohydrates e.g. legumes and whole grain cereals cause a smaller increase in blood sugar level than more simple sugars such as ripe bananas, ripe fruit which induce hyperglycemia when consumed alone.
• The general misconception that 'carbohydrates' should be avoided is unfounded; the diet of a diabetic will often contain 50% or more calories as carbohydrates (except possibly in patients with hypertriglyceridemia).
• Saturated fats and 'trans' (partially hydrogenated) fats should be limited.
• High fat foods are high calorie foods contributing to weight gain
• All diabetics are prone to atherosclerosis; foods high in saturated fatty acid content or in cholesterol must be restricted
• Diet rich in poly and mono-saturated fats such as canola oil and olive oil, fish oil

Exercise and the diabetic;

• Exercise lowers glucose in the Type1 diabetic when insulin is aboard
• Exercise can improve glucose tolerance (reduced insulin resistance) in obese Type2 diabetics
• Exercise alters the affinity of insulin for its receptors and training increases the number of insulin receptors
• Exercise should be prescribed for all able diabetics; an exercise stress test may be necessary in older diabetics to assess the presence of coronary artery disease if the patient will be starting a significant exercise program.