Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Greetings.... !!!

To control the blood sugar levels it is important to maintain a balanced food intake, in terms of composition and timings. To start with, make sure that she maintains the meal timings and composition. The second most important thing is to be physically active. Her age may not allow her to carry out intensive workouts, but she can get started with light walk, deep breathing exercises etc. Simple activities like gardening, playing with kids and walking to the nearby grocery store would keep her active.

In lack of a strict routine even the most perfect diet plans fail to perform and give positive results. Here are some important dietary guidelines for better blood glucose management:

Avoid simple sugars like glucose, honey, candies, sugar, chocolates, ice creams, fried food and refined food like white bread. Fatty dairy products like cheese, cream, mayonnaise and butter are best avoided.. However you are required to maintain a fat intake of 3-4 tsp. per day as it is important for the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and other nutrients.

Restrict fruits rich in carbohydrates like XXXXXXX sapota, grapes, banana, custard apple and avocado and vegetables like potato, colocasia, yam, pumpkin and tapioca, Check the intake of nuts and dry fruits. Nuts provides the good fat and hence a moderate use is always beneficial. However avoid taking the fried or salted nuts. Eat the allowed fruits along with the skin, to get more fiber. Avoid coconut and its products, except coconut water which may be included in moderation.

Ensure that there is sufficient intake of raw vegetables and salads in the diet. Raw vegetables, salads and fruits add the much needed fiber to the diet. It delays the absorption of sugar and helps in maintaining the blood sugar levels. Promotes regular bowl movements and support weight maintenance by regulating the calorie intake. Also include the cooked beans and peas and whole grain products in the diet.

Limit the intake of white bread and buns, cakes and cookies as these are mostly made with refined flour and contain Trans or Saturated fat and sugar.

Consider taking oils like soybean, mustard, canola, safflower, rice XXXXXXX olive and corn oil as these are good sources of unsaturated fat. The intake of these should be limited to 4 tsp. per day. Nuts and dry seeds like those of pumpkin and watermelon are good sources of healthy fats that improves HDL cholesterol profile, while helping to control the LDL cholesterol and trans fat levels.

Add legumes and pulses, low fat milk and its products are also good sources of quality protein. If she eats non-vegetarian, than limit the intake of non-veg to lean cuts of chicken fish and take only the whites of egg.

Protein supplements may also be considered if she is losing weight. Any protein supplement which is especially formulated for people with diabetes can be included. Some examples are Diabetic Resource High protein, Glucerna SR and D- Protein.

Knowledge about the Glycemic Index (GI) of food is important. GI is a measure that indicates how fast the food would get converted to glucose after digestion. Higher GI value indicates a higher conversion ratio of the diet to glucose. Therefore it is advisable to avoid the foods with high GI values.

High GI foods: potato, banana, grapes, custard apple, sugar and foods that contain sugar, refined cereals and its products like white bread and corn bread, white rice, corn and its products. Also the drinks like boot, XXXXXXX etc. has high GI values as they contain added sugar.

Low GI foods: Low fat dairy, vegetables and fruits (except those mentioned in the high GI list), whole grains and cereals, salads, oats, barley, pulses and non-sugary peanut butter.

Hope you find this helpful.

Meenakhsi

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