Diabetes is a disease process that starts when the body cannot properly store and manage sugars in the bloodstream. Much of the sugars in the bloodstream come from the diet. Adapting a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise as well as a diet low in sugar would be greatly beneficial for diabetics. As diabetes has many associated diseases, it is important to take your overall health into account when looking at diets.
Gluten-Free Diet
Type 1 diabetics more often than Type 2 diabetics have an associated autoimmune disorder called celiac disease. This is a condition in which gluten in the intestines will cause inflammation and the body to attack itself. Approximately 10 percent of all Type 1 diabetics have celiac disease, according to an article published in "Practical Gastroenterology" in March 2007. Gluten is in all products containing wheat, barley, rye and some oats. Items like soy sauce and even medications can contain gluten, according to the American Diabetes Association. Cheating in any way can lead to further upset and even difficulty with maintaining blood sugars.
The ADA recommends three different ways to follow a gluten-free diet: eating only foods that are not packaged, avoiding eating out and preparing all meals at home, or eating packaged foods and reading the labels excessively for gluten. The last option is to look for foods specifically labeled gluten-free, but even then small amounts may sneak in depending on what country the item came from and labeling laws.
DASH Diet
The DASH diet stands for dietary approaches to stop hypertension. Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with other health risks, such as obesity, high blood pressure and stroke, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. When there are risks like high blood pressure, following a diet for high blood pressure will help both issues. The DASH diet has easy-to-follow recipes and is endorsed by several health organizations, including the American Heart Association.
TLC Diet
The TLC diet stands for therapeutic lifestyle change diet, which not only includes altering the diet to lower cholesterol and help the heart, but also to make other changes, such as exercising and quitting smoking. This diet is recommended by the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute since diabetes is associated with other diseases like heart disease and stroke. The diet is more focused on lowering salts, fats and cholesterol in the diet while at the same time keeping calories low enough to lose or maintain current weight.
References
- "Practical Gastroenterology"; Combining Diabetes and Gluten-Free Dietary Management Guidelines; C. Kupper and L. Higgins; March 2007
- DASH Diet: DASH Diet
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association: Celiac Disease
- National Heart Blood and Lung Institute: TLC Diet
