Diabetes is a dangerous disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin, produces no insulin, or has cells that do not respond to the insulin. Insulin is a hormone that transforms sugars, starches and other food products to energy. According to the American Diabetes Association estimates, nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
There are three types of diabetes:Type 1 Diabetes results when your body does not produce insulin.This requires to inject insulin into the body. Type 2 Diabetes usually develops when your body does not produce enough insulin or your insulin is not working properly. Gestational diabetes is seen in pregnant women with no previous history of diabetes.This condition goes away after the baby is born.
Causes of Diabetes
If you have a diabetes history in the family, there are chances of inheriting it. Diet also plays a role in causing diabetes.The body needs a balanced diet to produce energy for functioning. If you eat too much carbohydrates, fats or proteins, it destroys insulin secretion, resulting in high blood glucose levels and causing diabetes. Obesity also is an important factor causing diabetes. So, exercise must be incorporated for a healthy life. Stress also plays a major role in diabetes, and people who smoke have higher chances of developing diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetes
The first symptom is excess urination, which is paired with increased thirst. You get tired quickly and feel weak. You see a sudden increase in appetite and feel hungry quite often, though there is an unexpected weight loss. Any wounds you have take a long time to heal. You may have blurred vision. If you face any or all of these symptoms, it is time to consult your doctor.
Diabetic Diet
Having diabetes doesn't mean you have to shop for groceries in a special store. When shopping, you should prefer low-fat or fat-free dairy products and lean meats. This helps in cutting saturated fats. If an item reads "No Sugar Added," it does not mean it is "Sugar Free." Eat whole grains, brown rice and whole wheat items. Eat lots of fresh green vegetables. If purchasing canned vegetables, look for low-sodium. Stay away from processed foods. Eat as much fresh food as you can. Read food labels so you know the amount of carbohydrates, fats, sugars and fiber in each serving.
Meal Planning
There are three types of meal plans for a diabetic person.
On the exchange meal plan, food is grouped in six categories: starches, fruits, milk, meat, vegetables and fats. When you see what category a food falls into, you can estimate its calories, carbohydrates, fats and protein content. You can also substitute food within a group, as they all would have the same nutritional values. Exchange meal plan lists can be obtained from a registered dietician.
A constant carbohydrate meal plan is based on the concept that carbohydrates affect your blood sugar more than any other food. In this plan, the amount of insulin intake is adjusted based on the carbohydrates you consume in a day. A dietician would tell you the amount of carbs to be taken everyday. The insulin is taken at a specific time each day. Consistency is the key to this plan. This plan is more manageable for people in the early stages of diabetes.
With a carbohydrate counting plan, you calculate the amount of carbohydrates you consume during each meal. Then, the dosage of insulin is adjusted. This plan requires careful monitoring of the carbohydrates consumed for the entire day.
Considerations
People with diabetes need 12 percent to 16 percent of their daily calories to come from protein. 25 percent to 30 percent from fat and 50 percent to 55 percent from carbohydrates. Consumption of fiber is good for diabetics, just like everyone else. Studies have proved that consumption of fiber products do not raise blood glucose levels, though fiber is considered as a carbohydrate. Studies by the American College of Nutrition recommend 25 to 50 grams of fiber per day.
