Asda doesn't sell special 'diabetic products'
Asda doesn't stock diabetic food products. There is a myth that people with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods but this is not the case at all, as diabetic versions of foods actually don't offer any benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, contain as much fat and calories as the standard equivalent products and are usually more expensive. They can also sometimes have a laxative effect.
In fact, both Diabetes UK and the Food Standards Agency are calling for an end to the use of terms such as ‘diabetic’ or ‘suitable for diabetics’ on food labels.
Alternatives to Diabetic Products
You can eat the normal version of all types of product. It is however essential that very small amounts of these products are consumed each day, in order to regulate and maintain blood glucose levels. Biscuits, cakes and ice-cream can be eaten sparingly as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
People with diabetes should generally try to maintain a healthy weight and - much like everyone else! - eat a diet that is low in fat, low in sugar, low in salt and high in fruit, vegetables and starchy carbohydrate foods.
There are no foods that people with diabetes should never eat. Diabetes UK recommends that you see a dietitian (ask your GP for a referral) to help you make changes to your diet. However, these basic rules can help you to make important adjustments right away
- Eat three regular meals a day to control your appetite and blood glucose levels.
- Always include starchy carbohydrate foods such as bread, pasta, chapattis, potatoes, yam, noodles, rice and cereals. Choose wholemeal or wholegrain varieties wherever possible and remember that these starchy foods, as well as sugary foods, affect your blood glucose levels.
- Cut down saturated fats (found in meat, butter and full-fat milk products), which are linked to heart disease. Choose unsaturated fats or oils instead, such as olive oil and rapeseed oil.
- Eat more fruit and vegetables - they're great sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre and they're naturally low in fat. Aim for at least five servings a day to reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.
- Include more beans and lentils such as kidney beans, butter beans, chickpeas and lentils by adding them to stews, casseroles, soups, or salads.
- Eat at least one portion of oily fish a week to help protect against heart disease. Try mackerel, sardines, salmon or pilchards.
- Limit sugar and sugary foods. Sugar can be part of a healthy, balanced diet but sugary drinks cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly.
- Reduce the salt in your diet to 6g or less a day to lower your blood pressure. Season foods with herbs and spices instead of salt and choose lower salt options when buying ready-prepared foods. Asda's traffic light signposting on packs will help you to see which foods contain less salt.
- Drink alcohol in moderation - that's a maximum of two units a day for women and three units a day for men (a pub measure of spirits, half a pint of normal strength beer or a small glass of wine is about one unit). Alcohol contains empty calories so cut down more if you're trying to lose weight. Never drink on an empty stomach, as alcohol can cause lower blood glucose levels making hypoglycaemia more likely in people on some diabetic medicines.
- Don't be tempted by diabetic foods or drinks, which offer no benefit - they are expensive and will still affect your blood glucose levels.