Diabetes mellitus is a disease that worries a person throughout his life, occurs due to complete or partial lack of the pancreatic hormone - insulin. Insulin is a carrier of glucose in the cells of our body to enrich the blood with nutrients and saturate the cells with energy.
Many people underestimate the importance of following a diet for diabetes. This disease is essentially caused by poor nutrition, which in turn leads to metabolic disorders. It has been scientifically proven that it is foolish to deny that a diabetic diet is the only right way to fight the disease.
Hyperglycemia is the main pathogenetic stage in the development of diabetes to avoid, which is worth following a diet. The basis of the diet for diabetes is an increase in protein intake, reduction of carbohydrates in the daily diet, as well as fats, which are easily converted into carbohydrate components and their components, which complicates and worsens this disease. It turns out that by following simple and clear rules in nutrition, you can return your metabolism and blood sugar levels to normal.
How to eat diabetes
For diabetics, the question is always important - what dietary therapy is needed for diabetes and how effective it can be. The main food products should be dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Adequate meat intake is required. It is important to prevent the breakdown of protein in the body and to monitor the maintenance of glycogen, the natural production of the energy component of the substance in our body. This directly depends on the daily intake of foods rich in protein, as well as trace elements, vitamins and minerals that saturate our body.
The importance of eating beans in diabetes
Beans are one of the richest sources of protein and amino acids. A famous variety is white beans. It contains a large accumulation of essential and essential amino acids that can not be synthesized in our body, and must be supplied with food sources, these are valine, tryptophan, leucine, methionine, lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine. The product contains vitamins C, B, PP, potassium, zinc, iron and phosphorus.
Red beans are a legal food for diabetics and are rich in minerals and vitamins.
Beans contribute to the formation of gas in the intestines, which is a somewhat limiting factor in the use of large quantities. However, if enzyme preparations are used using beans, such an undesirable property can be avoided.
Cereals for diabetes
It is worth noting that one of the important aspects of dieting is the use of buckwheat porridge. The originality of this cereal is that it does not significantly affect the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body and maintains glucose levels at a stable level, without impulsive rises, compared to other foods.
In addition to buckwheat, you should include in your diet oatmeal, wheat porridge, pearl barley and corn, this will be the right breakfast for diabetics. Cereals are enriched with a variety of vitamin and mineral composition necessary for the stable and proper functioning of our body, and are also easily digestible. An important factor is that the cereals listed above are an excellent source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to fill muscle cells with energy.
Fruits to eat in diabetes
Fruits are the main source of vitamins, minerals and fiber necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. The concentration of these nutrients in this group of foods is several times higher than in all other food sources. An important feature is the almost complete absence of glucose and the predominance of fructose and sucrose in the composition.
Citrus fruits are the most useful fruits for diabetics, characterized by a low glycemic index.
Let's look at what fruits and berries should be included in the diet for diabetes.
Of the fruits:
- grenades;
- oranges;
- dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots, dried apples);
- pears;
- tangerines;
- grapefruit;
- nectarines;
- lemons;
- apricots;
- apples.
From berries:
- all kinds of blackcurrants;
- gooseberries;
- Blackberry;
- Cherry;
- blueberry.
Melons and watermelon should be consumed in moderation and in limited quantities, as these foods have a higher carbohydrate content.
Everyone with diabetes should pay more attention to fruits such as grapefruit, lemon and tangerine for a number of reasons:
- rich in vitamin C. The importance of vitamin C for the human body can hardly be overestimated. Scientifically proven to be important for strengthening the walls of blood vessels, as well as for the work of enzyme systems;
- one of the best qualities of citrus fruits is their low glycemic index. This is explained by the fact that the effect of carbohydrate components in these fruits has very little effect on blood sugar levels;
- has powerful antioxidant abilities that inhibit the development of complications of diabetes by stopping the negative effect of hyperglycemia on the cells of our body.
Fresh juice. Diabetic diet is not a reason not to indulge!
A quick note about citrus juices. Try to avoid buying juices, even natural ones, in regular stores, as they contain carbohydrate components and sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels. The best bet would be to buy fresh fruit and make juice from a truly naturally grown product.
What should not be consumed in diabetes?
Every diabetic should know what not to eat with diabetes. If you consume all foods without exception, without knowing in advance about their glycemic index, this can lead to the progressive development of hyperglycemia with subsequent hyperglycemic coma.
The diet for diabetics should not contain forbidden foods.
Flour and bakery products:
- White bread, especially freshly baked products;
- All kinds of rich products;
- Puff pastry.
Meat products and seafood:
- Smoked products;
- Rich meat broths;
- meat from some birds (duck, goose);
- fatty pork and beef;
- Oily fish.
In diabetes, fatty and spicy meat products will have to be abandoned in favor of dietary meat (in limited quantities).
Fruits and dried fruits prohibited in diabetes:
- Bananas;
- Гроздов;
- Dates;
- FIG.
- berries;
- Raisins.
Dairy products:
- Fatty sour cream;
- Full-fat milk;
- High fat kefir and yoghurts;
- Butter (especially homemade).
Vegetable dishes:
- potatoes;
- Peas;
- All kinds of pickled vegetables.
Other food products:
- sugar;
- Candy;
- Butter cookies;
- Fruit juices (shop);
- Any food in fast food restaurants.
About the dangers and benefits of eating dates, coffee and honey for people with diabetes
It is no exaggeration to say that everyone loves these products and it is difficult to give up these little joys of life due to diabetes. Therefore, we will analyze separately whether you can use them in your diet or not.
