Fats, for in stance, butter, oil and margarine, are concentrated so urces of energy. A gr am of fat provides more than double th e calories of carbohydrate and protein. 1 gram fat = 9 calories, w hereas 1 gm carbohydrate / protein is 4 calories. Choosing the Right Fat
All fats give the same amount of calories but they differ in nature.
The basic types of fats are:
Saturated Fats: These harden in cold climate, eg:
• Vanaspati ghee
• Coconut oil
• Margarine
• Ghee
• Butter
• Cream
These saturated fats should not be used by the diabetic as they tend to increase the level of cholesterol and other lipids in the blood, further elevating the incidence of complications.
Unsaturated Fats: These normally remain in liquid state and are advised in moderation, eg:
• Saffloweroil • Seasame oil
• Sunflower oil • Rice bran oil
• Com oil • Groundnut oil
• Soyabean oil • Cottonseed oil
Fats consumed are grouped as:
a) Visible fat
b) Invisible fat or hidden fat
Visible fats include oil, butter, ghee, margarine and salad dressings. Hidden or invisible fats include fat in the meat, poultry, egg yolk, whole milk, sausages and nuts.
These foodstuffs are rich in fat and one may tend to eat more due to ignorance about their nutritive value.
Since there is invisible fat present in the natural food that we eat every day, it is recommended that the cooking medium should not exceed 15gms/day for an adult and should be mainly unsaturated in nature.
A cholesterol intake of not more than 300 mg per day would be reasonable. High cholesterol food are listed below:
High Cholesterol Food
Beef Sausages
Pork Liver
Lamb Sweet Bread
Veal Heart
Mackerel Tongue
Salmon Egg yolk
Trout Butter
Crab Cream
Lobster Cheese
Kidney Condensed milk
Oyster Whole milk and its products
Various ways of decreasing cholesterol and saturated fats in the diet are:
• The use of unsaturated oils should be restricted to 1/2 kg per person per month.
• Use skimmed or low fat milk and milk products.
• Instead of butter, use cottage cheese or dried curd.
• Decrease use of red meat. Instead use fish or chicken.
• Bake, grill, roast, boil or steam food instead of frying them.
Although the life expectancy of diabetics has somewhat improved, but it has resulted in the onset of chronic complications due to atherosclerosis which compelled broadening of aims of diet therapy.
• Achieve and maintain ideal body weight
• Lower elevated blood sugar levels (not glycosuria alone).
• Achieve desirable cholesterol and other lipid fractions including triglycerides.