Is Diabetes Nutrition About Cutting Out Sugar?
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Diabetes is a metabolic disorder wheree the sugar content in food can not be converted into energy that the body needs to function normally. This means that the sugar is left in the blood and can reach a high concentration if not treated. Consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to a range of complications from poor circulation to heart disease. In people with type 1 diabetes, treatment generally involves injecting insulin into the body to lower the blood sugar level and a controlled diet. In type 2 diabetes, insulin may be required but in many cases the disease can be controlled by diet alone. People with both types of the disease are encouraged to engage in a regular exercise program as a part of their on-going treatment.
So as you can see, controlling the food we eat is an important part of the treatment for the disease. Diabetic diets have a few basic aims.
They aim to control the number of calories that are consumed per day. In many cases, especially with type 2 diabetes, excess weight is an issue that may have caused diabetes or exacerbates the condition. Restricting the number of calories can stabilize gain gain or help to lose weight if combined with an exercise program. This is better for the overall health of the body and in treating diabetes.
The second point of a diabetic diet plan is to provide a balanced approach to food. A typical diet will follow many of the principles set out in the diabetic food pyramid. Therefore a typical meal or daily plan should consist of carbohydrates, fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products and protein.
Most of the sugar that the body uses to convert to energy will come from the carbohydrates that are consumed so this food group should be monitored. A plan will specify the proportions of carbohydrates and the number of portions that can be eaten in one sitting.
It is suggested to avoid fatty foods and oils mainly because they serve no real benefits to the overall health of the body which can only make diabetes worse.
Eating sweet foods that contain lots of sugar as part of a diet plan is also advised against but can be taken from time to time as a treat. Sugar gets into the body regardless of how much sugary foods are eaten and is vital for providing the body with energy. The aim of a balanced diabetic diet is to keep this blood sugar reading at a steady and constant level as much as possible. Eating sugary foods will cause this level to spike up. Large variations in the blood sugar level is extremely bad for the health of the person.
Another part of diabetic nutrition is to eat on a regular basis. This ensures that blood sugar reading will be constant at all times.
Diabetic nutrition is not so much about restricting the amount of sugar that the body gets but how and what type of foods provide the sugar that our bodies need to create energy.
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