Diet for diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of diseases associated with impaired glucose absorption. As a result, its concentration in the blood increases significantly.

Diabetes develops for many reasons. Some diseases are caused by genetic factors, while others are related to lifestyle or environmental factors.

The disease causes significant damage to the body. Prolonged excess glucose (sugar) in the blood will gradually destroy blood vessel walls and can lead to kidney and heart dysfunction and nerve cell death. But such complications can be prevented. The main thing is to follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment and adjust your diet.

Types of diabetes

Depending on the mechanism of disease formation, diabetes is divided into two main types: type 1 and type 2.

There are also other types of diabetes:

• potential (prediabetes) a condition in which blood sugar levels are at the upper limit of normal, but do not exceed them;
• insipidus is a disease in which the body lacks antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or the kidneys lose sensitivity to it. As a result, symptoms similar to diabetes appear - thirst, frequent urination, weakness;
• Pregnancy is a temporary condition that develops during pregnancy and is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels;
• Latent diabetes mellitus, which develops asymptomatically for a long time (similar to type 2 diabetes), but at the same time, according to the mechanism of development, it is akin to type 1 diabetes (damage to the systemicimmune system);
• an unstable form of diabetes in which even continuous treatment with insulin fails to eliminate unprovoked hyperglycemia;
• a kidney disease in which the kidneys stop filtering fluid. As a result, symptoms similar to those of diabetes appear: frequent urge to urinate and feeling thirsty;
• Postoperative conditions that develop after pancreatic surgery;
• Pancreatic diseases, which occur based on chronic pathologies of the pancreas (for example, chronic pancreatitis);
• extrapancreatic diseases, which occur against the background of chronic pathologies, but can gradually lead to pancreatic disorders.

Type 1 diabetes

With this type of disease, the body's immunity destroys the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin. As a result, insulin cannot enter the bloodstream and cannot transport glucose into cells. Because of this, it remains in the vessels and gradually destroys them.

Type 1 diabetes often develops in children and adolescents, although it can occur at any age

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often appear clearly.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

• intense thirst and hunger,
• weak,
• frequent urination,
• sudden weight loss,
• blurred vision.

If left untreated, these symptoms are accompanied by signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (one of the complications of diabetes): thirst, weakness, coma, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty exercisingcentral. The person may even fall into a coma.

People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin for life.

Type 2 diabetes

In this case, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the cells are not sensitive to it, so they cannot absorb glucose and its concentration in the blood increases.

Excess weight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can develop silently over a long period of time, so people don't always notice the first symptoms of the disease.

Possible symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

• frequent urination;
• strong thirst;
• hungry even after eating;
• Tired;
• blurred vision;
• slow wound healing;
• darkening of the skin on elbows and knees;
• tingling, pain, or numbness in the arms and legs.

Risk of developing diabetes

Types of diets for diabetes

There is no special diet for diabetes, but people suffering from this disease are often mistakenly advised to choose one of the strict nutritional systems that supposedly will help overcome the disease. For example, completely eliminate carbohydrates from the diet, replace them with proteins, eat only buckwheat porridge or adhere to another mono-diet.

There is no carbohydrate diet

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for cells. They come in three types: sugar, starch, and fiber. Sugar is simple carbohydrates, including glucose. Natural sugars are found in fruits and vegetables, artificial (added) sugars are found in confectionery products, sauces and canned foods. Starch and fiber are complex carbohydrates. Starch is found in fruits, seeds and tubers of plants, fiber is found in fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread and pasta.

Glucose is a carbohydrate that causes major disorders in diabetes. For this reason, proponents of a zero-carbohydrate diet believe that eliminating glucose, and all carbohydrates, from the diet will help prevent disease. This is wrong.

The ratio of healthy carbohydrates in the diet is 50/55%

Carbohydrates are a source of energy, so you should not completely exclude them from your diet, moreover, it is quite difficult because they are present in almost all foods.

In the absence of carbohydrates, the body switches to obtaining energy from fats and proteins, the ratio of this energy when following such a diet is often increased due to the consumption of red meat. And this is a risk factor for heart disease and colorectal cancer.

In addition, carbohydrate sources such as fruits, vegetables and legumes contain many nutrients and minerals, the absence of which will negatively affect health and can make diabetes worse.

High protein diet

A high-protein diet or high-protein diet is a diet in which the daily amount of protein consumed exceeds the norm (0. 8 g per 1 kg of weight) and accounts for more than 15–16% of total calorie intake. .

There is no consensus that people with diabetes need to eat more protein. However, its excess increases some health risks.

