Diabetes mellitus is a disease that worries a person for life, it seems due to a complete or partial lack of the pancreatic hormone - insulin. Insulin is a glucose transporter in the cells of our body, to enrich the blood with nutrients and saturate the cells with energy.
Many people underestimate the importance of adhering to a diabetes diet. This disease, in essence, is caused by an incorrect diet resulting in metabolic disorders. It is scientifically proven that it is foolish to deny that a diabetic diet is a right way to fight a disease.
Hyperglycemia is the main pathogenetic stage in the development of diabetes mellitus, to avoid which it is worth following 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 complicate and aggravate this disease. It turns out that by following simple and clear rules in nutrition, it is possible to bring metabolism and blood glucose levels back to normal.
How to eat with diabetes
For a diabetic, the question is invariably important: what kind of diet 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 degradation of proteins in the body and to monitor the maintenance of glycogen, the natural production of the energy component of the substance in our body. This directly depends on the daily intake of food, rich in proteins, 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. An important 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.
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 is a somewhat limiting factor in the use of large quantities. However, if enzyme preparations with the use of beans are used, such an undesirable property can be avoided.
Cereals for diabetes mellitus
It is worth noting 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 greatly affect the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body, and it keeps the glucose level at a stable level, without impulsive increases, compared to other foods.
In addition to buckwheat, you should include oatmeal, 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 vitamins and mineral compositions necessary for the stable and proper functioning of our body and are also easily digested. An important factor is that the cereals listed above are an excellent source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to fill muscle cells with energy.
Fruit to eat for diabetes mellitus
Fruits are the main source of vitamins, minerals and fibers necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. The concentration of these nutrients in this food group is many times higher than in any other food source. An important feature is the almost total 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.
From fruits:
- grenades;
- oranges;
- dried fruit (prunes, dried apricots, dried apples);
- pears;
- mandarins;
- Grape;
- nectarines;
- lemons;
- apricots;
- apples.
From the berries:
- any kind of currants;
- gooseberry;
- blue raspberry;
- Cherry;
- blueberry.
Cantaloupe and watermelon should be consumed in moderation and 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 a variety of reasons:
- rich in vitamin C. The importance of vitamin C for the human body can hardly be overstated. Scientifically proven that it is important for strengthening the walls of blood vessels, as well as the work of enzyme systems;
- one of the best qualities of citrus fruits is their low glycemic index. This is explained by the fact that the effect of the carbohydrate components in these fruits has a very limited effect on blood glucose levels;
- possess powerful antioxidant abilities that inhibit the development of diabetes complications by blocking the negative effect of hyperglycemia on the cells of our body.
Fresh juice. The diabetic diet is no reason not to indulge!
A quick note on citrus juices. Try to avoid buying juices, even natural ones, in regular stores, as they contain carbohydrate and sugar components, this can lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. The best solution would be to buy fresh fruit and make the juice from a truly naturally grown product.
What shouldn't be consumed with diabetes mellitus?
Every diabetic should know what not to eat with diabetes mellitus. If you consume all foods without exception, without knowing their glycemic index in advance, this can lead to the progressive development of hyperglycemia resulting in hyperglycemic coma.
A diabetic diet should not contain prohibited foods.
Flour and bakery products:
- White bread, especially freshly baked goods;
- Any rich products;
- Browse.
Meat and seafood products:
- Smoked products;
- Rich meat broths;
- meat of some birds (duck, goose);
- Fat 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).
Banned Fruits and Nuts in Diabetes Mellitus:
- Bananas;
- Grape;
- At your place;
- Figure;
- Strawberries;
- Raisins.
Dairy product:
- Fatty sour cream;
- Whole milk;
- Kefir and high-fat yogurt;
- Butter (mostly homemade).
Vegetable dishes:
- Potato;
- Peas;
- Any pickled vegetables.
Other food products:
- Sugar;
- Candy;
- Butter biscuits;
- Fruit juices (shop);
- Any food in fast food restaurants.
