By: Bertil Hjert
Diabetic is a serious disease where the patient can suffer from major problems if he or she does not take proper care about controlling and treating it as directed by the doctor.
According to medical experts, a diabetic diet plays the major role in order to control the blood sugar levels in the body. Since diabetes is a chronic disease, it does not have any permanent cure. However, with proper care and treatment, one can expect to live a long and happy life with this disease.
A diabetic diet may either be used alone or in conjunction with insulin doses or oral hypoglycemic drug. The main aim of this diet is to balance the ideal body weight. This is done by providing requisite nutrition in conjunction with normal blood sugar levels in blood.
A medical expert usually takes the patient's height, weight, age, sex, nature of diabetes and physical activity in to consideration prior to planning a diet. It is also important to consider certain complications such as high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
After considering all these factors, a dietician will analyze the number of calories to be provided to the patient via planning the proteins, carbohydrates, type of carbohydrates fats and amount of fiber one should take.
A common diet plan usually prescribed to patient with diabetes is an exchange meal plan. It is a program that effectively balances the amount of carbohydrates you take in to your body on a daily basis. Glucose is a type of sugar that carbohydrate releases. Hence, if you desire to control blood sugar, you require to restrict the simple carbohydrate consumption.
Carbohydrate foods are prescribed according to value per portion, referred to as exchange. This diabetic diet plan is helpful in deciding that type of food to be taken, time to eat and the amount of food that should be eaten.
You can even plan for flexible diet programs as you increase your knowledge related to the type of food that will benefit you and the type of foods you should completely avoid.
1) Here are certain crucial factors to be considered when planning a diabetes diet:
a) You should take at least 40 grams of fiber each day.
b) Don't eat the traditional three heavy meals.
c) Divide your meal in to small food servings.
d) Have a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables daily.
e) Don't consume bakery products.
f) Go for whole cooked cereals.
g) Avoid eating anything two hours before bed time.
The major goals of a diabetes diet is to balance your blood glucose levels, maintain healthy lipid levels, maintain a healthy weight and avoiding certain complications such as diseases related to kidney, feet, heart and the eyes.
2) Avoid the following food items when planning a diabetes diet:
a) Starchy foods such as white bread, pasta and potatoes
b) Sugars such as table sugar, honey, fruits and sweets
c) Artificially sweetened juices
d) Fried and processed food
e) Reduce salt intake.
3) The essential ingredients of a diabetic diet include the following:
a) Carbohydrates
b) Proteins
c) Fibers
d) Saturated fats
