Diabetes does not have to be a devastating diagnosis for sufferers so long as diabetics work at managing their disease. 

Carefully monitoring their ABC numbers - their A1C (blood glucose or sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol - will help lower the chances of a diabetic having a heart attack, a stroke, or other diabetes problems.  

Diet is one critical element in managing the disease. 

Registered dietitian Kristen Lomas warns that when blood glucose is not kept within desirable ranges, it can lead to serious health problems, including chronic complications such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. 

“By choosing better foods and understanding how certain food choices affect the blood glucose, you can help to avoid these complications,” she says. “In addition, when blood glucose is in the appropriate range, many people have more energy, can increase their exercise and generally just feel better.” 

Foods to avoid 

Although it is important to avoid certain foods, it is also vital for diabetics to be aware of the amount of carbohydrates they consume and to follow a “heart-healthy diet” so as to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

She warns diabetics to avoid saturated fats in their diet, ensuring that those fats account for no more than 7 per cent of daily calories. 

“Saturated fat is in high-fat dairy products, such as cheese and ice cream, and high fat animal proteins, such as fattier cuts of beef, sausage and bacon. Nutritional labels list saturated fat, so become aware of the amounts in different foods,” she advises. 

Ms Lomas also says diabetics should avoid trans fats, usually found in processed foods, shortening and some stick margarines. Again, the amount of trans fat is listed on the nutritional labels of food. “If the product contains any trans fat, you should avoid it,” she says. 

Another ingredient to avoid is sodium. “Keep your sodium intake to no more than roughly 2,000mg per day - unless your doctor has advised a lower amount. Sodium is also shown on the nutritional label so ensure to look at all the products you buy, especially packaged and processed items,” the dietitian says. 

Just because a person is diabetic does not mean he or she needs to survive on a bland or restrictive diet, or that special diabetic foods should be the only things on the menu.  

“The nutritional plan for a diabetic is the same for the general population – food choices should consist of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats,” says Ms Lomas. 

“One difference with a meal plan for a diabetic is that they may have to be much more careful with the timing of their foods, especially based on their specific medicine or insulin regimen,” she explains.  

“There are concepts called ‘carbohydrate consistency’ and ‘carbohydrate counting’ that all diabetics should be familiar with. This highlights that carbohydrates, and not just sugar, as many people believe, is what raises blood sugar levels. In addition, if a diabetic is overweight, they should follow a nutritional plan that will help them to lose weight as excess weight can make it more difficult to control their blood glucose,” she says. 

According to Cayman Islands Health Services Authority statistics, diabetes is the second most prevalent disease in Cayman, after high blood pressure - although in many cases, these two illnesses go hand in hand. 

Of the 33,037 patients registered within the public health system, 5.8 per cent or nearly 2,000 people - were treated in the last year for diabetes. This figure does not include individuals who have not sought medical treatment in the past year, those who have been treated exclusively by medical professionals outside the HSA and undiagnosed diabetics.  

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day will be observed on 15 November.