Diabetes is a disease that worries a person throughout his or her life and is caused by a complete or partial lack of the pancreatic hormone insulin. Insulin is the carrier of glucose to the cells in our body to enrich the blood with nutrients and saturate the cells with energy.
Many people underestimate the importance of following a diabetic diet. This disease is essentially caused by malnutrition, which leads to metabolic disorders. It has been scientifically proven foolish to deny that a diet for diabetics is one of the best ways to fight the disease.
Hyperglycaemia is the major pathogenetic stage in the development of diabetes mellitus and should be avoided. The basis of a diabetic diet is an increase in protein intake, a decrease in carbohydrates in the daily diet, and fats that are easily converted to carbohydrate components 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 sugar levels to normal levels.
How to eat diabetes
For a diabetic, the question remains what kind of dietary therapy is needed for diabetes mellitus 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. It is directly dependent on the daily food intake, high protein as well as trace elements, vitamins and minerals that saturate our body.
The Importance of Bean Eating in Diabetes
Beans are one of the richest sources of protein and amino acids. Outstanding variety of white kidney beans. It contains large amounts of non-essential and essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized in our body and need to be fed, 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 somewhat limits the use of large quantities. However, if enzyme preparations are used using beans, such an undesirable property can be avoided.
Cereals for the treatment of diabetes
It is worth noting that one of the important aspects of following a diet is the use of buckwheat porridge. The originality of this cereal is that it does not greatly affect the body’s carbohydrate metabolism and keeps glucose levels stable without impulsive increases like other foods.
In addition to buckwheat, oatmeal, wheat flour, pearl barley and corn should be included in the diet, this will be the right breakfast for a diabetic. Cereals are enriched with a variety of vitamin and mineral compositions that are necessary for the stable and proper functioning of our body, as well as being easily digested. An important factor is that the cereals listed above are excellent sources of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to replenish muscle cells with energy.
Fruits for the treatment of diabetes
Fruits are the main sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber needed 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 formulation.
Citrus fruits are characterized by the most beneficial fruits of diabetics and have a low glycemic index.
Let’s look at what fruits and berries are worth incorporating into your diabetes diet.
From fruits:
- grenades;
- orange;
- dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots, dried apples);
- pear;
- Mandarin;
- grapefruit;
- nectarines;
- citron;
- apricot;
- apples.
From berries:
- any currant;
- gooseberry;
- Blackberry;
- Cherry;
- blueberry.
Melons and watermelons should be consumed in moderation and in limited quantities as these foods are higher in carbohydrates.
Diabetics need to pay more attention to fruits like grapefruit, lemon and tangerine for several reasons:
- rich in vitamin C. The importance of vitamin C for the human body can hardly be overestimated. It has been 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 properties of citrus fruits is their low glycemic index. This can be explained by the fact that the effect of carbohydrate components in these fruits has very little effect on blood sugar levels;
- has strong antioxidant abilities that inhibit the development of complications of diabetes by stopping the negative effects of hyperglycemia on the cells of our body.
Fresh juice. A diabetic diet is no reason not to pamper yourself!
A quick note on citrus juices. Try to avoid buying fruit juices, even natural juices from traditional stores, as they contain carbohydrate components and sugar, which can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. The best solution would be to buy fresh fruit and make the juice from a truly naturally grown product.
What should you not consume in case of diabetes?
Every diabetic should know what not to eat in case of diabetes. If you eat all foods without exception without knowing its glycemic index in advance, it can lead to the progressive development of hyperglycemia followed by hyperglycemic coma.
The diet of diabetics should not contain prohibited foods.
Flour and bakery products:
- White bread, in particular fresh baked goods;
- Any rich product;
- Puff pastry.
Meat products and seafood:
- Smoked products;
- Rich broths;
- Some poultry (duck, goose);
- Fatty pork and beef;
- Fatty fish.
In the case of diabetes, fatty and spicy meat products should be omitted in favor of dietary meat (in limited quantities).
Diabetes and dried fruit:
- Banana;
- Solo;
- Dates;
- Figure;
- Strawberry;
- Raisins.
Dairy products:
- Greasy sour cream;
- Whole milk;
- High fat kefir and yoghurts;
- Butter (mainly homemade).
Vegetable dishes:
- Potato;
- Pea;
- Any pickled vegetables.
Other food products:
- Sugar;
- Sweets;
- Butter cakes;
- Fruit juices (shop);
- Any food in the fast food restaurant.
On the dangers and benefits of consuming dates, coffee and honey for diabetics
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 mellitus. Therefore, we analyze separately whether you can use them in your diet or not.
