Diabetes is one of the
most common diseases that most countries face today and knowledge about
diabetic diet is very important for modern life. Knowing that diabetes is
majorly developed because of poor choices of food followed by hereditary
factors, diabetic diets have been made in order for people who are diagnosed
with such diabetes to serve as their guide towards a healthier life. So what is
a diabetic about and how does a person benefit from it. To give a much better
idea of how it works, this article will give you a much clearer look at what
diabetic diets are and how it works.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes or medically
known as Diabetes Mellitus is a kind of disease where in the body does not
produce enough or utilize well a certain hormone called insulin. This hormone,
insulin, is the reason why glucose can get in our cells giving us energy. With
no insulin or low levels of insulin, glucose will stay in the blood causing
high levels of blood glucose. When this is not treated, high glucose levels can
lead to severe damage to the heart, eyes, nerves and kidneys.
Because there are three
(3) types of Diabetes, one single type of diabetic diet plan will not work for
all. Further understanding of each type of diabetes will help a diabetic know
what diet to go for. These types are as follows:
- Type 1 Diabetes – also known as juvenile or insulin-dependent
diabetes; commonly found amongst young and old having heart disease. In
this case, the body cannot produce insulin. Can be treated by means of
regular insulin injection for it cannot be controlled solely by diabetic
diets or exercise.
- Type 2 Diabetes – also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes
mellitus or NIDDM or adult-onset diabetes; it is the most common type of
diabetes. In this case, the body does not produce enough or utilize
insulin well. People who are diagnosed with this kind of diabetes are
mostly overweight or obese. It can be managed by means of a diabetic diet
plan along with exercise.
- Gestational Diabetes – this type of diabetes is found among women for
it develops during the late stages of pregnancy. It usually disappears
after pregnancy thus it is temporary. It can be managed by means of a
special diabetic meal and regular physical activity. Daily blood glucose testing
and insulin injections may be done in some cases.
What is a Diabetic Diet?
According to Wikipedia,
diabetes or also medically known as diabetes mellitus faces a lot of
controversy as to what diet should be followed by a diabetic. Most of the time,
a diet highly recommended for diabetics is one that is high in dietary soluble
fiber but low in saturated fat. Although, certain exceptions may be considered
depending if the diabetic becomes hypoglycemic and in instances like this,
certain nutrients may require a diabetic to consume such as
carbohydrates.
What is the goal of a Diabetic Diet?
Basically a diabetic
diet is focused on achieving or maintaining a near-normal blood glucose level
as well as being on a reasonable weight. The diabetic diet wants to make sure
of the prevention of acute and long-term complications, provide optimal
nutrition and physical activity while considering personal and cultural
preferences of the person.
So from here you can see
that a basic diabetic diet is focused on diet, physical activity and even
medications when it is called for. Because in diabetes, food is the main reason
why blood glucose and blood fat levels rise, a specific daily diabetic diet is
being prepared for the person. It is with activity and medications where blood
glucose and blood fat levels are being lowered.
At this point, you now
understand that there is no one diabetic diet menu prepared for diabetics since
diabetes have different types. Basically, a diabetic diet comes in four kinds
and these are:
1.
The Plate Model
2.
The Diabetic Exchange Lists
3.
Carbohydrate Counting
4.
The Food Guide Pyramid
How Does a Diabetic Work?
People might think that
diabetes is the disease a person will most likely develop because of too much
sweet in the diet. This may be true but actually a diabetic diet isn’t just
about being free from sugars. Like any other healthy diet, it should be
balanced with a combination of different food groups such as carbohydrates,
proteins and fats that give off the needed nutrients in order for glucose to be
released into the blood of a diabetic.
Diet and diabetes are
correlated in such a way that the food we eat are being broken down to glucose
and from having the right information of knowing what to eat, the amount of
food to be taken in and what to eat to maintain a healthy blood glucose level,
a diabetic person can manage his disease. Normally, a blood glucose level range
should be between 70 to 120 mg/DL and after eating this range will rise up but
eventually go back to normal in an hour or two.
What a Healthy Diabetic Diet is made-up of
When a person is on a
diabetic diet, or whichever diet it is for that matter, it is essential that
he/she follows a balanced and healthy meal. As mentioned earlier, it is in the
diet where a person gives him/herself the chance to improve on blood glucose
levels and keep a healthy weight too. A diabetic diet differs according to the
type of diabetes a person has, their nutritional requirements and their daily
activity. Generally, a healthy diabetic guideline should include the following:
- Low or limited intake of foods that are high in sugar
- Eating in small, frequent meals in a day
- Being conscious of how much and when to eat carbs in a
day
- Consuming a range of whole-grain, fruits and vegetables
daily
- Consuming less fat
- Limited alcohol intake
- Low salt consumption
- Lean cuts of beef and pork
- Eating fish 2-3 times per week
What foods should be eaten and be avoided when on a Diabetic Diet?
Every person diagnosed
with diabetes would only want to make sure that his/her diet is what’s best to
prevent and manage diabetes. The good news here is you can still eat your
favorite foods and enjoy your meals even when on a diabetic diet guide. Even if
a person is on a diabetic diet, he/she still has the same nutritional
requirements as other people. There are no wrong or right foods when on this
kind of diet. The key here is moderation and being conscious of the amount of
food intake. It is also important that a diabetic person follows a diabetic
diet chart where it is placed there the meal time and the kinds of foods to eat
on each meal.
There really is no
“special food” that needs to be taken in when on a diabetic diet. Like the
usual healthy diet that everyone gets into, much emphasis is given out to
eating fruits, vegetables and whole grain. Basically, a diabetic diet is a
basic healthy eating guide that makes sure a person’s nutritional needs are met
where calories are in moderation, fat is low and it is high in nutrients.
These days, more and
more people are being diagnosed to have different kinds of diabetes. Some of
them are not even aware that they actually are diabetic. Diabetes is definitely
preventable. All it takes is discipline towards making lifestyle changes
particularly on eating habits and exercise.
Tags
- diabetic diet
- diabetic diet food list
- diabetic diet guidelines
- diabetic diet menu
- diabetic diet plan
- diabetic diet recipes
- what is the best diet for a diabetic person
- diabetic diet for beginners
- what foods to avoid with diabetes
- diabetic diet food list
- diabetic diet pdf
- type 2 diabetes food list
- type 2 diabetes diet sheet
- diet for diabetes type 2
diabetic diet,diabetic,diabetic foods to eat,foods not to eat for diebetics,what to eat for diabetes,diabetic diet meal plan,foods for diabetics to eat,diabetes foods to eat,fruits for diabetics,diabetes foods to avoid,how not to die,how to treat borderline diabetes,diabetic diet dr berg,what not to eat for diabetes,diabetes food to eat,diabetes what to eat,numbers related to diabetes,how to count carbohydrates diabetes,diabetic ketoacidosis