Excess protein in the diet increases the load on the kidneys, and stones may begin to form in them. In addition, protein is mainly found in meat and dairy products, so when following such a diet, the possibility of vitamin and mineral deficiencies is very high due to the exclusion of fruits and vegetables from the diet.

Buckwheat diet

The buckwheat diet is a single-product diet with strict restrictions. The diet of such a diet consists of 70% buckwheat, gradually supplemented with other low-fat foods: vegetables, dried fruits, white meat, fish.

Cereals for buckwheat diet are prepared in a special way: do not boil, but pour with boiling water and leave for 4–6 hours

The main disadvantage of such a diet is the limitation in the amount of food consumed. Because of this, a person may lack beneficial vitamins and minerals. In addition, following the buckwheat diet is psychologically difficult: it seems that nothing is allowed. Therefore, the risk of slipping and overeating high-calorie foods increases significantly.

Diet for type 1 diabetes

There is no special diet for people with type 1 diabetes, but it is important for people with the condition to count the amount of carbohydrates they eat daily and take into account the glycemic index of foods. Additionally, they should follow the principles or methods of a healthy plate.

The amount of carbohydrates in the diet of an average person with type 1 diabetes should not exceed 17 units of bread per day.

The amount of carbohydrates that a person with diabetes can typically tolerate varies from person to person and depends on weight, physical activity level, daily calorie needs, and how the body metabolizes carbohydrates.

You can calculate the amount of carbohydrates you need each day with a nutritionist or doctor. After converting the amount of carbohydrates you eat into bread units, your doctor will help you determine the amount of insulin needed to absorb glucose. Over time, a person will learn to calculate this himself.

Correspondence table of carbohydrate-containing products with bread units

Product	1 XE (about 15 g carbohydrates)
white bread	1 piece
borodino bread	1 piece
buckwheat	1 tablespoon (dry)
Oatmeal Plates	1 tablespoon (dry)
Potato	1 medium tuber
Orange	1 piece
Strawberry	10 pieces
Apple	1 piece
Milk	1 cup
Ice cream made from milk	⅔ serving (without cup)

Blood sugar index

The glycemic index (GI) is a number that shows how the foods you eat affect your blood sugar levels.

The glycemic index is not calculated independently, it is usually indicated on food packaging.

It is believed that foods with a low GI slightly increase blood sugar levels and are broken down more slowly, so you stay fuller for longer. Foods with a high GI are digested faster and also significantly increase blood sugar levels.

All products containing carbohydrates are divided into three groups:

• Low GI (from 55) skim milk, apples, peanuts;
• with average GI (from 56 to 69) - spaghetti, buckwheat, cream;
• high GI (70 or more) - white bread, rice milk, white rice.

It is very useful for people with diabetes to know the glycemic index of foods. This way, he will be able to include low GI foods in his diet and not let his blood sugar spike. However, other factors need to be taken into account.

Research shows that the amount of carbohydrates eaten, not their number, has a greater impact on blood glucose levels. Simply put, you can also eat too many apples to the point of increasing your blood sugar. So for most people with diabetes, the best tool for monitoring blood sugar is carbohydrate counting.

Healthy plate method

The Healthy Plate method divides foods into five main groups: fruits and vegetables, slow-release carbohydrates, dairy, proteins and fats. You can combine these groups using regular disks.

Fruits and vegetables should make up a third or half of that. Slow carbohydrates - a third or a little more. The rest is dairy products, some are protein foods and a small portion is fat.

Principles of healthy eating on a plate

How to assemble a healthy plate:

• Step 1.We choose a plate. Its diameter should be equal to the length of the palm.
• Step 2.Place vegetables and fruits on a plate. They can be in any form: fresh, stewed, boiled, canned. The serving size should be half the plate or a little less.
• Step 3.Divide the remaining portion of the plate in half. We introduce slow carbohydrates in the first half - grain products, coated potatoes, wholemeal bread or pasta. We fill the remaining quarter with protein sources - lentils, beans, peas, fish, eggs, lean meat.

Additionally, people with type 1 diabetes should follow these important healthy eating principles:

• drink according to thirst;
• eat less salt - no more than a teaspoon (5-6 g) per day;
• limit the consumption of trans fats (found in many processed and processed foods - fast food, cakes and pastries);
• Reduce consumption of saturated fats (found in pastries, fatty meats, sausages, butter and lard).

Anyone with type 1 diabetes should discuss their diet with a dietitian to determine the best nutrition and exercise plan for insulin use.

