A person is diagnosed with diabetes when the glucose in his or her body could no longer control the sugar level. When this happens, sugar enters into the person’s veins.
Although there is no cure to eliminate diabetes fully, it could be controlled by insulin.
A diabetic could no longer eat what he or she is accustomed to, such as sweets, large amounts of carbohydrates and fats. People with diabetes are advised to follow a nutritional guideline in order to manage their condition.
The so-called Diabetic Diet, as the name may suggest, is not exactly for diabetics alone. Since the diet follows basic and medically sensible health principles, it could also help a person maintain healthy weight, maintain blood sugar levels and other physiological needs.
There are three levels of diabetes and each type has specific prevention methods.
The type 1 diabetes, also called IDDM or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is commonly present among people below 40 years of age. If you are a type 1 diabetic, the only way to control this is through insulin injection or other insulin-infusion methods.
People with type 1 diabetes are not forced to follow a diet. They could eat anything they want as long as their calorie intake does not go beyond the required amount, which is 35 calories per kg of the body weight everyday.
The type 2 diabetes, also called NIDDM or on-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is commonly present among people over the age of 40 and accounts to approximately 90% of all people diagnosed with diabetes.
Majority of type 2 diabetics are overweight. Because of this, the only way to treat their condition is through exercise, medication and healthy eating. Type 2 diabetics are required to follow a 1500-1800/day calorie diet to ensure weight loss and maintain the body. This number, however, could vary depending on factors such as weight, age, body structure and sex.
The type 3 diabetes, also called gestational diabetes, is diagnosed only with pregnant women. This condition reflects how the baby reacts towards the mother’s blood sugar level.
All three types of diabetics require a change in lifestyle. Included in this change is how each meal is taken.
The Diabetic Diet is based on the idea that each person is supposed to consume only a certain percentage of their daily calories from protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Fifty to sixty percent of the calories should come from carbohydrates. No more than 30% should go towards fat consumption. Lastly, 20% of a person’s calories should go towards protein. This closely controlled percentage is important for diabetics because they should maintain the same amount of glucose, which is released into their bloodstream, in a consistent basis.
The Diabetic Diet plan should be balanced. It should be low in cholesterol, low in fat and low in sugar. On the other hand, the diet should be high in fruits, whole grains, fiber and vegetables. These food items are important in preventing high blood pressure and heart-related diseases.
Although there are many resources where you could find Diabetic Diet meal plans, it is important that you allow your nutritionist to provide your diet plan.
If you follow the diabetic diet mapped out by your nutritionist and practice constant exercise, this may have positive results in relation to losing weight and additional health benefits.
However, this diet may not meet all diabetics’ needs because each diabetes type requires different curing approaches.
