Diabetes mellitus is a disease that worries a person throughout his life, occurs due to complete or partial lack of pancreatic hormone - insulin. Insulin is a transporter of glucose to the cells of our body, to enrich the blood with nutrients and saturate the cells with energy.
Many people underestimate the importance of dieting for diabetes. This disease is essentially caused by improper diet which then leads to metabolic disorders. It is scientifically proven that it is foolish to deny that the diabetic diet is the only right way to fight a 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 the increase in protein intake, the reduction of carbohydrates in the daily diet, as well as fats, which are easily converted into carbohydrates and their components, which complicates and aggravates this disease. It turns out that by following simple and clear dietary rules, you can restore your metabolism and blood glucose levels to normal.
How to eat with diabetes
For a diabetic, the question is always important - what kind of diet 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 retention of glycogen, the natural production of the energy component of the substance in our body. This depends directly on the daily intake of food, high in protein, as well as trace elements, vitamins and minerals that saturate our body.
The importance of eating beans for diabetes
Beans are one of the richest sources of protein and amino acids. A prominent variety is the white bean. It contains a large accumulation of unnecessary and irreplaceable 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 when following a diet is the use of buckwheat porridge. The originality of this cereal is that it does not greatly affect the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body and maintains the level of glucose at a constant level, without impulsive increases, compared to other foods.
In addition to buckwheat, you should include oatmeal, wheat porridge, pearl barley and corn in your diet, this will be the right breakfast for a diabetic. Cereals are enriched with a variety of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the stable and good functioning of our body, while they are also digestible. An important factor is that the above cereals are an excellent source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for filling muscle cells with energy.
Fruits to eat for diabetes
Fruit is the main source of vitamins, minerals and fiber that are essential for the normal functioning of the human body. The concentration of these nutrients in this food group is several times higher than in any other food source. 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, which are characterized by a low glycemic index.
Let's take a look at which fruits and berries should be included in the diet for diabetes.
From fruits:
- grenades;
- oranges;
- dried fruits (plums, dried apricots, dried apples).
- pears?
- tangerines;
- grapefruit;
- nectarines;
- lemon Tree?
- apricots;
- apples.
From berries:
- any kind of raisin;
- gooseberry;
- black berry;
- Cherry;
- blueberry.
Melon and watermelon should be consumed in moderation and in limited quantities, as these foods have a higher carbohydrate content.
Anyone with diabetes should pay close attention to fruits such as grapefruit, lemon and tangerines for a variety of reasons:
- rich in vitamin C. The importance of vitamin C for the human body can hardly be overestimated. It is scientifically proven that it is important for strengthening the walls of blood vessels, as well as for the work of enzyme systems.
- One of the best properties of citrus fruits is their low glycemic index. This is explained by the fact that the effect of carbohydrates on these fruits has very little effect on blood glucose levels.
- possess 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. The diabetic diet is not a reason not to enjoy yourself!
A quick note on citrus juices. Try to avoid buying juices, even natural juices, in regular stores, as they contain carbohydrates and sugar, this can lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. Your best bet would be to buy fresh fruit and make the juice from a truly natural product.
What should not be consumed with 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 consequent hyperglycemic coma.
The diabetic diet should not contain forbidden foods.
Flour and bakery products:
- White bread, especially freshly baked products.
- Any rich products.
- Puff pastry.
Meat and seafood products:
- Smoked products?
- Rich meat broths.
- Some bird meat (duck, goose).
- Fatty pork and beef.
- Fatty fish.
With diabetes, fatty and spicy meat products should be abandoned in favor of dietary meat (in limited quantities).
Fruits and dried fruits prohibited in diabetes:
- Bananas;
- Grape;
- Dates?
- FIG;
- Strawberries?
- Raisin.
Dairy products:
- Greasy sour cream;
- Whole milk;
- Kefir and yogurts with high fat content.
- Butter (especially homemade).
Vegetable dishes:
- Potato;
- Peas;
- Any pickled vegetables.
Other food products:
- Sugar;
- Candy;
- Butter cookies;
- Fruit juices (store);
- Any food in fast food stores.
About the risks and benefits of consuming 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 because of diabetes. Therefore, we will analyze separately whether you can use them in your diet or not.