Diet for type 2 diabetes

Because foods containing carbohydrates directly affect blood sugar levels, a carbohydrate-balanced diet is one of the main directions in preventing type 2 diabetes.

In order not to count the amount of carbohydrates eaten, doctors recommend that people with type 2 diabetes should eat according to the healthy plate principle (as with type 1 diabetes). The emphasis in the diet is on increasing the proportion of non-starchy vegetables, fiber and lean protein.

Additionally, this diet is rich in fiber, the consumption of which helps avoid blood sugar spikes and promotes weight loss.

Fiber is digested more slowly, which means it provides a lasting feeling of fullness.

When eating using the healthy plate method, at each meal you should mentally divide the plate into three parts. Half should be filled with non-starchy vegetables - fresh or cooked. This can be lettuce, cauliflower, green beans, tomatoes.

A quarter of the plate should be occupied by low-fat protein sources: grilled fish, boiled meat, beans, tofu. The protein portion of the plate should fit in the palm of your hand.

The remaining 1/4 are complex carbohydrates like whole-grain breads and cereals. Their portion should be the size of a fist.

Additionally, you can add a portion of healthy fat (for example, a few slices of avocado) or toss the lettuce with a spoonful of unrefined olive oil.

Diet for gestational diabetes

Food directly affects blood sugar levels, so a healthy, balanced diet will help control gestational and gestational diabetes.

There is no right diet that is best for women with gestational diabetes. The problem is that what works for one person may not work for another. But there are some popular diets that help control the disease.

DASH diet (dietary approach to prevent hypertension)

DASH, or Dietary Approaches to Control Blood Pressure, was developed for people with high blood pressure. Over time, doctors and scientists discovered that such a diet helps cure other diseases, including gestational diabetes.

As a result, a study of 52 women with gestational diabetes found that following the DASH diet for 4 weeks resulted in a reduced need for insulin treatment and fewer cesarean deliveries.

According to the DASH diet, your diet should include:

• low-sodium foods (no more than 2, 300 mg of sodium per day, equivalent to 1 teaspoon of salt);
• fruit;
• vegetable;
• cereals;
• low-fat dairy products;
• lean meat and fish;
• beans and nuts;
• vegetable oil.

Limit consumption or exclude from the diet:

• foods high in saturated fat (red meat, full-fat dairy, coconut and palm oil);
• candy, sugary fruit juices and sugary carbonated drinks, alcohol.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is an eating plan based on the diets of people in France, Spain, Italy and Greece. It includes vegetables, fruits, protein sources, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and olive oil.

The Mediterranean diet requires you to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. One serving is 80 grams of fresh fruits and vegetables or 30 grams of dried fruit.

For example, a serving of fruit or vegetables is one medium apple, half a cup of cucumbers or carrots, or one cup of leafy vegetables.

The main source of unsaturated fats in the Mediterranean diet is olive oil. Healthy fats are also found in nuts, olives and fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna, salmon, trout).

With the Mediterranean diet, you should eat fish twice a week.

When following the Mediterranean diet, some foods are not eaten at all or the amounts in the diet are limited. For example, you should eat less red and processed meat - no more than twice a week. Dairy products are replaced with fermented and low-fat products, such as Greek yogurt or low-fat cheese.

The Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. This diet is rich in fiber, slows digestion, prevents swings in blood sugar levels, and helps maintain a healthy weight.

Healthy plate method

Additionally, as with other types of diabetes, doctors recommend that women with gestational diabetes use a healthy diet.

Products are divided into five main groups: fruits and vegetables, slow carbohydrates, dairy products, proteins and fats.

Using these groups, you can assemble your own healthy plate. Fill half the plate with vegetables, herbs and fruit, one-third with slow carbohydrates (e. g. , whole grains, whole-grain pasta), one-third with low-fat protein sources (fish, white meat, producefrom milk), the rest is healthy food. vegetable fats.

In stores, you can buy dishes with compartments so that you do not have to use your eyes to assemble healthy plates

Often such plates are sold in the children's section

Example of a gestational diabetes diet using the healthy plate method

Breakfast:

• 1 apple,
• a handful of lettuce with a spoonful of olive oil, ½ cucumber,
• 2 slices of whole grain bread,
• 1 boiled egg,
• Yogurt without sugar.

Dinner:

• one portion of fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, Korean carrots);
• a handful of brown rice;
• a piece of grilled white fish;
• a handful of nuts.

Dinner:

• grilled chicken breast,
• boiled green beans,
• green salad with eggs,
• a few pieces of cheese.

