Diabetes Nutrition & Metabolism

A nutritious meal plan is essential in order to maintain a healthy weight and control the effects of diabetes, a disease that raises your chance for heart attack, stroke and amputation. Although supplements marketed as metabolism boosters claim to enhance your ability to lose weight, these products often pose threats to your well-being. Consult your doctor prior to taking any remedy that promises fast weight loss.

Diabetes & Nutrition

Your body's failure to produce sufficient amounts of a hormone called insulin or an inability to use insulin correctly causes the disease diabetes. Insulin is vital to your health because it allows glucose, or blood sugar that comes from the foods you eat, to convert into an energy source for your body. An insulin imbalance leads to excess blood sugar buildup and that elevates your risk for a number of serious health conditions, including heart and kidney problems and nerve damage to your eyes and feet. A nutritious diet that allows you to maintain a normal body weight is the most effective method to control diabetes and reduces your likelihood for the complications often caused by the disease.

Nutritious Diabetes Meal Plan

The success of a diabetes diet centers around the consumption of nutritious foods, as well as on eating smaller portions and scheduling your meals at the same times each day when possible. Doctors typically recommend a diet with plenty of carbohydrates and fiber from foods like fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, as well as legumes like peas and beans and whole grains. Aim to consume fresh fish like salmon and herring at least twice weekly, which contain omega-3 acids that lower the levels of fat in your blood. Your body also benefits from a diabetes diet with moderate amounts of foods that are high in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including almonds, avocados and canola and olive oils.

Metabolism & Weight Control

Your body breaks down the foods and beverages you consume into energy through a process called metabolism. Several factors affect the rate of your metabolism, including body size, gender, and age and food digestion, as well as physical activity. Companies that market herbal supplements often promise to help you achieve fast weight loss by boosting your metabolism, although the products haven't been tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety or effectiveness and can pose serious threats to your health, especially when you have diabetes. Boosting your metabolism is unlikely to produce the level of weight loss that can help you control diabetes or reduce your risk for the effects of the disease.

Diabetes Nutrition & Exercise

Avoid the risks associated with unproven metabolism boosters by complementing your nutritious diabetes meal plan with regular exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Jogging, swimming or brisk walking are safe forms of aerobic activity that help you lose weight, while strength training with weights improves your body's ability to burn calories. Check with your doctor before starting any activity plan and ask your doctor for advice if you suspect your metabolism is lower than normal. Your doctor may also recommend a nutritionist who can assist you in building your diabetes meal plan.

Diabetes Nutrition & Metabolism