Honey
As they say, how many people, so many views. There are many articles published in magazines and various health blogs about the use of honey by people with diabetes. Let's think logically, honey has a high fructose content in its structure, this carbohydrate component is unable to significantly change the level of glucose in a person's blood. However, we can not ignore the fact that for the assimilation 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 lead to an increase in glycemia in people with diabetes, in turn, would not bring anything bad to a healthy person.
Can honey be used for diabetes or not? There is constant discussion, but it is unanimously accepted that 1 tablespoon on an empty stomach will not hurt, but will be useful.
Based on these data, for diabetics, conclusions can be drawn:
- Honey, as a substance useful for the body, must be present in the diet.
- Do not consume more than two tablespoons a day.
- For best results, 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 to glycogen and will serve as the beginning of energy production and synthesis of useful substances in the body, working throughout the day. Most of the time, a small amount of this product is still included in various diet reminders for diabetes.
Dates
A very controversial product that should be included in the diet for diabetes. They contain a huge amount of calories and fast carbohydrates, however, they contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A, which serves as a prejudice for diabetic complications.
Based on these data, it is recommended:
- Diabetics with a severe form of this disease are strictly forbidden to use dates.
- With mild diabetes, which is 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 advised to refuse coffee.
Coffee
People with severe diabetes are advised to avoid this product, regardless of the concentration of coffee. With a moderate form of the severity of this disease, the use of a small amount of weak coffee is allowed.
Although it has virtually no effect on carbohydrate metabolism, coffee activates the vascular center and relaxes the walls of blood vessels. As a result, the vessels of the skeletal muscles, heart and kidneys dilate, increasing the activity of the cerebral arteries. Therefore, the diet for diabetics excludes coffee.
Nuts and their beneficial properties
Nuts, without exaggeration, are just a "home" of beneficial properties and nutrients necessary for our body. They contain vitamin D-3, K, Ca, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the fight against diabetes, nuts play an important role, directly affecting carbohydrate metabolism, reducing glycemic levels. In addition, the use of nuts helps to repair damaged cells of internal organs, stopping the development of complications of diabetes. Thus, 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 reducing sugar.
walnuts
We all know from childhood that this kind of nuts are food for the brain. The diet for diabetes should contain nuts, this is one of the most important foods, as the brain lacks energy compounds due to insufficient intake of glucose in it.
Nutrient-rich nuts should be in the diet of a diabetic.
Walnuts are rich in manganese, alpha-linolenic acid and zinc. These trace elements directly affect the reduction of blood sugar levels. Also included in the composition of essential fatty acids inhibit the progression of vascular disease of internal organs and the defeat of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. An important role is played by the fact that the nut contains practically no carbohydrates, this is a simple answer to all questions about the role of the nut. It can be consumed with diabetes as a separate dish or as a dietary supplement.
Peanut
It is a dietary product, particularly rich in amino acid composition, and its protein is vegetable, so it can not be replaced by any animal protein. Therefore, peanuts should be included in the breakfast, lunch or dinner for each day. The protein found in peanuts is rapidly involved in the body's metabolism and breaks down, creating high-density glycoproteins in the liver to lower sugar. This "expels" cholesterol from 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 osteoarthritis that affects the bones and joints. Eating 10-13 almonds a day, will provide the body with the necessary trace elements, will have a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism. The adult diabetes diet should contain almonds.
Pine
The pine cone is delicious in principle. 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 proper nutrition. Pine nuts are used to prevent microangiopathy, inflammatory processes in the legs and ARVI in people with diabetic foot syndrome.
What you need to know about 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 points), then the blood sugar level will rise slowly, if the index is high (over 70 points), then fast. In this regard, every person suffering from diabetes is simply obliged to know the glycemic index of what he eats.
If you are not sure, we strongly advise you not to take risks, even if the disease is in its early stages. Because all foods with a high index should be discontinued. Products with an average index (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 the right diet and constantly monitoring blood sugar levels, you can follow a satisfactory lifestyle.
The article provides basic recommendations on how to eat well in diabetes. Which diet is right for you? A qualified specialist who knows the individual characteristics of your body will understand. He will make a diet that lowers sugar levels, the observance of which will help fight an insidious disease.
Eat right with diabetes, harmonizing the glycemic index of foods, paying attention to all the important aspects.
Be healthy!