Having been diabetic for about ten years now, I have done considerable research and find that I still know too little. But what I know, I will share.
First, starches are not good. And I can't stress that enough. Carbohydrates of all kinds must be controlled. They are sugars and raise glucose levels in the blood fast and dramatically. But they are also necessary in the diet. large intakes of red meat can increase the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Soda pop is so full of sugars that a diabetic should abstain completely from regular pop. Carbonated beverages are ok as long as they are carb-free drinks. Too much dietary fat increases triglycerides levels, which create cirulatory problems. Going without food triggers the liver to pump stored glucose (blood sugar) into the blood, again creating problems with blood glucose levels in diabetics. High sugar levels in the blood destroy the cappilaries that nourish every cell and nerve in the body. It is the destruction of those capplary blood vessels that cause nerve damage, diabetic blindness, kidey failure, and can lead to stroke or heart damage or failure. Obesity stresses the body in so many ways and is a factore in the cause of type-2 diabetes. Diabetes is not curable. It is progressive over time. It is controllable.
Now for the good news. Food is not the enemy. Improper food intake and lack of exercise are the enemy. Stay away from all potato products, and highly processed flour and grain products (white flour, white rice, etc) as they are so-called empty calories. That is, they are full of starches, which are turned into sugar and enter the blood stream nearly as quickly as straight table sugar (sucrose). And corn syrup is even worse for your body.
But you can eat sweet potatoes and whole grain prducts as they are rich in the nutrients your body requires. They also contain soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is important for the diabetic in that it slows the absorption of sugar into the blood. This puts less strain on the pancrease (the organ responsible for producing insulin and pumping it inot the blood stream), allowing it to do its job for a longer period of time (adds years to successful dietary control). Eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains, and meats. Avoid the high sugar fruits such as grapes, and dried fruits of all kinds. These have concentrated levels of sugar in them. Stay away from fruit juices as again, they have concentrated levels of sugars. Think of it this way, if it takes 5 oranges to produce 8 ounces of orange juice, then by drinking an 8 ounce glass of orange juice, you might as well eat 5 oranges at one sitting. Apple and grape juices are especially high in carbohydrates (sugars).
And move the body. By moving, you force the muscles to use some of that blood sugar, reducing it. You also strengthen the muscle, creating denser muscle mass. And muscle burns far more energy (supplied by metabolising blood sugar) than does any other tissure in the body, except maybe the brain.
Get to know the glycemic index. It will show you how various foods affect your blood sugar levels. You will be surprised what you find you can eat, and what you thought would be good for you that isn't.
I have a brother-in-law and a best freind who didn't control their eating habits. The former lsot his right leg to the knee while the latter has had three heart attacks and is legally blind from diabetes. And both of these men were enourmously strong and in great shape as young men. Myself, I'm in fairly good shape and have lost nothing yet from diabetes. But I take my meds, am active, and watch what I put into my mouth, and how much of it I put there. And I don't eat a boring diet. Anybody who knows me knows that I eat well. But then, I learned to cook well, and so can prepare anything I could want to eat, and still keep it healthy, including deserts, pancakes, lasagna, etc.
It takes some study. But knowledge is the best freind a diabetic can have. There is an avalanch of info on the internet about diabetic menus that include anyting and everything she could ever want. But she'll have to learn to substitue quality food for junk food. Instead of eating a Twinkie, have a great peice of Havarti with a couple strawberries.
It is absolutely essential that she wraps her mind around this concept. If not, her lifespan, and quality of life will be significantly diminished.
Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North