Diabetes Diet
Diet And Diabetes
Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder.
Once diagnosed, you can not cure it for good, but can only keep it under
control. It is a disease in which a person suffering from it can not
effectively use the natural chemical called insulin. Management of
diabetes requires an effective healthy regular lifestyle including a
regular balanced diet, regular exercise and sensible weight control.
Patients suffering from diabetes can not break down stored fat
for energy with ease. They even find it difficult to break down
proteins. Blood sugar level rises as it gets stocked up in the blood due
to the lack of converter hormone insulin. Excess sugar level in your
blood can create complications for you. That is why when diabetes is
detected, your doctor tells you to make changes in eating habits, weight
control and have exercise programs, and may even prescribe drugs to keep
it in check. You should also have regular checkups. Dietary control is
an integral part of management of the diabetes patients. The perfect
diet would be such that apart from providing the essentials of good
nutrition, it should be open to adjustments from time to time for
changing metabolic needs, for example during growth, pregnancy,
lactation or modified activity. Below are some of the guidelines for
diabetic patients regarding their meal planning.
Diabetic
patients should always try to reduce overall fat. Use oils or foods that
are high in Omega-3 fatty acid, such as olive oil, rapeseeds oil,
flaxseed and flaxseed oil as they require lower insulin. Avoid fried
food.
Refined carbohydrates and sugar should be avoided as they
increase the blood sugar immediately. Fruits should be the major source
of sweetness in your diet, as they are low in calories, high in fibers,
and many other minerals and vitamins which are essential for keeping the
body healthy.
Glycemic Index shows
how much your blood sugar increases after eating different foods. With
the help of glycemic acid, you can always keep the blood sugar level
under control as higher glycemic acid means higher blood sugar level.
Try to minimize Protein from your diet as much as you can. It is
always better to use meat substitutes or non-animal protein foods such
as legumes tofu. Legumes are excellent as insulin regulators. Red meat
should be completely avoided. Instead, the amount of fish should be
increased in your diet.
Some vegetables decrease the severity of
diabetes. Some of them are celery, bitter melon, onion, garlic, globe
artichoke, jerusalem artichoke, asparagus and spinach.
Non-healthy
eating habits increase your blood glucose level. Your meal plan should
include healthy foods which are beneficial in checking your diabetes and
if not that then at least which do not increase it. That is why, it is
wise to consult with your dietitian to make a meal plan that fits the
way you usually eat, that fits with your daily routine and that does not
confront with your diabetes medicines.