Honey
As they say, as many people as there are so many opinions. There have been many articles in journals and various health blogs about the use of honey by diabetics. Think logically, the structure of honey has a high fructose content, this carbohydrate component is not able to significantly change the level of glucose in human blood. However, we cannot ignore the fact that insulin is required for the assimilation and metabolism of fructose, which, for example, in type 2 diabetes, for example, simply cannot fully serve its purpose. Consumption of honey in this case leads to an increase in blood sugar levels in diabetics, but does no harm to a healthy person.
Can honey be used for diabetes or not? There is constant debate, but it is unanimously accepted that 1 tablespoon on an empty stomach will not hurt but will be helpful.
Based on these facts, the following conclusions can be drawn for diabetics:
- Honey should be present in the diet as a useful substance for the body.
- Do not consume more than two tablespoons a day.
- For maximum 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 to glycogen and serves as the start of energy production and synthesis of useful substances in the body that works throughout the day. Most often, small amounts of this product are still included in various dietary reminders for diabetes.
Dates
It is a highly controversial product that should be included in the diet of diabetes. They contain huge amounts of calories and fast carbohydrates, but they also contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A, which distorts the complications of diabetes.
Based on these facts, we recommend the following:
- Diabetics with severe forms of the disease are strictly prohibited from using dates.
- With a mild form of diabetes that is corrected by diet and hypoglycaemic medications, small amounts are allowed, provided the daily intake does not exceed 100 grams.
Rejection of coffee is highly recommended for diabetics.
Coffee
People with severe diabetes are strongly advised to avoid this product, regardless of the concentration of coffee. In the case of the average severity of the disease, the use of small amounts of weak coffee is permitted.
Although 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 in the muscles of the skeleton, heart, and kidneys dilate, increasing the activity of the cerebral arteries. Therefore, the diet of diabetics excludes coffee.
Nuts and their beneficial properties
Walnuts, without exaggeration, are just a "hotbed" of the beneficial properties and nutrients our bodies need. These include D-3, K, Ca, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Nuts play an important role in the fight against diabetes, directly affecting carbohydrate metabolism and reducing glycemic levels. In addition, the use of nuts helps to repair damaged cells in the internal organs, stopping the development of complications from diabetes. Therefore, the introduction of this product into the diet of diabetics is vital.
Let’s look at the effect of different types of nuts on sugar reduction separately.
Walnut
We have all known since childhood that this kind of nut is the food of the brain. A diabetic’s diet should include nuts, one of the most important foods because the brain lacks energy compounds due to insufficient glucose intake.
Nut-rich nuts should be present in the diet of diabetics.
Walnuts are rich in manganese, alpha-linolenic acid and zinc. These trace elements have a direct effect on lowering blood sugar. It is also present in the composition of essential fatty acids, inhibiting the progression of internal angiopathy and atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. An important factor is the fact that walnuts contain virtually no carbohydrates, which is a simple answer to any question about the role of walnuts. It can be consumed as a separate food or dietary supplement in case of diabetes.
Peanuts
It is a dietary product, especially rich in amino acids, its protein is of plant origin and therefore cannot be replaced by any animal protein. Therefore, peanuts should be included every day for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The protein found in peanuts is quickly incorporated into the body’s metabolism and broken down, creating high-density glycoproteins in the liver to reduce sugar. This "drives" cholesterol out of the blood vessels and breaks it down.
Almond nuts
They contain the largest amount of calcium. The tonsils are especially recommended for the development of diabetic osteoarthropathy affecting the bones and joints. Consuming 10-13 almonds a day will provide the body with the necessary trace elements and will have a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism. The diet of adults with diabetes should include almonds.
Pine nuts
The pine nuts are mainly delicious. In addition, they contain huge amounts of K, Ca, B and D vitamins, ascorbic acid, phosphorus and magnesium, which are needed if proper nutrition is the goal. 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 food after swallowing on blood sugar levels. Each product has its own glycemic index. If it is low (10 to 40 units), your blood sugar will rise slowly, if the index is high (more than 70 units), it will rise quickly. In this regard, all people with diabetes simply need to know what their glycemic index is eating.
If you are unsure, we strongly advise you not to take any risks, even if you are in the early stages of the disease. Because all high-index foods should be stopped. Products with an average index (if they are not on the blacklist) should only be restricted in use.
Diabetes causes a lot of discomfort to the patient, but by following the right diet and constantly monitoring your blood sugar levels, you can lead a fulfilling lifestyle.
This article provides basic recommendations on how to eat well in diabetes. Which diet is right for you? A trained professional who knows the individual characteristics of your organization will understand. It creates a diet that lowers sugar levels, and following it helps fight insidious disease.
Eat right with diabetes, harmonize the glycemic index of foods, pay attention to all important aspects.
To be healthy!