0DIET
Diet plays an important role in the management of diabetes. Being diabetic does not mean that the patient should deviate from the normal diet completely. The aim of the diabetic diet should be to control the blood sugar and to maintain an adequate nutritional status.
The following components of a diabetic diet if properly followed will help a diabetic achieve a good control of blood sugar.
Maintain normal weight
Choose right type of carbohydrate
Increase fiber in diet
Include antioxidants in the diet
Fixed meal timings
Smaller meals
• Maintain normal weight:
Most of the diabetics are obese or overweight. They must try to achieve ideal body weight. If underweight, then they should try to bring it up and maintain at ideal body weight.
•Choose right type of carbohydrate:
Most of our body cells utilize glucose as a major source of energy. Carbohydrates are the main source of glucose in the body.
There are two types of carbohydrate
i. Simple carbohydrate
ii Complex carbohydrate
Simple carbohydrate consist of the basic glucose units joined together in a straight chain. As soon as they get into the digestive system the links break up very quickly releasing the glucose molecules that raise the blood glucose level.
Complex carbohydrates are those in which the glucose units are linked in a complex form i.e. branched structure. When this is put into the digestive system the links break up slowly, thus gradually releasing the glucose. So there is a gradual rise in blood glucose levels. This allows insulin more time to work.
Thus, a diabetic must select the kind of carbohydrate which will constantly supply the blood with glucose but will not suddenly increase the blood glucose level. In other words, a diabetic patient must eat complex carbohydrates instead of simple carbohydrates.
To distinguish between simple and complex carbohydrate it is not always possible to get the food tested in a laboratory every time before consuming it. For this, one simple rule is anything that tastes sweet when put into the mouth is simple carbohydrate. Example raw sugar, honey, jaggery. Those foods which do not taste sweet are complex carbohydrate. Example chapatti, vegetables.
If you want, you can make use of artificial sweeteners like sweetex, equal, sugar-free to make the food taste sweet.
•Increase fiber in diet:
Diabetics must consume high fiber foods. Fiber slows down the absorption of food in the intestine. Thereby they are very effective in controlling blood glucose. Wheat, oat, wheat bran, all vegetables (except potato) are good sources of fiber. Fruits, whole cereals, whole pulses also have more fiber. One should take a lot of salads with meals, put lot of vegetables and choker in the flour for making chapattis, take sprouts etc. to increase the fiber content of food.
•Include antioxidants in the diet:
Diabetes also damages nerves, eyes, kidneys, heart and leads to early aging. Most of these degenerations are promoted by oxidation of cells.
This can be prevented by consumption of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. Intake of a fairly good amount of colored fruits (non-sweet) and vegetables, citrus fruits, whole pulses, whole cereals, sprouts will provide all antioxidants to the requirement level.
•Fixed meal timings:
A diabetic should take the same amount of food every day. It is better to have fixed meal timings, as many of the diabetics are either on insulin or medication. This would ensure adequate action of these medications with the release of glucose from food.
•Smaller meals:
Instead of having 1-2 big meals a diabetes patient must have 6-7 smaller meals. This helps in preventing peak rise in blood glucose levels and helps to maintain it within normal limits. A diabetic must not also skip meals or do fasting, to prevent chances of hypoglycemia.
