Diabetes mellitus is a disease that worries the person throughout life, it arises due to a total or partial lack of pancreatic hormone - insulin. Insulin is a glucose transporter for our body's cells 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, in essence, is caused by an inadequate diet later resulting in metabolic disturbances. It is scientifically proven that it is foolish to deny that a diabetic diet is the right way to fight a disease.
Hyperglycemia is the main pathogenic stage in the development of diabetes mellitus, to avoid it it is worth following a diet. The basis of the diabetes mellitus diet 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 the disease. It turns out that by following simple, clear nutrition rules, you can get your metabolism and blood glucose levels back to normal.
how to eat with diabetes
For a diabetic, the question is invariably important - what kind of dietary therapy is needed for diabetes mellitus and how effective it can be. The main food products must be dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Adequate meat intake is necessary. It is important to prevent the breakdown of proteins in the body and 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 food, rich in protein, in addition to 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 white beans. It contains a large accumulation of non-essential and irreplaceable amino acids that cannot be synthesized in our body, and must be supplied with dietary sources, which 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 good 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 using large amounts. However, if enzyme preparations are used with the use of beans, this undesirable property can be avoided.
Cereals for diabetes mellitus
It is noteworthy 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 affect carbohydrate metabolism in the body much and maintains the glucose level at a stable level, without impulsive increases, than other foods.
In addition to buckwheat, you should include oats, wheat porridge, barley and corn in your diet, this will be the right breakfast for a diabetic. Cereals are fortified with a variety of vitamins and minerals necessary for our bodies to function properly and stable, and are also easily digestible. Importantly, the cereals listed above are an excellent source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to fill 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 characteristic 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 take a look at which fruits and berries should be included in the diabetes diet.
Of fruits:
- grenades;
- oranges;
- dried fruits (plums, dried apricots, dried apples);
- pears;
- tangerines;
- Grapefruit;
- nectarines;
- lemons;
- apricots;
- apples.
From berries:
- any type of gooseberry;
- gooseberry;
- Blackberry;
- Cherry;
- blueberry.
Melon and watermelon should be consumed in moderation and in limited amounts, as these foods have a higher carbohydrate content.
Anyone with diabetes should pay more attention to fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, and tangerines for a number of reasons:
- rich in vitamin C. The importance of vitamin C to the human body can hardly be overestimated. Scientifically proven that it is important for the strengthening of blood vessel walls, as well as for the functioning 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 components in these fruits has very little effect on blood glucose levels;
- possessing powerful antioxidant abilities that inhibit the development of complications from diabetes, stopping the negative effect of hyperglycemia on our body cells.
Fresh juice. The diabetic diet is no reason not to indulge!
A quick note about citrus juices. Avoid buying juices, even natural ones, at regular stores, as they contain carbohydrate and sugar components, which 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 naturally grown product.
What should not be consumed 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, it can lead to the progressive development of hyperglycemia with subsequent hyperglycemic coma.
A diabetic diet should not contain prohibited foods.
Flour and baked goods:
- White bread, In particular fresh baked goods;
- Any rich products;
- Puff pastry.
Meat and seafood products:
- Smoked products;
- Rich broths;
- Meat of some birds (duck, goose);
- Fatty pork and beef;
- Fatty fish.
With diabetes, fatty and spicy meat products will have to be abandoned in favor of diet meat (in limited quantities).
Fruits and dried fruits prohibited in diabetes mellitus:
- Bananas;
- Grape;
- Dates;
- FIG;
- Strawberries;
- Raisin.
Milk derivatives:
- Greasy sour cream;
- Whole milk;
- high-fat kefirs and yoghurts;
- Butter (especially homemade).
Vegetable dishes:
- Potato;
- Peas;
- Any pickled vegetables.
Other food products:
- Sugar;
- Sweet;
- Butter cookies;
- Fruit juices (shop);
- Any food in fast food establishments.
About the dangers and benefits of eating dates, coffee and honey for people with diabetes
It's no exaggeration to say that everyone loves these products, and it's hard to let go of those little joys in life because of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we will look separately at whether you can use them in your diet or not.
