There are two types of diabetes that affect everyone - Type I diabetes, which is caused by damage to the beta cells, which occur in the pancreas and secrete insulin, and Type II diabetes, which is caused when the body resists insulin or becomes deficient in insulin. Either type of diabetes can be controlled through watching what you eat - a diabetic's food intake must be focused on health. They include fat-free and sugar-free variants of foods and many fibrous foods.

While people who do not take care of their health are at an increased risk for diabetes, the disease is often hereditary. Even if you have diabetes in your family, if you eat right and exercise regularly, you can avoid its onset. Once you do have diabetes, though, you will have to be on constant medication that causes the insulin level in your body to stay within the normal range. However, the first preference doctors show is for another sort of treatment - making sure that you control your diet and eat according to a carefully thought out preparation.

You also have to make sure that you stay active - some kind of activity that you enjoy, whether it is walking, or dancing, or jogging - should be taken up and stuck to, for at least half an hour each day. You should also make sure that your diet is designed with healthy alternatives to your regular eating habits, and avoids things like sweets, high-fat foods and alcohol.

A typical diabetic diet should include fibrous carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals and plenty of water. Whole grains, wholemeal bread and oats are excellent examples for fibrous carbohydrates, while protein should be taken from lean meat,fish, legumes, nuts and seeds. Vitamins and minerals can be found in abundance in leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits. Such food items can be consumed in any amount and throughout the whole day. The 8-glass minimum for water consumption must also be followed.

All sorts of creams and sauces must be avoided while preparing diabetic foods. Barbecue, teriyaki and sweet and sour sauces are strictly to be avoided.

There are other favorites that you will have to steer clear of now - eggs, mayonnaise, red meat, butter, cheese, carbonated drinks - and foods that you must accept as staple, such as those with unsaturated fat and are unsweetened. Since it is your responsibility to stay healthy, to understand more about foods diabetic people can eat, you must talk to your nutritionist or your doctor, and come up with a diet plan you will be comfortable with for the rest of your life.