All about Diabetes (Management through Diet, Super foods and Facts)

Diabetes is a common life-long health condition and it is a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose, either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Diabetes are classified into three groups i.e.-

1)      Type I Diabetes- The body does not produce insulin. People usually develop type 1 diabetes often in early adulthood or teenage years.

2)      Type II Diabetes- is the most common form of diabetes. The body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin.

3)      Gestational Diabetes-This type affects females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose.

It is possible to lead a normal and healthy life by following certain prudent diabetes diet tips, in addition to exercise and prescribed medicines. Here are tips for a diabetes diet that will prove helpful in controlling blood sugar levels:

• Make wise food choices: The best tip for a diabetes diet focuses on choosing healthy food options instead of foods full of fats, carbohydrates, starch, sugar, and so on. For example, eat wheat pasta, brown rice and wheat bread instead of eating white rice, multigrain bread and so on.

• Limit concentrated sweets: Substituting sugary foods with other healthy alternatives such as fruit instead of ice-cream, fruit juices, desserts and so on.

• Limit consumption of alcohol: Alcoholic drinks have no nutritional value, but contain a lot of empty calories which directly leads to weight gain and other complications.

• Choose foods with healthful fats: Instead of butter or vegetable oil use olive oil and nuts (almonds, walnuts) which are helpful in lowering chances of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Avoid fried foods, eat baked or grilled food.

• Exercise makes everything better: Exercise reduces the severity of the disease and significantly reduces the risk of long-term complications. Encourage regular exercise for 20-30 minute 3-4 times each week. This can include walking, jogging, swimming, playing sports such as tennis, volleyball and basketball.

• Small changes equal big results: you can make a big difference with healthy lifestyle changes. The most important thing you can do for your health is to lose weight. We as qualified Nutritionist suggest you that losing weight can help you lower your blood sugar considerably, as well as lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It’s not too late to make a positive change, even if you’ve already developed diabetes.

• Take Care of Your Diabetes Every Day: No matter what type of diabetes medication you use, this will give you excellent tips in taking care of your diabetes every day. We qualified Nutritionists say, most people with diabetes should try to maintain their weight by having a proper diet in a combination and also keep their blood sugar level as close as possible to the level of someone who does not have diabetes by keeping a check on the glucometer on regular basis.

Management of Diabetes through Super Foods:

Here are 10 super foods that will help minimize blood sugar and even throw your disease into reverse.

• Vegetables: Packed with powerhouse nutrients, vegetables are naturally low in calories, and they're full of fiber, so they're plenty filling.
  
  
•  Fruit: Best of all, fruit is loaded with antioxidants that help protect your nerves, your eyes, your heart and Diabetes.
  
  
•  Beans: Beans are just about your best source of dietary fiber, which not only makes you feel full longer, it actually slows digestion and keeps blood sugar from spiking after a meal. This effect is so powerful that it can even lower your overall blood sugar levels.
  
• Cereal: The best food for a diabetes diet focuses on choosing healthy food options instead of foods full of fats, carbohydrates, starch, sugar, and so on. For example, eat wheat pasta, brown rice and wheat bread instead of eating white rice, multi-grain bread and so on.
  
  
• Nuts:  Nuts are also one of the best food sources of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects cells and may help prevent nerve and eye damage. They are rich in fiber and magnesium, both of which may help regulate your blood sugar.
  
  
• Olive oil: Instead of butter or vegetable oil use olive oil and  nuts (almonds, walnuts)  which are helpful in lowering chances of heart attack, stroke and  diabetes. Avoid fried foods; eat baked or grilled food.
  
  
• Cinnamon. Cinnamon is good for lowering your blood sugar. Components in cinnamon help the body use insulin more efficiently, so more glucose can enter cells. So go ahead and add powdered cinnamon to your whole wheat flour, oatmeal, baked apples, or even chicken dishes.

Some of the Facts and Myths

·         Myth: People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.

Fact: A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy diet for anyone – low in fat, moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods Such as Brown Rice, Wheat bread and wheat pasta, vegetables and fruit.

·         Myth: Diabetes is not that serious of a disease.

Fact: If you manage your diabetes properly by keeping a regular check-up of your blood glucose level, proper exercise and eat healthy and functional food, you can prevent or delay diabetes complications.

·         Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: Type 1 diabetes is caused by improper insulin-production by cells of the pancreas, which is unrelated to sugar consumption. Type 2 diabetes results from the body's inability to respond to insulin normally. Although the tendency to get type 2 diabetes is genetically inherited in most cases, eating too much sugar (or foods with sugar, like candy or regular soda) can cause weight gain, which can increase the risk for developing the disease.

·         Myth: Insulin cures diabetes.

Fact: Taking insulin helps manage diabetes, but doesn't cure it. Insulin helps get glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells, where it can be used for energy. This helps keep blood sugar levels under control, but taking insulin doesn't correct the underlying cause infact healthy diet in proper combination can work.

A well qualified Nutritionist can guide you in a better way and clear all misconception related to diabetes so that you could climb the ladder of success.

Here in our diet clinic we give a tailor made diet which is in a proper combination of nutrients and we provide functional foods that will help naturally in curing the diabetes from the root.

                                     It's not about your diabetes — it’s about your life