Knowledge of the Right Diabetes Diet.
Despite a lot of talk on “diabetes diet”, it is not much of a diet as the foods suitable for use by a diabetic is also good for just about anybody. This implies that what is suitable for a diabetic is just as right for the non-diabetic. The foods in a diabetes diet are good and healthy for the whole family. So, what is good for blood glucose or blood sugar control is suitable for everyone.
Nevertheless, there is a slight difference and it lies in the amount of carbohydrates, fats and proteins consumed. Diabetics need to monitor the amount of fats, carbohydrates, and protein to ensure there is never too much glucose in the bloodstream for the dose of insulin to regulate. This is especially so for carbohydrates which contributes the most glucose into the bloodstream.
(see Insulin Dosage)
To maintain normal blood glucose levels, a diabetic has to choose the right foods, have some physical activities each day, and whatever prescribed medicine given him. A need to understand nutrition well in order to plan suitable meals for the type of lifestyle, activities and the prescribed medication certainly requires the expertise of a nutritionist.
Diabetes Diet Guidelines – Video Guide
The ABCs of a Diabetes Diet
What is the ABCs of a diabetes diet? Well, A is for hemoglobin A1c or A1c test. It is used to find the blood glucose average for a period of three preceding months. As for B, it stands for blood pressure while the C represents cholesterol. Diabetics ought to strive for healthy cholesterol levels, normal blood pressure, and HbA1c (blood sugar control).
- A – Hemoglobin A1c or A1c test.
- B – Blood Pressure.
- C – Cholesterol.
Alcohol should be Avoided
If you have diabetes, be very careful with alcohol consumption. It is advisable to drink alcohol only if it is unavoidable, possibly only on particular occasions, as it contains sugar and high calories. Do not consume it if your blood glucose level is high. When in doubt, it is best to consult your doctor on alcohol consumption.
The Importance of Understanding Glycemic Index
Studies have been done in attempts to discover the causes for the increase in blood glucose levels after each meal. The possible types of food implicated in the rise in glucose levels are sugar, carbohydrates, and processed, refined foods. In determining the foods that cause the increase in blood glucose level, the glycemic index helps to indicate which food contains more calories than other foods, giving them a ranking. It ranks the types of carbohydrates in a meal, thus showing the possible effect on a diabetic’s glucose level.
On the glycemic index, a food with the least calories will be ranked lower than a food which contains more calories. Understanding this, it is obvious that foods that are ranked lower can assist to lower body fat while those ranked higher brings greater risk of increasing blood glucose levels. Predictably, those who consume lots of higher ranked foods has more body fat and this is calculated using the BMI (Body Mass Index)
A diabetic should consult his doctor or a qualified nutritionist to find out how understanding the glycemic index can assist to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
The Correct Types of Food and their Amount for Diabetics.
For diabetics, eating the correct types and amount of food is essential to maintain blood sugar levels as normal as possible. Here are three ways to do it:
- Have as much variety and color as possible in the food you choose. Consume a lot of vegetables, fruits, meats and vegetable proteins from grains/cereals, nuts, and milk products.
- Know the glycemic ranking of the foods you consume so that you do not take in too many calories and are faced with a weight problem.
- High fiber foods, like whole grain breads, cereal and fruit, are suitable for diabetics because of the health beneficial vitamins and minerals they contain. Scientists have determined that diabetics require a high-fiber diet, approximately 25 – 30 grams a day, to reduce their blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This same conclusion was reached in researches on type 1 diabetes.
Keep Your Weight Down.
Your dietician is the most important when it comes to planning your diabetes diet. With his assistance, and the plan made, you eat only the amount stated in the plan so as not to consume too much which will certainly lead to weight gain. With type 2 diabetes, too much body fat cause your body to be insensitive to insulin. Instead, type 2 diabetics must aim for a reduction in weight for better blood glucose levels and lower risk factors for heart diseases (see Diabetes Complications). The amount of food you consume depends upon your body requirements, which can be maintaining the present weight, reducing weight or increasing weight as well as your blood glucose levels, whether it is too high or too low. Below is some knowledge important to diabetics.
- Diabetics should never neglect their meals.
- All meals must be eaten at the same time every day. Diabetics must take their medicine and their meals regularly.
- However, if you are using some of the latest diabetic medications, the knowledge given above need not be followed. As always, consult your doctor on the matter.
- For women with gestational diabetes, it is recommended that they eat small but many meals spread out throughout the day.