Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes symptoms such as mental confusion, dizziness, fatigue and depression. It is characterized by insufficient production or use of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that transports blood glucose from the blood to body tissues for energy and repair. Heart disease caused by low-density lipoproteins, or "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides is also a common problem associated with diabetes. Diet is an important part of controlling blood glucose levels and cholesterol.
Talk to your physician before altering your diet to address diabetes symptoms. Diabetes is a potentially life-threatening condition that might require ongoing medical care.
Raw Vegetables
Raw vegetables are important components of a diabetes diet. Nutritionist Phyllis Balch recommends obtaining about 50 percent of your calorie intake from raw produce. These foods do not contain saturated fats, which are associated with high triglyceride and "bad" cholesterol levels. They are also rich sources of dietary fiber, which might help reduce "bad" cholesterol and glucose levels in your bloodstream. Choose raw vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, carrots, kale, cucumbers and red peppers.
Refined Flour
Refined flour, which is found in pizza crusts, white pastas and breads, bagels, cakes and pastries, is a simple carbohydrate. Your body converts simple carbs into glucose at a much faster rate than complex carbohydrates, which are found in whole-grain products. This can cause blood sugar spikes that trigger diabetic symptoms such as fatigue and confusion. Limit or avoid products containing refined flours in your diet.
Antioxidant Fruits
Antioxidants are substances that prevent oxygenation of free radical molecules, which are unstable molecules that attack and damage healthy organ, bone and muscle cells. Fruits such as apples, oranges, kiwi fruit, pineapple, grapefruit and mangoes are rich sources of antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. Adding antioxidant fruits to your diet might also lower blood glucose levels.
Red Meats
Pork and beef are red meats that are typically loaded with saturated fats. Consumption of red meats might elevate blood triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein levels, causing fatty blockages in your arteries and blood vessels. This forces your heart to work harder than necessary to pump blood through your circulatory system and might increase your risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke. Eliminate red meats from your diet and replace them with lean sources of protein such as fish, tofu, poultry or beans.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Diabetes
