Diet for Diabetes: Do's and Don'ts

What you can and cannot eat with diabetes

Diabetes is not curable. It is believed that when the blood sugar level is at the normal level, the goal of therapeutic measures is achieved, namely the prevention of complications. Treatment includes diet therapy, exercise, drug therapy, and prevention of complications.

Diet for diabetes is the basis of treatment. Proper nutrition will help improve the condition and cope with the symptoms. Yes, you need to radically overhaul diet and nutrition. Yes, you have to avoid sweet and greasy foods. And yes, there will be many restrictions on your diet. Doesn't the prospect of eating cabbage and brown bread your whole life inspire you? Don't be upset!

Diet for type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be varied. The main thing is to understand what you can and cannot eat.

Focus: carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the most important supplier of energy. In diabetes, they should account for 50-60% of the energy value of the diet. Carbohydrate foods are commonly divided into two groups:

  • Fast (simple) carbohydrates. They are absorbed within 15-20 minutes of consumption and cause an immediate spike in blood sugar. These are all sweets, starches, sugars, potatoes, white bread, semolina and rice cereal. Their use must be avoided.
  • Slow (complex) carbohydrates are absorbed within a few hours. These are almost all cereals, grain bread, vegetables, fruits, berries. They can and should be consumed, but you must strictly control the amount.

Cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini, eggplant, lettuce, sorrel, spinach, rhubarb, radish, radish, cranberries, lemons, apples and plums can be consumed up to 600-800 g per day. Carrots, beets, onions, swedes, celery, peppers, beans, citrus fruits, cherry plums, pears, peaches, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, sweet apple varieties can be eaten, but in limited quantities. From the diet you need to severely limit potatoes and completely exclude pineapples, bananas, pomegranates, cherries and cherries, persimmons, grapes and dried fruits.

Of great importance is dietary fiber, which is found in plant foods and can lower blood sugar. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lemon, onion, garlic, oats, legumes, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, green lettuce and some other foods have hypoglycemic effects.

If the refusal of sweets is difficult to endure, the doctor will advise which sugar substitutes are best used, in what quantity and in what case.

fats

The amount of animal fats in the diet is reduced. This is especially true for refractory fats of animal origin - lamb, pork, fatty beef, duck, goose. You can not eat high-cholesterol foods (heart, liver and other offal). Easily digestible fats of vegetable origin should be preferred.

You cannot completely do without fats, without them you cannot get fat-soluble vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids omega-6 and omega-3. They should make up 25-30% of the energy value of food.

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Proteins usually require more than the physiological norm. They balance the energy value of the diet while reducing the amount of fats and carbohydrates.

You should get about 20% of your calories from protein. At the same time, 55% of the total amount of proteins are animal proteins.

Lean beef, rabbit, turkey, fish, chicken, egg, cottage cheese and other dairy products, as well as legumes and proteins from specialized SBCS products are recommended.

Dietary Guidelines for Diabetes

  1. Forget about fried, smoked and salty foods. Products need to be boiled, steamed, baked.
  2. The daily amount of food is divided into 5-6 meals. This promotes an even absorption of carbohydrates and helps avoid sudden spikes in blood sugar. Breakfast should account for 25% of the energy intensity of the diet, lunch 10-15%, lunch 25%, afternoon tea 5-10%, dinner 25% and second dinner 5%. 10%
  3. It is advisable to eat food at the same time, strictly observing the diet. This is particularly important in insulin-dependent diabetes.
  4. The calorie content of food should be approximately the same every day.
  5. It is necessary to follow the drinking regime recommended by the doctor.

A sensible and balanced diet is the basis for good health in diabetes. Do not forget about moderate physical activity and weight loss. They will help you feel better and live longer.