Diet for diabetes in children

Children often have type 1 diabetes, so they must monitor their blood sugar levels and take insulin injections throughout their lives.

Typically, a typical school or daycare meal plan is very similar to what a person with diabetes should follow. In the dining room, they can eat everything except products containing pure sugar: for example, it is better to replace fruit juice with unsweetened tea or water.

Depending on what the child eats, the child or parent will determine the dose of insulin to inject. As a rule, the canteen menu is prepared a week in advance so you can know in advance what the child will eat.

Another important condition is to ensure that children snack several times a day. This will help avoid a sharp drop in blood sugar - hypoglycemia, which can cause your child to faint.

Precursors to hypoglycemia - pale skin, excessive sweating, tremors, weakness

Mild hypoglycemia can be quickly relieved by drinking sweet fruit juice, eating a few sugar cubes or taking a glucose pill. The child or parent must have all of this on hand at all times: in a briefcase or bag.

Additionally, it is important to explain to teachers or caregivers that children should always have a snack. Preferably at the same time. And before learning physical education, the baby must definitely measure blood sugar levels and eat something with carbohydrates. This will help avoid hypoglycemia because exercise causes the body to burn glucose faster.

Dessert recipes for people with diabetes

People with diabetes often crave forbidden sweets, making it difficult for them to stick to a healthy diet. However, there are many desserts that contain large amounts of protein and fiber and do not increase blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrate content in all given recipes does not exceed 15 g or 1 bread unit. Stevia can be replaced with any common sugar alternative.

Panna cotta

One serving of dessert contains 335 kcal, 2 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates, 4 g total sugar and 0 g added sugar

Cooking time: 15 minutes.

The dessert should be prepared in advance as it will take time to harden after cooking (at least 3 hours).

Ingredient:

• 1. 5 tbsp. I. dry gelatin
• 60ml cold water
• 60ml hot water
• 2 cups heavy cream (over 30%)
• 2 teaspoons. vanilla
• stevia to taste (about 4 g powder)
• pinch

Preparation:

1. Pour the gelatin into a bowl of cold water and leave for a few minutes. Pour in hot water and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
2. Add all other ingredients and stir until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into a glass and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

The finished panna cotta can be decorated with fresh berries.

Peanut butter chocolate fudge

One serving of dessert contains 76 kcal, 7 g fat, 3 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates, 1 g total sugar and 0 g added sugar

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

Ingredient:

• 200 g dark chocolate (2 standard bars)
• 200g unsweetened peanut butter
• 4 teaspoons. Stevia powder
• ½ teaspoon. vanilla
• pinch

Preparation:

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler.
2. Mix all other ingredients with melted chocolate.
3. Pour mixture into silicone baking dish. Cool to room temperature. Cut into pieces before serving.

Pumpkin mousse cheesecake

One serving of dessert contains 136 kcal, 8 g protein, 13 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 8 g total sugars and 5 g added sugars

Cooking time: 30 minutes.

Ingredient:

• 150 g pureed pumpkin
• 150g cottage cheese or low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1. 5 tbsp. I. honey or maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon. Cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon. vanilla
• pinch
• 50 g Greek yogurt
• Almond flakes for decoration

Preparation:

1. Mix pumpkin puree, cheese, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until smooth.
2. Cover the cup with the resulting mixture with a lid or cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Before serving, divide the mixture into glasses and decorate with yogurt and almond petals.

Apple Cinnamon Popcorn

One serving of dessert contains 154 kcal, 9 g fat, 2 g protein, 15 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 5 g total sugar and 0 g added sugar

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

Ingredient:

• 1 tbsp. I. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. I. dry popcorn kernels
• ¾ teaspoon. Cinnamon
• 100 g dried apples

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat.
2. Place 1-2 popcorn kernels in the pan. Once they pop, you can pour out the remaining popcorn.
3. Cover the pan and wait until all the seeds open. Occasionally shake the pan.Careful!Do not open the lid until the popcorn has cooled because hot oil or hot kernels can burn your skin.
4. Sprinkle finished popcorn with cinnamon and apple slices.

Gogol-mogol

One serving of dessert contains 155 kcal, 9 g fat, 6 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates, 6 g total sugar and 0 g added sugar

Cooking time: 15 minutes.

Ingredient:

• 6 medium eggs
• 5. 5 cups of whole milk
• 0. 5 cups heavy cream (over 30%)
• stevia to taste (about 4 g powder)
• a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Add all ingredients except nutmeg to blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a glass and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Finished eggnog can be decorated with a cinnamon stick.