Diabetic Diet: Dos and Don’ts

What people with diabetes can and cannot eat

There is no cure for diabetes. It is believed that when blood glucose levels are normal, the purpose of therapeutic measures is achieved, which is to prevent complications. Treatment includes diet therapy, exercise, medication, and prevention of complications.

Diet for diabetes is the foundation of treatment. Proper nutrition can help improve the condition and cope with symptoms. Yes, you will have to radically modify your diet and diet. Yes, you have to give up sweets and fats. Yes, your diet will have many restrictions. Doesn't the prospect of eating cabbage and brown bread your whole life inspire you? Do not be angry!

Nutrition can be different for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The most important thing is to understand what you can and cannot eat.

Focus: Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the main providers of energy. In diabetes, they should be 50-60% of the dietary energy value. Foods containing carbohydrates generally fall into two categories:

  • Fast (easy) carbs. They are absorbed within 15-20 minutes of consumption and cause an immediate rise in blood sugar. These are any candy, starch, sugar, potatoes, white bread, semolina and rice cereal. Their use must be abandoned.
  • Slow (complex) carbohydrates are absorbed within a few hours. These are almost all grains, grain breads, vegetables, fruits, berries. They can and should be consumed, but you must strictly control the quantity.

Cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini, eggplant, lettuce, sorrel, spinach, rhubarb, radishes, radishes, cranberries, lemons, apples, and plums can consume up to 600-800 grams per day. Carrots, beets, onions, swede, celery, bell peppers, beans, citrus fruits, cherry plums, pears, peaches, lingonberries, strawberries, raspberries, black currants, currants, blueberries, sweet apples, but in quantitylimited. From the diet, you will have to severely limit potatoes and completely exclude pineapples, bananas, pomegranates, cherries and cherries, persimmons, grapes and dried fruits.

Very important is dietary fiber, which is contained in plant foods that can lower blood sugar. Some foods such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lemons, onions, garlic, oats, beans, mung beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and green leaf lettuce have hypoglycemic effects.

If refusing sweets is unbearable, your doctor will advise which sugar substitutes are best to use in each situation and how much to use.

Fat

Reduced animal fat content in the diet. This is especially true for refractory fats of animal origin - lamb, pork, fatty beef, duck, goose. You can't eat cholesterol-rich foods (heart, liver and other internal organs). Easily digestible fats of plant origin should be prioritized.

You can't completely reject fats, without them you won't get fat-soluble vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids omega-6 and omega-3. They should be 25-30% of the dietary energy value.

squirrel

Often, protein requires more than physiological standards. They compensate for the energy value of the diet while reducing fat and carbohydrate content.

You should get about 20% of your calories from protein. At the same time, 55% of the total protein is animal protein.

Recommend lean beef, rabbit, turkey, fish, chicken, eggs, cottage cheese and other dairy products, as well as beans and protein in specialized SBCS products.

Diabetes Diet Guide

  1. Forget fried, smoked and salty. Products need to be boiled, steamed, and roasted.
  2. The daily amount of food is divided into 5-6 meals. This promotes even absorption of carbohydrates and helps avoid sudden spikes in blood sugar. Breakfast should account for 25% of the energy intensity of the diet, lunch - 10-15%, lunch - 25%, afternoon tea - 5-10%, dinner - 25%, second dinner - 5-10%.
  3. It is recommended to eat at the same time and strictly abide by the dietary habits. This is especially important in insulin-dependent diabetes.
  4. The calorie content of each day's food should be about the same.
  5. It is necessary to follow the drinking pattern recommended by the doctor.

Reasonable and balanced nutrition is the foundation of the health of diabetic patients. Don't forget moderate physical activity and weight loss. They will help you feel better and live longer.