“Diabetes is not a saying, but a way of life,” endocrinologists never tire of repeating this phrase.Compliance with a therapeutic diet is one of the basic points in diabetes treatment, helping patients live a full life.
Diabetes diet is the leading component in treatment.With this disease, there is a deficiency of insulin, a special pancreatic hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.The main symptom of diabetes is increased blood sugar, but disorders of carbohydrate metabolism are not isolated, but lead to imbalances in both protein and fat metabolism.
A diabetes diet is more than just carbohydrate restriction.The patient's diet also includes foods that help normalize the functioning of other organs and systems often affected by this endocrine disease.So, for example, with obesity occurring quite often, the menu includes as many vegetables as possible, containing a small amount of calories but giving a feeling of satiety: cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, peas, cabbage, lettuce.Considering that in many cases of diabetes the liver is also affected, the diet limits extracts (meat and fish broths), but always includes cheese, soy and oatmeal, which have a beneficial effect on liver function.And damage to the cardiovascular system requires salt restriction in the diet of diabetics.
The two types of diabetes today require different dietary approaches.In type 1 diabetes, diet is not so important - the focus in treatment is on insulin administration, which makes the diet of these patients less restrictive.But with type 2 diabetes, diet is of utmost importance - in the early stages of the disease, in many cases, it is possible to control blood sugar levels only by following therapeutic dietary recommendations without prescribing hypoglycemic drugs.
However, a diabetic diet of any type has general principles, compliance with which can stabilize carbohydrate metabolism to one degree or another.
Diet for diabetics: basic principles
- Meals are frequent, regular, at the same time - at least 4 times a day.
- Evenly distribute the calorie content and nutritional value of the diet between main meals.
- Variety, including many types of products recommended for diabetics.
- Use xylitol or sorbitol to sweeten foods.
- Monitor the calorie content of the daily diet using special tables.
- Limit liquids to 1200 ml, including first courses.
- Include in your food foods rich in vitamins: rose decoction, yeast, etc.
- Regularly monitor blood sugar levels by adjusting your diet depending on the results obtained.
Diet for type 2 diabetes
All therapeutic diets in modern medicine are usually designated numerically for ease of use.In case of diabetes, the classic diet is number 9 - otherwise they say “table number 9”.
What is diet number 9 for diabetes?
Suggested dishes:
- bread (focus on rye pastries) 200-300 g;
- vegetable broth soup;
- boiled or steamed meat and poultry;
- boiled or steamed lean fish;
- vegetables: white cabbage or cauliflower, lettuce, rutabaga, cucumbers, radishes, beets, carrots, potatoes;
- eggs – 2 pieces per day;
- unsweetened fruits and berries: Antonov apples, oranges, lemons, cranberries, cranberries, red grapes;
- kefir or yogurt – 200-400 ml per day;
- cottage cheese up to 200 mg per day;
- light sauces, including milk sauces;
- appetizers: vinegar, salad, jelly fish;
- drinks: tomato juice, milk tea, unsweetened fruit juice, unsweetened fruit juice;
- butter and vegetable oil – 40g per day.
Usage restrictions:
- cereals, legumes and pasta are used sparingly, while bread consumption is reduced;
- soup with weak fish or meat broth - no more than 2 times a week;
- sugar and sweets for diabetics - as recommended by a doctor;
- milk - as recommended by the doctor;
- cheese, cream, sour cream – limit;
- coffee.
Prohibited:
- chocolate, candy, cakes, honey, jam and the like;
- lard and lamb fat;
- Spicy, salty and smoked dishes:
- sweet fruits: bananas, raisins, grapes;
- alcohol in any form.
Table 9 is the diet for diabetics during the period of stable disease.As a rule, if the patient's condition worsens for some reason, the diet becomes more restrictive.In any case, only a doctor can give final recommendations on diet for type 2 diabetes.
Diet for type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, diet is determined by insulin administration, so these same recommendations often apply to patients with type 2 diabetes who require insulin injections.
The ingredients of this menu are not much different from the diet for type 2 diabetics but completely exclude sugar.Despite this ban, patients receiving insulin are encouraged to always carry a piece of sugar or candy with them, which may be necessary in case of a risk of hypoglycemia - a condition of low blood sugar, the severity of which can lead to a serious condition - coma.
Modern blood glucose meters and carbohydrate panels allow these patients to lead a more nutritious lifestyle.The current concept - one bread unit (XU), equivalent to 12 g of carbohydrates - allows diabetic patients receiving insulin to periodically eat even foods that are not recommended or to eat more carbohydrates.However, to do this, the patient needs to measure blood sugar before each meal and, based on the upcoming menu, expressed in XE, inject himself with the necessary amount of short-acting insulin.To count grain units, use a special table.
All of the above does not mean that type 1 diabetics can eat everything in any quantity: one meal should not contain more than 7-8 XE.For overweight patients, these restrictions are even stricter.
A special feature of the diet for type 1 diabetics is its high protein content.This requirement is especially suitable for patients with infectious complications and signs of nutritional disorders in the limbs.
Only the doctor is involved in drawing up a detailed diet, alternating meals and hourly insulin injections.
Weight loss diet for diabetes
Diabetics, especially type 2 diabetes, are often overweight.Therefore, the issue of dietary calorie restriction for these patients may be particularly relevant.However, no “fast” mono diet should be applied in this case.This ban is explained by the high risk of developing severe hypoglycemia (severely low blood sugar) if a balanced diet is disturbed, and in patients with type 1 diabetes and moderate type 2 diabetes, it is almost inevitable.
If you are overweight, a weight loss diet for diabetes includes adapting the usual therapeutic diet number 9 with a reduction in the content of refined carbohydrates (sugar) and some restriction of fats.However, such decisions should not be made without consulting a doctor: only together with the doctor can the patient create a safe diet with a reduced calorie content.