 |
Home 
conditions and treatments
diabetes
Diabetes Diet |
Diabetes DietDiet plays a major role in diabetes maintenance.
A registered dietician should lay down a customized diabetes diet plan. Taking the appropriate diabetes nutrition can go a long way in controlling the blood sugar level. It helps to control the body fat. This reduces the insulin sensitivity so that the blood sugar level will be normal.
A diabetes mellitus diet must include a balance of all nutrients – proteins, fat, complex carbohydrates.
The meals in diabetes diet consist of vegetables, whole-wheat flour, whole grain cereals, etc. which are easily digestable. These foods do not increase the blood sugar levels rapidly.
Diabetic diet has to be customized depending upon the height, weight, gender, age, rate of metabolism and the type of diabetes one has.
The total amount of calories taken daily in case of a diabetic person should be broadly divided into as 60% of carbohydrates, 25-30% fats and 12-15% proteins.
Appropriate diabetes nutrition with the help of a diabetes diet plan coupled with insulin dosage or medication results in effective diabetes treatment. The aim is to maintain proper body weight so that the complication to get other diseases reduces/minimizes.
A diabetes diet is planned keeping in mind the energy required; distribution of this energy into carbohydrates, fats and protein; stage and type of diabetes and whether any complications are present.
A person with high blood pressure or high cholesterol level will have an altered diet. Extra care will have to be taken.
Major focus is given to calorie restriction especially in case of type 2 diabetics since it is seen mainly in obese people. Carbohydrates must be consumed in the form of complex starches and not as simple sugars. Including high fibre in the foods such as grains (whole wheat, dal), vegetables (peas, beans, lotus stem), fruits (apple, pear, cherries, guava) help in the slow absorption of glucose.
A good diabetes mellitus diet takes into consideration the likes and dislikes of the diabetic patient. However, it is important to note that the meals should be regular and the amount & time of the food intake should be under control.
A diabetes diet plan can primarily include a lot of green leafy vegetables, cucumber, radish, soups, tomatoes, buttermilk, etc. One can also have tea and coffee but without sugar.
It is best to avoid glucose and sugar in all forms such as honey, sweets, chocolates, and candies. Also, fried foods, bananas, mangoes, potatoes, cakes, pastries should be removed from a diabetics diet as far as possible. These foods not only increase the sugar level but also the cholesterol levels.
A diabetic diet is successful only when it is able to help the diabetic person maintain normal blood sugar levels, achieve & consistently maintain appropriate body weight so that there is least risk to any complications of the heart or other related diseases.
|
|
| |
