Diabetes mellitus is a disease that worries a person throughout life, it occurs due to complete or partial lack of pancreatic hormone - insulin. Insulin is a transporter of glucose into 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 diet for diabetes. This disease, in essence, occurs due to improper diet which consequently leads to metabolic disorders. It has been scientifically proven that it is foolish to deny that a diet for diabetics is the only real way to fight the disease.
Hyperglycemia is the main pathogenetic stage in the development of diabetes mellitus, to avoid, it is worth following a diet. The basis of the diet for diabetes mellitus is an increase in protein intake, reduction of carbohydrates in the daily diet, as well as fats that are easily converted into carbohydrate components and their components, which aggravates and worsens this disease. It turns out that by following simple and clear rules in the diet, you can return your metabolism and blood glucose levels to normal.
How to eat with diabetes
For diabetics, the question is always important - 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 proteins in the body and monitor the maintenance of glycogen, the natural production of the energy component of matter in our body. It 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 consuming beans for diabetes
Legumes are one of the richest sources of protein and amino acids. A prominent variety is white beans. It contains a large accumulation of non-essential and essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized in our body, and must be supplied by food sources, namely 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 are used with the use of beans, such an undesirable property can be avoided.
Cereals for diabetes mellitus
It is worth noting that one of the important aspects in adhering to 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 level of glucose at a stable level, without impulsive increases, from other foods.
In addition to buckwheat, the diet should also include oatmeal, wheat porridge, pearl barley and corn, it will be a real breakfast for diabetics. Cereals are enriched with various vitamin and mineral composition necessary for the stable and proper functioning of our organism, and they are also easily digestible. An important factor is that the above cereals are an excellent source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for filling muscle cells with energy.
Fruits to eat for diabetes mellitus
Fruit is the main source of vitamins, minerals and fiber necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. The concentration of these nutrients in this group of foods is several times higher than in any other food source. An important feature is the almost complete lack of glucose, and the predominance of fructose and sucrose in the composition.
Citrus fruits are the most useful fruit for diabetics, which is characterized by a low glycemic index.
Let’s look at which fruits and berries should be included in the diabetes diet.
Of fruits:
- grenades;
- oranges;
- dried fruits (plums, dried apricots, dried apples);
- pears;
- mandarins;
- grapefruit;
- nectarines;
- lemons;
- apricots;
- apples.
From berries:
- any kind of currant;
- gooseberry;
- blackberry;
- Cherry;
- blueberry.
Melons and watermelons should be consumed in moderation and in limited quantities, as these foods have a higher carbohydrate content.
Everyone who has diabetes should pay more attention to fruits such as 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 qualities of citrus fruits is their low glycemic index. This is explained by the fact that the effect of carbohydrate components in this fruit has very little effect on blood glucose levels;
- possess powerful 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. Diet for diabetics is not a reason not to indulge yourself!
A brief note on citrus juices. Try to avoid buying juices, even natural juices, in regular stores, because they contain components of carbohydrates and sugar, which can lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. It would be best to buy fresh fruit and make juice from a truly naturally grown product.
What should not be consumed in diabetes mellitus?
Every diabetic should know what not to eat with diabetes mellitus. If you consume all foods without exception, without prior knowledge of their glycemic index, it can lead to the progressive development of hyperglycemia with subsequent hyperglycemic coma.
The diet for diabetics should not contain forbidden foods.
Flour and bakery products:
- White bread, especially freshly baked goods;
- Any rich products;
- Puff pastry.
Meat products and seafood:
- Smoked products;
- Rich meat soups;
- Meat of some birds (duck, goose);
- Fatty pork and beef;
- Oily fish.
With diabetes, you will have to give up fatty and spicy meat products in favor of dietary meat (in limited quantities).
Fruits and dried fruits prohibited in diabetes mellitus:
- Bananas;
- Grapefruit;
- Dates;
- Fig;
- Strawberrys;
- Raisins.
milk products:
- Greasy sour cream;
- Whole milk;
- High fat kefir and yoghurt;
- Butter (especially homemade).
vegetable dishes:
- Potato;
- Peas;
- Any pickled vegetables.
