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Diet Guidelines For Type 1 Diabetics |
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Type-1 diabetes normally affects children and
adolescents, though it is possible that it may occur in as early as the
1st or as late as 40th year of life. This type of diabetes is also
called juvenile diabetes or, more technically, insulin dependent
diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
A healthy diet is
very important in any kind of diabetes. Diabetes control is synonymous
with controlling blood sugar. In addition, one's lifestyle has a direct
effect on diabetes. A healthy diet is the primary thing. This is the
same as the normal, balanced diet recommended for good health– low in
fat, sugar and salt, high in fiber, vegetables and fruits.
While
people agree on a healthy diet, there are differing views on what is the
best diet for type 1 diabetes. The effects of food on blood glucose
levels and the intricate relationship between insulin, diet, physical
activity and blood glucose levels play an important role in the
management of type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes requires
consistency to allow food and insulin to work together to regulate blood
glucose levels. If meals and insulin are out of balance, extreme
variations in blood glucose can occur.
In general, carbohydrates
should consist of about 50 percent of the daily calories. Lower
carbohydrate intake means lower sugar levels in the blood. However, the
benefits of this can be canceled out by eating a higher fat diet to
compensate for the lower amount of carbohydrates. The greatest effect on
blood glucose levels occurs from carbohydrate foods.
Digestive
enzymes break down the carbohydrate foods into glucose. The glucose then
enters the bloodstream from the intestine. As a result, the blood
glucose level rises. Insulin helps the body's cells to take this glucose
from the bloodstream and either use it for energy or store it for later
usage.
People who do not have
diabetes will create just the right amount of insulin to cope with the
rise in blood glucose that occurs after a meal. Type 1 diabetic patients
no longer produce insulin. So, they need to inject just the right amount
of insulin to deal with the situation.
This
situation can be improved by substituting monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats for saturated fats. Starchy foods such as bread,
cereals, potatoes, pasta, rice and alike have to be included in the meal
planning. Special diabetic foods are not only necessary, but are also
important and need to be eaten regularly to keep weight under control.
All
people with diabetes should follow a healthy, balanced diet. People with
Type 1 diabetes need to do more than just eat 'healthy'. A daily quota
of fruit and vegetables is equally important as is the type, quantity
and time of your food.
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