Article: Diabetes Diet Plan
What is a diabetes diet plan?
A diabetes diet plan is a diet that can be followed by diabetics to help control their blood sugar level. Diabetics suffer from a metabolic disorder that is unable to regulate their blood sugar. Generally, Type 1 diabetics do not have enough glucose in their blood stream whereas Type 2 diabetics have too much glucose in their blood stream.
While diabetes is a serious disease, symptoms can be managed through a combination of exercise, medication and dietary control. Effective diabetic meal plans should include food from all the food groups, with an emphasis on low-sugar and fat content. You should consult a medical professional before beginning any diet.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder. Insulin is a hormone that helps control carbohydrate metabolism and the release of glucose, or sugar, into the bloodstream. If you do not have enough glucose in your blood, you may suffer from hypoglycaemia. If you have too much glucose in your blood, you may suffer from hyperglycaemia.
Type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the pancreatic cells are unable to produce insulin. There is not enough glucose in the blood to prevent hyperglycaemia. Treatment is ongoing and involves monitoring blood sugar levels carefully and when necessary injecting insulin directly into the blood stream.
Type 2 diabetes, or adult onset diabetes, occurs when the sensitivity to insulin is reduced. Consequently, there is too much insulin and glucose in the blood stream, leading to hyperglycaemia. Type 2 diabetes is caused by many lifestyle factors, including obesity around the torso, age and heredity.
Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypoglycaemia, coma, nerve damage, optical disorders and a difficulty healing broken tissue – if a diabetic cuts his or her foot, and the wound doesn’t heal, this can lead to gangrene and may require amputation.
There are many treatments for diabetes. Doctors emphasise control of blood sugar as well as diet and lifestyle.
Diabetes diet plans
Diabetics must change their lifestyles and eating habits to help control their blood sugar levels.
What you eat, when you eat and how much you eat affects your blood sugar level. Ideally, a diabetic should eat the same portions of food, take medicine and exercise at the same times every day. This helps the body regularise its metabolism of food, sugars and medicine.
Diabetics should eat carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, meat or meat substitutes and dairy every day. Your portions should reflect your calorie requirements depending upon your age, weight and general health.
A sample meal plan could involve the following:
Breakfast
Muesli or oats with skim milk
Lunch
Grilled chicken salad with a wholemeal bread roll or grilled salmon with brown rice salad
Snacks
Fruit, nuts, rice crackers with hummus or avocado
Dinner
Lean meat or fish, potatoes, brown rice, wholemeal pasta, bread and a large serving of steamed vegetables
There are many recipes online or in books that can help you make delicious, healthy meals at home.
For both patients suffering from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, education, regular exercise, glucose monitoring and following an appropriate diet can help manage diabetes. Before embarking on any diet plan, you should consult your doctor.