Honey
As they say, as many people as opinions. There are many articles published in magazines and various health blogs about the use of honey by people with diabetes. Let's think logically, in the structure of honey has a high content of fructose, this carbohydrate ingredient is not able to significantly change the level of glucose in human blood. However, we cannot ignore the fact that for the absorption and metabolism of fructose we need insulin, which, for example, in type 2 diabetes simply can not fully fulfill its purpose. Consumption of honey in this case will increase blood glucose in people with diabetes, in turn will not bring anything bad to a healthy person.
Can honey be used for diabetes or not? It is constantly debated, but it is unanimously agreed that 1 tablespoon on an empty stomach will not hurt, but will be useful.
Based on these facts for diabetics, conclusions can be drawn:
- Honey, as a useful substance for the body, should be present in the diet.
- Do not consume more than two tablespoons a day.
- For the greatest effect, it is best to eat a spoonful of honey on an empty stomach and drink it with a glass of water. This is due to the fact that honey is converted into glycogen and will serve as the beginning of energy generation and synthesis of nutrients in the body, working throughout the day. Most often, a small amount of this product is still included in various dietary reminders for diabetes.
Dates
Very controversial product for inclusion in the diet in diabetes. They contain a huge amount of calories and fast carbohydrates, but they contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A, which serves as a predisposition for diabetic complications.
Based on these facts, it is recommended:
- Diabetics with a severe form of this disease are strictly forbidden to use dates.
- In mild diabetes, corrected by diet and hypoglycemic drugs, the use of a small amount is allowed, provided that the daily intake does not exceed 100 grams.
Diabetics are strongly advised to refuse coffee.
coffee
People with severe diabetes are strongly advised to avoid this product, regardless of the concentration of coffee. In moderate disease, the use of a small amount of weak coffee is allowed.
Despite the fact that it has virtually no effect on carbohydrate metabolism, coffee activates the vasomotor center and relaxes the walls of blood vessels. As a result, the vessels of the skeletal, heart and kidney muscles dilate, increasing the activity of the cerebral arteries. Therefore, the diet for patients with diabetes excludes coffee.
Nuts and their useful properties
Nuts, without exaggeration, are just a "nursery" of useful properties and nutrients needed by our body. They include vitamin D-3, K, Ca, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the fight against diabetes nuts play an important role, directly affecton carbohydrate metabolism, lowering blood glucose levels. In addition, the use of nuts helps to repair damaged cells of internal organs, stopping the development of complications of diabetes. Therefore, the introduction of this product in the diet of a person with diabetes is vital.
Let's look separately at the effect of different types of nuts on sugar reduction.
Walnut
We all know from childhood that this type of nut is food for the brain. The diet for diabetes should contain nuts, this is one of the most important foods, because the brain lacks energy compounds due to insufficient glucose intake in it.
Nutrient-rich nuts should be present in the diet of a diabetic.
Walnuts are rich in manganese, alpha-linolenic acid and zinc. These trace elements directly affect the lowering of blood sugar levels. Also included in the composition of essential fatty acids, inhibit the progression of angiopathy of internal organs and the defeat of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. An important role is played by the fact that the walnut contains virtually no carbohydrates, this is a simple answer to all questions about the role of the walnut. It can be eaten with diabetes as a stand-alone dish or as a dietary supplement.
Peanuts
It is a dietary product, especially rich in amino acid composition, and its protein is vegetable, so it can not be replaced by any protein from animal products. Therefore, peanuts should be included in breakfast, lunch or dinner for each day. The protein found in peanuts is rapidly involved in the body's metabolism and is broken down, creating high-density glycoproteins in the liver to lower sugar. This "throws" cholesterol out of the blood vessels and breaks it down.
Almond nuts
They have the highest amount of calcium in their composition. Almonds are highly recommended for the development of diabetic osteoarthropathy, which affects the bones and joints. Eating 10-13 almonds a day will provide the body with the necessary trace elements, they will positively affect carbohydrate metabolism. The diet for diabetes in adults should contain almonds.
Pine nuts
Pine nuts are delicious in the first place. In addition, they contain a huge amount of K, Ca, vitamins B and D, ascorbic acid, phosphorus and magnesium, they are needed if the goal is to eat right. Pine nuts are used to prevent microangiopathy, inflammatory processes in the legs and SARS in people with diabetic foot syndrome.
What you need to know about the glycemic index
The glycemic index is a measure of the effect of food after ingestion on blood sugar levels. Each product has its own glycemic index. If it is low (10-40 units), then the blood sugar level will rise slowly, if the index is high (more than 70 units), then quickly. In this regard, every person suffering from diabetes is simply obliged to know the glycemic index of what he eats.
If you are unsure, we strongly recommend that you do not take risks, even if the disease is at an early stage. Because all foods with a high index should be stopped. Medium index products (if they are not on the banned list), you just need to limit their use.
Diabetes brings a lot of discomfort to the patient, but by following a proper diet and constantly monitoring blood sugar levels, you can lead a healthy lifestyle.
The article provides basic recommendations on how to eat well in diabetes. Which diet is right for you? A qualified professional who knows the individual characteristics of your body will understand. He will make a diet that lowers sugar levels, which will help in the fight against insidious disease.
Eat properly with diabetes, harmonizing the glycemic index of food, paying attention to all important aspects.
Be healthy!