A crucial tool in controlling diabetes is being vigilant about
what you put in your mouth. But, some experts say, you don't
have to be a slave to the glycemic index or banish cake and ice
cream forever. The primary goal for diabetics is to regulate
their blood glucose (sugar) levels because they can't rely on
their bodies to naturally produce enough insulin, the hormone
that shuttles glucose from the bloodstream into cells. With Type
1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin, while with Type
2, the pancreas progressively makes less and less insulin or the
body has difficulty using it (known as insulin resistance).
Anyone with diabetes should meet with a dietitian to formulate a
meal plan tailored to their particular needs, experts say. But
there are some general best practices. Carbohydrate-rich foods,
which break down into glucose during digestion, are of principal
concern in a diabetic's diet. Those who use mealtime insulin
injections — usually Type 1 diabetics and some Type 2 diabetics
— typically have