Nutrition for Diabetes in Seniors — Type 1, Type 2 & Prediabetes

Millions of people in the United States live with diabetes or prediabetes, including millions of older adults, making diabetes a major health concern for seniors or people with aging relatives. One of—if not the—most crucial aspects of diabetes management is a healthy diet. Here's how many people can adjust their diets to better manage their diabetes.*

Although it is commonly known as juvenile diabetes, people can receive a type 1 diabetes diagnosis at any age, and the condition is lifelong, meaning plenty of seniors have this condition.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin or the pancreas produces too little of it. Insulin is crucial for managing blood glucose levels, or blood sugar levels. Without insulin, cells don't get the glucose they need for energy while excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream. The result is that people with untreated type 1 diabetes are at increased risk for serious conditions, including:

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Nerve damage
• Blindness
• Loss of limbs
• Hypoglycemia/low blood sugar
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

While there is no known cure or prevention for this disease, people can manage it with insulin and a healthy diet. A diabetes diet for someone with type 1 should focus on controlling carbohydrate intake, as carbs can raise blood glucose levels. But a good diet for type 1 diabetics should focus not just on limiting carbs, but also in consistently eating roughly the same amount of carbs every day (if the individual takes fixed doses of insulin) and eating at regular intervals to prevent spikes and sharp drops in glucose levels throughout the day.

Good food choices for type 1 diabetics include non-starchy vegetables (like kale, spinach, and carrots), whole grains (like brown rice and quinoa), lean meats, legumes, and whole fruits (instead of fruit juices).

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in the United States, with upwards of 90% of individuals with diabetes having type 2. Unlike type 1 diabetics, type 2 diabetics can produce their own insulin. However, type 2 diabetics are resistant to insulin, meaning that this hormone cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels the way it should.

Type 2 diabetes is mostly caused by controllable risk factors like excess body weight/obesity, not eating a balanced diet, and leading a sedentary lifestyle. That means the best ways to combat this condition are healthy weight loss, developing a healthy eating plan, and engaging in physical activity on a regular basis.

Foods to avoid or limit with type 2 diabetes include refined grains and cereals like white rice, red meat, starches/carbs, high-fat dairy products, processed foods with added sugar, and foods high in saturated fats and trans fats. Foods to enjoy with type 2 diabetes include low-fat dairy products, foods with "healthy fats" (peanut butter, olive oil, etc.), legumes, and vegetables like kale and sweet potatoes.

Prediabetes occurs when someone is at enhanced risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to increasing resistance to insulin, which causes elevated blood sugar levels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 96 million US adults (18+) have prediabetes. Of those, 26.4 million are older adults (65+).

The good news about prediabetes is that it is reversible. Eating healthy foods is a core component of diabetes prevention, and it can reduce the body's resistance to insulin, helping to keep AC1/blood glucose levels within a healthy range. Carb counting and reducing sugar intake are key parts of mitigating diabetes, as well as keeping portion sizes smaller.

No matter what type of diabetes someone has, the following tips can help anyone better maintain blood glucose levels.

• Check food labels for "Added Sugars" in addition to "Total Sugars" to better track how much sugar is truly in each meal/serving; it's best to have foods with little to no added sugars.
• Buy plain/no-sugar foods and then add sweeteners, as most people add less sugar to their foods than manufacturers do.
• One short-term solution to reduce sugar intake is to use artificial sweeteners as sugar substitutes. Later, the individual can work on weaning off artificial sweeteners, as long-term use of these substitutes may not be as harmless for people with diabetes as many experts originally thought.

• Use food labels to see just how many total carbohydrates are in a suggested serving to better track total carb intake.
• Choose high-quality carbs like whole grain bread, brown rice, and quinoa. Avoid highly processed, low-quality carbs like white bread and white rice.
• Use the glycemic index to better decide which foods are right for the individual. The glycemic index rates foods on how much/how quickly they can raise blood sugar levels; foods with a lower number are typically better for people with diabetes.

No matter what type of diabetes someone has, the key is to maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active, and have a diet that is conscientious of carbs, added sugars, and "unhealthy" fats. At St. Andrew's, we tailor meal plans to our residents' individual needs and wants. That means crafting healthy meals that are also delicious, so that mealtime is truly something to savor every day.

Contact us to learn more about how we accommodate all residents' dietary needs.

*Disclaimers: This article does not constitute professional medical advice. The information contained herein cannot diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or condition. Do not make any changes to diet or lifestyle without first consulting a registered dietitian or other healthcare provider.