Honey
As they say, how many people, so many opinions. There are many articles published in magazines and health blogs about the use of honey by people with diabetes. Let's think logically, in the structure of honey there is a high content of fructose, this carbohydrate ingredient is incapable of significantly altering a person's blood glucose level. However, we cannot ignore the fact that for the assimilation and metabolism of fructose we need insulin, which, for example, in type 2 diabetes simply cannot fully fulfill its purpose. Consuming honey in this case would lead to an increase in blood glucose in people with diabetes, in turn, would not bring anything bad for a healthy person.
Can honey be used for diabetes or not? There is constant debate, but it is unanimously accepted that 1 scoop on an empty stomach will not hurt, but will be helpful.
Based on these facts, for diabetics, conclusions can be drawn:
- Honey, a useful substance for the body, must be present in the diet.
- Do not consume more than two tablespoons a day.
- For the best 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 the synthesis of useful substances in the body, acting throughout the day. Most of the time, a small amount of this product is still included in many diabetes diet reminders.
dates
A very controversial product to include in the diabetes diet. They contain a lot of calories and fast carbohydrates, however they contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A, which acts as a bias towards diabetic complications.
Based on these facts, it is recommended:
- Diabetics with a severe form of this disease are strictly prohibited from using dates.
- In mild diabetes, corrected by adherence to diet and hypoglycemic medications, the use of small amounts is allowed, as long as 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 coffee strength. With the medium form of disease severity, the use of a small amount of weak coffee is allowed.
Despite having virtually no effect on carbohydrate metabolism, coffee activates the vasomotor center and relaxes blood vessel walls. As a result, the vessels in the skeletal muscles, heart and kidneys expand, increasing the activity of the cerebral arteries. Therefore, the diet for diabetic patients excludes coffee.
Nuts and their beneficial properties
Nuts, without exaggeration, are just a "nursery" of beneficial properties and nutrients needed by our bodies. They include vitamin D-3, K, Ca, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In combating diabetes, walnuts play an important role, directly affecting the metabolism of carbohydrates, lowering the blood glucose level. In addition, the use of nuts helps to restore damaged cells in internal organs, preventing the development of complications from diabetes. Thus, the introduction of this product in the diet of a person with diabetes is vital.
Let's consider separately the effect of different types of nuts on sugar reduction.
Nut
We all know from childhood that these nuts are brain food. The diabetes diet must contain nuts, this is one of the most important foods, as the brain lacks energy compounds due to insufficient glucose intake.
Nutrient-rich nuts should be present in a diabetic's diet.
Nuts 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, they inhibit the progression of angiopathy of Organs internal organs and the defeat of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. An important role is played by the fact that walnuts contain practically no carbohydrates, this is a simple answer to all questions about the role of walnuts. It can be consumed with diabetes in a separate dish or as a dietary supplement.
Peanut
It is a dietary product, especially rich in amino acid composition, and its protein is vegetable, so it cannot be replaced by any protein from animal products. Therefore, peanuts should be included in breakfast, lunch or dinner for every day. The protein found in peanuts is quickly included in the body's metabolism and breaks down, creating high-density glycoproteins in the liver to reduce sugar. This "pushes" cholesterol out of the blood vessels and breaks it down.
almond nuts
They have the greatest amount of calcium in their composition. Almonds are highly recommended for the development of diabetic osteoarthropathy that affects bones and joints. By eating 10 to 13 almonds a day, you will provide the body with the necessary trace elements, they will have a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism. Diet for diabetes in adults should contain almonds.
Pine nuts
The pine nuts are delicious first. In addition, they contain a lot of K, Ca, vitamins B and D, ascorbic acid, phosphorus and magnesium, they are necessary if the goal is to eat well. 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 the Glycemic Index
The glycemic index is a measure of the effect of foods after eating on blood sugar levels. Each product has its own glycemic index. If it is low (10-40 units), the blood sugar level will increase slowly; if the index is high (more than 70 units), then quickly. In this regard, anyone suffering from diabetes is simply required to know the glycemic index of what they are eating.
If you are unsure, we strongly recommend that you take no chances, even if the disease is in the early stages. Because all high-index foods must be stopped. Products with medium index (if not on the banned list), just limit their use.
Diabetes brings a lot of discomfort to the patient, but by following the correct diet and constantly monitoring your 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 your body's individual characteristics will understand. He will be on a diet that lowers sugar levels, observance of which will help fight a treacherous disease.
Eat well with diabetes by harmonizing the glycemic index of foods, paying attention to all the important aspects.
Be healthy!