Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects a person throughout his life, occurs due to complete or partial lack of pancreatic hormone - insulin. Insulin is a transporter of glucose in the cells of our body, to enrich the blood with nutrients and to saturate the cells with energy.
Many people underestimate the importance of following a diet for diabetes. This disease, in essence, is caused by an improper diet, subsequently resulting in metabolic disorders. It has been scientifically proven that it is foolish to deny that a diabetic diet is the only proper way to fight a disease.
Hyperglycemia is the main pathogenetic stage in the development of diabetes mellitus, to avoid which it is worth following a diet. The basis of the diet for diabetes mellitus is the increase of protein intake, reduction of carbohydrates in the daily diet, as well as fats, which are easily converted into carbohydrates and their constituents, which complicates and aggravates this disease. It turns out that by following simple and clear rules in nutrition, you can return your metabolism and blood glucose levels to normal.
How to eat with diabetes
For a diabetic, the question is invariably important - what kind of diet therapy is needed for diabetes mellitus and how effective it can be. The main food products should be dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Proper meat intake is needed. It is important to prevent the breakdown of proteins in the body and to monitor the maintenance of glycogen, the natural production of the energy component of the substance in our body. It depends directly on the daily intake of food, rich 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 non-essential 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 intestine, which is a somewhat limiting factor in the use of large quantities. However, if enzyme preparations are used with the use of beans, such an undesirable property can be avoided.
Cereals for diabetes mellitus
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 keeps the glucose level at a stable level, without impulsive increase, than other foods.
In addition to buckwheat, in your diet you should include oats, wheat porridge, pearl barley and corn, this will be the right breakfast for a diabetic. Cereals are enriched with a variety of vitamin and mineral compounds 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) for replenishing muscle cells with energy.
Fruits to eat for diabetes mellitus
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 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 beneficial fruits for diabetics, 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:
- grenade;
- orange;
- dried fruits (dried plums, dried apricots, dried apples);
- pear;
- mandarin;
- grapefruit;
- nectarine;
- lemon;
- apricots;
- apples.
From berries:
- any kind of currant;
- eggplants;
- manaferra;
- Cherry;
- blueberry.
Melon and watermelon should be consumed in moderate and limited amounts, as these foods have a higher carbohydrate content.
Everyone with diabetes should pay more attention to fruits like grapefruit, lemon and tangerine for a variety 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 vascular walls as well as the work of enzymatic 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 ingredients in these fruits has very little effect on blood glucose levels;
- possess powerful antioxidant abilities that inhibit the development of diabetes complications by stopping the negative effect of hyperglycemia on our body cells.
Fresh juice. The diabetic diet is not a reason not to please yourself!
A quick note on citrus juices. Try to avoid buying juices, even natural juices, at regular stores, as they contain carbohydrate ingredients and sugar, this can lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. Your best bet would be to buy fresh fruit and make juice from a truly natural grown product.
What not to consume with diabetes mellitus?
Every diabetic should know what not to eat with diabetes mellitus. 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.
A diabetic diet should not contain forbidden foods.
Flour and bakery products:
- White bread, especially freshly baked products;
- Any rich product;
- Sfoliat dough.
Meat products and seafood:
- Smoked products;
- Rich meat juices;
- Some poultry (duck, goose);
- Fatty pork and beef;
- Fatty fish.
With diabetes, fatty and spicy meat products will have to be abandoned in favor of dietary meat (in limited quantities).
Fruits and dried fruits banned in diabetes mellitus:
- Bananas;
- Grapes;
- Datat;
- Fik;
- Strawberry;
- Raisins.
Dairy products:
- Fatty yogurt;
- Whole milk;
- Kefir and yogurt with high fat content;
- Butter (especially home-made).
Vegetable dishes:
- Potatoes;
- Peas;
- Any pickled vegetables.
Other food products:
- Sugar;
- Candy;
- Butter cookies;
- Fruit juices (store);
- Any food at fast food outlets.
On the Risks and Benefits of Eating Dates, Coffee, and Honey for People with Diabetes
It is no exaggeration to say that everyone likes these products and it is difficult to give up these small joys of life due to diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we will analyze separately whether you can use them in your diet or not.
Dear
As they say, how many people, so many thoughts. There are many articles published in various health magazines and blogs about the use of honey by people with diabetes. Let us think logically, in the structure of honey has a high content of fructose, this component with carbohydrates is not able 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, on the other hand, would not bring anything bad to a healthy person.
Can honey be used for diabetes or not? There is ongoing debate, but it is unanimously accepted that 1 tablespoon on an empty stomach will not hurt, but will be beneficial.
Based on these facts, conclusions can be drawn for diabetics:
- Honey, as a beneficial substance for the body, should be present in the diet.
- Do not consume more than two tablespoons a day.
- For greater 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 beneficial substances 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
A very controversial product to include in the diet for diabetes. They contain a large amount of calories and fast carbohydrates, however, they contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A, which serves as a bias for diabetic complications.
Based on these facts, it is recommended:
- Diabetics with a severe form of this disease are strictly forbidden to use dates.
- With a mild form of diabetes, corrected by adhering to a diet and hypoglycemic medication, 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 advised to avoid this product, regardless of the coffee concentration. With a moderate form of the severity of this disease, the use of a small amount of weak coffee is allowed.
Despite the fact that coffee has virtually no effect on carbohydrate metabolism, it activates the vasomotor center and relaxes the walls of blood vessels. As a result, the muscular vessels of the skeleton, heart, and kidneys dilate, increasing the activity of the cerebral arteries. Therefore, the diet for patients with diabetes excludes coffee.
Nuts and their useful properties
Walnuts, without exaggeration, are just a "hearth" of useful properties and nutrients necessary for our body. They include vitamin D-3, K, Ca, fiber and unsaturated fatty acids. In the fight against diabetes, nuts play an important role, directly affecting carbohydrate metabolism, lowering glycemic levels. In addition, the use of nuts helps to restore damaged cells of internal organs, preventing the development of complications of diabetes. Thus, the introduction of this product in the diet of a person with diabetes is vital.
Let us consider separately the effect of different types of nuts on lowering sugar.
walnut
We all know from childhood that this kind of nuts is 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.
Nutrients rich in nutrients 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 contained in the composition of essential fatty acids inhibit the progression of angiopathy of internal organs and defeat atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. An important role is played by the fact that walnuts contain virtually no carbohydrates, this is a simple answer to all questions about the role of walnuts. It can be eaten with diabetes as a separate dish or as a dietary supplement.
Peanut
This is a dietary product, especially rich in amino acids, and its protein is plant-based, so it can not be replaced with any animal product protein. Therefore, peanuts should be included in breakfast, lunch or dinner for every day. The protein found in peanuts is quickly involved in the body's metabolism and breaks down, creating high-density glycoproteins in the liver to reduce 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 osteoarthropathy that affects the bones and joints. Eating 10-13 almonds a day will provide the body with the necessary microelements, they will have a positive effect on 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 large amount of K, Ca, vitamins B and D, ascorbic acid, phosphorus and magnesium, they are necessary if the goal is to eat properly. Pine nuts are used to prevent microangiopathy, inflammatory processes in the foot and ARVI 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 fast. 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 in the early stages. Because all high index foods 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 worries to the patient, but by following the right diet and constantly monitoring blood sugar levels, you can lead a satisfying 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 the level of sugar, the observance of which will help in the fight against an insidious disease.
Eat right with diabetes, harmonizing the glycemic index of foods, paying attention to all the important aspects.
Be healthy!