NURSE ROSIE KIND

DIETARY NEEDS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

✅ CARBOHYDRATES (in small controlled portions)

Choose high-fiber, whole-grain or starchy foods:

Sweet potatoes (boiled, not fried)

Pumpkin (boiled or steamed)

Brown maize nshima or roller meal nshima

Groundnuts (in small quantities – good fat and protein)

Millet or sorghum porridge (with no sugar)

Beans and cowpeas (nyemba) – rich in fiber and protein

✅ VEGETABLES (unlimited portions, boiled or lightly sautéed)

R**e

Chibwabwa (pumpkin leaves)

Lumanda

Impwa (garden eggs)

Okra

Bondwe

Cabbage

Chinese cabbage

Onions, tomatoes, green peppers

✅ PROTEINS (important for satiety and sugar control)

Kapenta (dry or fresh, grilled or boiled)

Fish (bream, tilapia, etc.) – grilled, boiled, or steamed

Chicken (preferably without skin, grilled or boiled)

Eggs

Beans and lentils

Soya chunks or mince (without too much oil)

✅ FRUITS (1 small portion per snack or meal)

Choose low glycemic index fruits:

Guava

Pawpaw (papaya) – small portion

Avocado – high in good fat, helps control blood sugar

Apple – 1 small

Oranges – 1 small

Lemons – can be added to water or meals

🚫 Avoid bananas, mangoes, and grapes in large amounts – they spike sugar fast.

✅ HEALTH FATS

Avocado

Groundnuts (nsanyi) or peanut butter (no sugar added)

Cooking oil – use small amounts, preferably sunflower or olive oil

✅ DRINKS

Water – best choice

Herbal teas – unsweetened

Lemon water

🚫 Avoid: sugary drinks, sweetened juices, and excessive tea with sugar.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS;

Eat regular meals (don’t skip meals)

Include a vegetable in every meal

Choose boiling, grilling, steaming over frying

Avoid too much salt and sugar

Check portion sizes (especially nshima and fruits)

Diabetes mellitus is manageable and adherence to drug therapy or life style change is very important to keep your glucose levels at bay.

A blessed Sunday 😊
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