Diabetes mellitus is a disease that worries a person throughout his life, appears due to a total or partial lack of the pancreatic hormone, insulin. Insulin is a glucose transporter to the cells of our body, to enrich the blood with nutrients and saturate the cells with energy.
Many people underestimate the importance of following a diabetes diet. This disease, in essence, is caused by an improper diet that subsequently results in metabolic disorders. It is scientifically proven that it is foolish to deny that a diabetic diet is the only correct way to fight disease.
Hyperglycemia is the main pathogenic stage in the development of diabetes mellitus, to avoid it it is advisable to follow a diet. The basis of the diet for diabetes mellitus is an increase in protein intake, a decrease in carbohydrates in the daily diet, as well as fats, which are easily converted into carbohydrate components and their components, which complicates and aggravates this illness. It turns out that by following simple and clear rules in nutrition, you can return your metabolism and blood glucose levels 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 can it be. The main food products should be dairy products, vegetables and fruits. An adequate intake of meat is needed. It is important to prevent the breakdown of proteins in the body and to control the maintenance of glycogen, the natural production of the energy component of the substance in our body. This depends directly on the daily intake of foods, rich in protein, as well as 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 the white kidney bean. It contains a large accumulation of non-essential and irreplaceable amino acids that cannot be synthesized in our body, and must be supplied with food sources, these are valine, tryptophan, leucine, methionine, lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine. The product contains vitamins C, B, PP, potassium, zinc, iron and phosphorus.
Kidney beans are a legal food for diabetics and are rich in minerals and vitamins.
Beans contribute to gas formation in the intestines, which is somewhat of a limiting factor in using large amounts. However, if enzyme preparations are used with the use of beans, such undesirable property can be avoided.
Cereals for diabetes mellitus
It should be noted 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 the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body much, and it maintains the glucose level at a stable level, without impulsive rises, than other foods.
In addition to buckwheat, you should include oats, wheat porridge, pearl barley and corn in your diet, this will be the right breakfast for a diabetic. Cereals are enriched with a variety of composition of vitamins and minerals necessary for the stable and proper functioning of our body, and they are also easy to digest. An important factor is that the cereals mentioned above are an excellent source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to fuel muscle cells.
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 (prunes, dried apricots, dried apples);
- pears;
- tangerines
- pink grapefruit;
- nectarines;
- lemons
- apricots
- apples
From berries:
- any kind of currant;
- Currant;
- Blackberry;
- Cherry;
- blueberry.
Melon and watermelon should be eaten in moderation and in limited quantities, as these foods have a higher carbohydrate content.
Anyone with diabetes should pay more attention to fruits like grapefruit, lemon, and tangerines for several reasons:
- rich content of vitamin C. The importance of vitamin C to the human body can hardly be underestimated. Scientifically proven that it is important for strengthening the walls of blood vessels, as well as for the work of enzyme systems;
- One of the best qualities of citrus is its low glycemic index. This is explained by the fact that the effect of the carbohydrate components in these fruits has very little effect on blood glucose levels;
- It has powerful antioxidant capabilities that inhibit the development of diabetes complications by stopping the negative effect of hyperglycemia on the cells of our body.
Fresh juice. The diabetic diet is not a reason not to indulge yourself!
A quick note on citrus juices. Try to avoid buying juices, even natural juices, in regular stores, as they contain carbohydrate and sugar components, this can lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. Your best option 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 eat all foods without exception, without knowing your glycemic index in advance, this can lead to the progressive development of hyperglycemia with subsequent hyperglycemic coma.
A diabetic diet should not contain prohibited foods.
Flour and bakery products:
- White bread, especially freshly baked goods;
- Any rich product;
- Puff pastry.
Meat and seafood products:
- Smoked products;
- Rich meat 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 dietary meat (in limited quantities).
Fruits and nuts prohibited in diabetes mellitus:
- Bananas;
- Grape;
- Dates;
- FIG;
- Strawberries
- Happens.
Dairy products:
- Fat sour cream;
- Whole milk;
- Kefirs and high-fat yogurts;
- Butter (especially homemade).
Vegetable dishes:
- Dad;
- Green peas;
- Any pickled vegetable.