Other food products:
- Sugar;
- Candy;
- Butter cookies;
- Fruit juices (trade);
- Any food in fast food establishments.
About the dangers and benefits of consuming 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 of life due to diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we will specifically analyze whether you can use them in your diet or not.
Honey
As they say, as 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. Let's think logically, there is a high content of fructose in the structure of honey, this carbohydrate ingredient is not able to significantly change the level of glucose in a person's blood. However, we cannot ignore the fact that we need insulin for the assimilation and metabolism of fructose, which, for example, in type 2 diabetes simply cannot fully fulfill its purpose. Consumption of honey in this case will lead to an increase in glycemia 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 a constant debate, but it was unanimously accepted that 1 tablespoon on an empty stomach will not hurt, but it will be useful.
Based on these facts, conclusions can be drawn for diabetics:
- Honey, as a substance useful for the body, should be present in the diet.
- Do not consume more than two tablespoons a day.
- For the greatest 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 beginning of energy generation and synthesis of nutrients in the body, working throughout the day. Most often, a small amount of this product is still found in various dietary reminders for diabetes.
Dates
A very controversial product to include in the diet for diabetes. They contain a huge amount of calories and fast carbohydrates, however, they contain a lot of potassium and vitamin A, which serves as a prejudice for the complications of diabetes.
Based on these facts, it is recommended:
- Diabetics with a severe form of this disease are strictly forbidden to use dates.
- In milder forms of diabetes, corrected by adherence to diet and hypoglycemic drugs, the use of a small amount is allowed, provided that the daily intake does not exceed 100 grams.
Diabetics are advised to refuse coffee.
Coffee
People with severe diabetes are advised to avoid this product, regardless of the concentration of coffee. With the average severity of this disease, the use of a small amount of weak coffee is allowed.
Despite the fact that it has virtually no effect on carbohydrate metabolism, coffee activates the vasomotor center and relaxes the walls of blood vessels. As a result, the muscles of the skeletal, heart and kidney muscles dilate, increasing the activity of the cerebral arteries. Therefore, the diet for diabetics excludes coffee.
Nuts and their useful properties
Nuts are, without exaggeration, just a "melting pot" of useful properties and nutrients necessary for our body. These include vitamin D-3, K, Ca, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the fight against diabetes, nuts play an important role, they directly affect the metabolism of carbohydrates, lowering the level of glycemia. In addition, the use of nuts helps to repair damaged cells of internal organs, stopping the development of complications of diabetes. Therefore, the introduction of this product into the diet of a person with diabetes is vital.
Consider in particular the effect of different types of nuts on sugar reduction.
Walnut
We all know from childhood that this type of nut is brain food. The diet for diabetes should contain nuts, this is one of the most important foods, because the brain lacks energy compounds due to insufficient intake of glucose in it.
Nuts rich in nutrients must be present in the diet of diabetics.
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 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 walnuts contain virtually no carbohydrates, this is a simple answer to all questions about the role of walnuts. It can be eaten with diabetes as a separate dish or as a dietary supplement.
Peanuts
This is a dietary product, especially rich in amino acid composition, and its proteins are plant-based, so they cannot be replaced by any proteins from animal products. Therefore peanuts must be included in breakfast, lunch or dinner for each day. 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. It "expels" cholesterol from the blood vessels and breaks it down.
Almonds
They have the highest amount of calcium in their composition. Almonds are highly recommended for the development of diabetic osteoarthropathy that affects the bones and joints. By taking 10-13 almonds a day, you will supply the body with the necessary trace elements, it will have a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism. The adult diabetes diet should include almonds.
Pine nuts
Pine nuts are delicious above all. 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 properly. 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), then the blood sugar level will rise slowly, if the index is high (more than 70 units), then quickly. In this regard, every person suffering from diabetes is simply obliged to know the glycemic index of what he eats.
If you are unsure, we strongly recommend that you do not take risks, 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 by following a proper diet and constantly monitoring your blood sugar levels, you can lead a fulfilled lifestyle.
The article gives basic recommendations on how to eat well in diabetes. Which diet is right for you? A qualified professional 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 insidious diseases.
Eat properly in diabetes, adjusting the glycemic index of foods, paying attention to all important aspects.
Be healthy!