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 joys in life due to diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we will analyze separately whether you can use them in your diet or not.
treasure
As they say, how many people, so many opinions. There are many articles published in magazines and various health blogs about the use of honey by people with diabetes. We think logically, in the structure of honey there is a high fructose content, this carbohydrate ingredient is not able to significantly change a person's blood glucose level. 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 fulfill its purpose. The consumption of honey in this case will lead to an increase in blood sugar in people with diabetes, in turn, it would 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 useful.
Based on these facts, for diabetics, conclusions can be drawn:
- Honey, as a useful substance for the body, should be present in the diet.
- Do not consume more than two tablespoons per 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 into glycogen and will serve as the start of the generation of energy and the synthesis of useful substances in the body, working throughout the day. Most often, a small amount of this product is still included in various diabetes diet reminders.
At your place
A very controversial product to be included in the diabetes diet. They contain a huge amount of calories and fast carbohydrates, however they contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A, which acts as a bias for diabetic complications.
Based on these facts, it is recommended:
- Diabetics with a severe form of this disease are strictly forbidden to use 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 concentration. With an average form of the severity of this disease, the use of a small amount of weak coffee is allowed.
Despite having virtually no effect on carbohydrate metabolism, coffee activates the vasomotor center and relaxes the blood vessel walls. As a result, the vessels of the muscles of the skeleton, heart and kidneys expand, increasing the activity of the cerebral arteries. Therefore, the diet for diabetic patients excludes coffee.
Nuts and their beneficial properties
Walnuts, without exaggerating, 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, nuts play an important role, directly affecting the metabolism of carbohydrates, lowering the blood sugar level. In addition, the use of walnuts helps restore damaged cells of internal organs, blocking the development of diabetes complications. Therefore, the introduction of this product into the diet of a person with diabetes is vital.
Let's consider separately the effect of different types of nuts on sugar reduction.
walnuts
We all know from childhood that this type of nut is brain food. Diabetes diet should contain nuts, this is one of the most important foods, as the brain lacks energy compounds due to insufficient glucose intake in it.
Nutrient-rich nuts must be present in a diabetic's diet.
Walnuts are rich in manganese, alpha-linolenic acid and zinc. These trace elements directly affect the lowering of blood sugar levels. Also included in the composition of essential fatty acids inhibits 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 the walnut contains practically no carbohydrates, this is a simple answer to all the questions about the role of the walnut. It can be eaten with diabetes as a separate dish or as a dietary supplement.
peanuts
This is a dietary product, particularly 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 everyday breakfast, lunch or dinner. The protein found in peanuts is rapidly included in the body's metabolism and breaks down, creating high-density glycoproteins in the liver to reduce sugar. This "pushes" cholesterol out of the blood vessels and breaks it down.
Almond nuts
They have the largest amount of calcium in their composition. Almonds are highly recommended for the development of diabetic osteoarthropathy affecting bones and joints. By 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.
Pine nuts
Pine nuts are delicious in the first place. In addition, they contain a huge amount of K, Ca, vitamins B and D, ascorbic acid, phosphorus and magnesium, which are necessary if the goal is to eat well. 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 ingestion on blood sugar levels. Each product has its own glycemic index. If it is low (10-40 units), the blood sugar level will slowly rise, if the index is high (more than 70 units), then rapidly. In this regard, every person suffering from diabetes is simply obliged to know the glycemic index of what they eat.
If you are unsure, we strongly advise you not to take any chances, even if the disease is in its early stages. Because all high-index foods must be stopped. Products with an average index (if they are not on the forbidden list), you just need to limit their use.
Diabetes brings a lot of discomfort to the patient, but by following the correct diet and constantly monitoring blood sugar levels, one can lead a fulfilling lifestyle.
The article provides basic advice on how to eat right in diabetes. What is the right diet for you? A qualified specialist who knows the individual characteristics of your body will understand. He will make a diet that lowers sugar levels, the observance of which will help in the fight against an insidious ailment.
With diabetes, eat well, harmonizing the glycemic index of foods, paying attention to all the important aspects.
Be healthy!