Other food products:
- Sugar;
- Candy;
- Butter cookies;
- Fruit juices (shop);
- Any food in fast food establishments.
On the dangers and benefits of eating dates, coffee and honey for people with diabetes
It is no exaggeration to say that everyone loves these products and it is difficult to give up these little pleasures in life due to diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we will analyze separately if 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 various health blogs on 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 unable to significantly change the level of glucose in the blood of a person. 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 serve its purpose. Consumption of honey in this case will lead to an increase in blood glucose in people with diabetes, in turn, it will not bring anything bad 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 it will be helpful.
Based on these facts, for diabetics, conclusions can be drawn:
- Honey, as 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 tablespoon 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 it will serve as the beginning of the generation of energy and synthesis of useful substances in the body, working throughout the day. Very often a small amount of this product is still included in various diabetes diet reminders.
dates
A very controversial product to include in the diet for diabetics. They contain a lot of calories and fast carbohydrates, yet they contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A, which serves as a bias for diabetic complications.
Based on these facts, it is recommended:
- Diabetics with a severe form of this disease are strictly prohibited from using dates.
- With a mild form of diabetes, corrected by adherence to a diet and hypoglycemic drugs, the use of a small amount is allowed, provided that 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 the coffee strength. With an average form of the severity of this disease, the use of a small amount of weak coffee is allowed.
Although it has practically no effect on carbohydrate metabolism, coffee activates the vasomotor center and relaxes the walls of the blood vessels. As a result, the vessels of the skeletal muscles, the heart and the 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 "hotbed" of beneficial properties and nutrients necessary for our body. They include vitamin D-3, K, Ca, fiber, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the fight against diabetes, walnuts play an important role, directly affecting carbohydrate metabolism, reducing the blood glucose level. In addition, the use of walnuts helps to restore damaged cells of internal organs, stopping the development of complications of diabetes. Therefore, the introduction of this product in the diet of a person with diabetes is vital.
Let us consider separately the effect of different types of nuts on reducing sugar.
Nut
We all know since childhood that these types of nuts are brain food. The diet for diabetes should contain nuts, this is one of the most important foods, since the brain lacks energy compounds due to insufficient glucose intake.
Nutrient-rich nuts should be present in the diet of a diabetic.
Walnuts are rich in manganese, alpha-linolenic acid, and zinc. These trace elements directly affect the decrease in blood sugar levels. It is also included in the composition of essential fatty acids that inhibit the progression of angiopathy of internal organs and the defeat of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. An important role is played by the fact that walnut contains practically no carbohydrates, this is a simple answer to all questions about the role of walnut. It can be eaten with diabetes as a separate dish or as a dietary supplement.
Peanut
This 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 your breakfast, lunch or dinner every day. The protein found in peanuts is quickly included in the body's metabolism and is broken down, creating high-density glycoproteins in the liver to reduce sugar. This "flushes" the cholesterol out of the blood vessels and breaks it down.
Almond nuts
They have the highest amount of calcium in their composition. Almonds are highly recommended for the development of diabetic osteoarthropathy that affects bones and joints. Eating 10-13 almonds a day, you will provide the body with the necessary trace elements, they will have a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism. The diet for diabetes in adults should contain almonds.
pinions
Pine nuts are delicious in the first place. In addition, they contain a large amount 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 microangiopathies, 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 ingestion on blood sugar levels. Each product has its own glycemic index. If it is low (10-40 units), then the blood sugar level will rise slowly, if the index is high (more than 70 units), quickly. In this sense, everyone with diabetes is simply required to know the glycemic index of what they eat.
If you are unsure, we strongly advise you not to risk it, even if the disease is in its early stages. Because all foods with a high index must be discontinued. Products with an average index (if they are not on the banned list), you just need to limit their use.
Diabetes brings a lot of discomfort to the patient, but if you follow the correct diet and constantly monitor your blood sugar levels, you can lead a satisfying lifestyle.
The article offers basic recommendations on how to eat well in diabetes. What diet is right for you? A qualified specialist who knows the individual characteristics of your body will understand this. He will go on a diet that reduces sugar levels, observance of which will help in the fight against an insidious ailment.
Eat well with diabetes, harmonizing the glycemic index of food, paying attention to all important aspects.
Be healthy!