Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by metabolic disorders due to absolute or relative lack of insulin. The pancreas is the only organ, weighing 70-100 grams, located in the abdominal cavity in the arch of the duodenum. It plays a key role in the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also produces insulin which regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body. In this article, we will talk about what the diet should consist of in diabetes mellitus.
Types of diabetes
Doctors distinguish several types of diabetes due to the cause and course of the disease:
- insulin-dependent type I diabetes;
- type II diabetes, which usually occurs later in life, especially in obese patients.
Type I diabetes is usually the result of pancreatic damage. That is, primary damage to beta cells (those that produce insulin in the pancreas) and absolute lack of insulin secretion.
The initial signs of type I diabetes are intense thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination of large amounts of urine, blurred vision, fatigue, chronic infections. In some cases, the appearance is accompanied by cramps, confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness. Type I diabetes mellitus is considered an immune disease.
Type II diabetes is more common in obese people. The disease can be congenital or acquired, and is characterized by a decrease in insulin secretion in the pancreas, as well as insulin resistance. This means that even the exact amount of insulin in the body is not able to perform the task.
The disease is accompanied by excessive thirst and copious urination, slowly increasing blood sugar levels. The patient feels weak and sleepy. The disease often begins in middle-aged and elderly people. However, in recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of young patients with type II diabetes. And an alarmingly large number of children and adolescents with this condition who are overweight and obese.
Hyperglycemia what is it
Hyperglycemia - blood glucose level is above normal. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include excessive thirst, dry mouth, frequency of urination, weight loss, excessive daytime sleepiness.
The most common cause of hyperglycemia is undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes. In people with diabetes, this situation can occur as a result of insufficient insulin.
Hyperglycemia is less often the result of infectious and endocrine diseases (acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome). There is a high risk of developing late complications, especially in the cardiovascular system.
Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with dysfunction and malfunction of various organs - eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
Proper nutrition for diabetes
In the prevention of diabetes, diet is a very important part of therapy. It is necessary to maintain the appropriate level of glucose and lipids in the blood and optimal blood pressure. A well-chosen diet reduces the risk of developing complications of diabetes and minimizes the risk of developing vascular diseases. An appropriate diet for diabetes plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of chronic complications of diabetes. Including microvascular complications, retinopathy, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy and others.
Eating diabetes mellitus is one of the main factors affecting diabetes outcomes.
Sugar is necessary for life, but in this case it is better to remove the bowl with sugar! In diabetes, the metabolism of mainly carbohydrates is disturbed. People diagnosed with diabetes should limit their intake of sugar or carbohydrates.
Sugar:
- monosaccharides - glucose and fructose are found in fruits and honey;
- sucrose disaccharide is sugar from a sugar container;
- polysaccharides - flour products, cakes, cookies and bread, potatoes, bananas, noodles, dumplings, pasta, pancakes and more.
Carbohydrates for diabetes
Carbohydrates are part of our diet. Their consumption should cover 55-60% of total demand. Much depends on the shape and structure of the origin of the carbohydrate. Carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract are digested and broken down into simple sugars - mainly glucose.
Keep in mind that excess carbohydrates cause continuous stimulation of beta cells in the pancreas to produce and secrete insulin.
As our sugar rises, our pancreas secretes insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to enter cells. Simple sugar, like glucose, is quickly transported to the cells in about an hour.
Unfortunately, insulin is a hormone that lasts for several hours and does not like to be "out of work". Thus, elevated insulin levels cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels and carbohydrate starvation.
The hungry person opens the fridge and starts eating to satisfy the feeling of that hunger. The adrenal glands receive information: fluctuations in blood glucose. All of these reactions are a signal to the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline. This creates a vicious circle that leads to stress, depression and autonomic neurosis (neurasthenia).
It is therefore advisable to reduce carbohydrate intake to a minimum. In such a situation, there is no fluctuation in blood glucose levels and excessive production of the hormones insulin and adrenaline.
Glucose passes through the walls of the digestive tract, and with the blood enters various organs, where it is converted and becomes a source of energy. In the absence of sufficient exercise, the need for energy decreases, glucose is stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver.
When it is excess, glycogen is converted to fat, which leads to fatty liver as well as further accumulation of excess body fat. The metabolic process of glucose is controlled by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas.
Carbohydrates as the main energy material can enter the cell only with the help of insulin which distributes simple sugar in the body. However, insulin deficiency, for example, causes an increasing rise in blood sugar levels, accompanied by severe cellular metabolism. General insulin deficiency leads to diabetes in children and young people - type I diabetes
Proteins in diabetes mellitus
Proteins should cover 10-15% of energy needs. A larger amount is needed for children during the growth period, for pregnant women. The most valuable - animal proteins are found in lean meat, cottage cheese, eggs and sour milk.
Since our body can produce 56 g of sugar per 100 g of protein, it is also important to limit protein intake. In order not to harm the body, you need to eat high-quality protein (egg yolks, offal). Sources of vegetable proteins are - soy, legumes, dark bread made from wholemeal flour.
Diet for diabetes mellitus does and must not
In the diet for diabetes mellitus, in the first phase of treatment should be present foods such as egg yolk, butter, sour cream, milk and unsweetened vegetables.
During this time you should significantly reduce or eliminate from the diet: egg whites, lean meat, fish, poultry and nuts.
People with diabetes should not eat meals or protein-rich foods in the evening. At night the body cannot use it. Because the pancreas does not release enough insulin, blood glucose levels rise in the morning. In this case, a dinner consisting mainly of carbohydrates and fats is recommended.
Fats contain the most energy. They can cover only 30% of daily energy consumption. They contribute excessively to the development of obesity.
Spices such as cinnamon, garlic, cloves, turmeric and bay leaf lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.
Can diabetics eat fruits and vegetables? Yes, because they are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Fresh vegetables, including broccoli, are ideal for diabetics as an excellent source of chromium. Onions that can act on the release of insulin. Potatoes on the skin (boiled potatoes raise blood sugar too quickly), asparagus, raw carrots, fresh cucumber, sauerkraut, tea from the leaves and stems of elderberry and garlic.
Vegetables you can eat without significant restrictions:
- tomato;
- fresh and pickles;
- raw and sauerkraut;
- chicory;
- keleraba;
- radish;
- paprika;
- lettuce
- mushrooms;
- zucchini.
An excellent anti-diabetic remedy - fresh blueberry leaves, which are harvested before the fruit ripens. Blueberries can prevent diabetic retinopathy - studies have shown significant improvements in vision in people who suffer from eye diseases during diabetes. This disease leads to changes in the fundus, which significantly impedes blood flow to the eye.
Diabetics who are overweight (BMI over 25) are advised to limit calorie intake to reduce weight.
Food Glycemic Index
Blood glucose is affected not only by the amount of carbohydrates, but also by their type. It is therefore necessary to control the amount and quality of carbohydrates in the diet, but it is also desirable to calculate the glycemic index of the product.
Low GI foods are slow to digest and absorb, do not raise blood glucose quickly, and do not stimulate insulin secretion. A low GI diet reduces the risk of developing insulin-dependent diabetes.
The higher the GI value of food, the higher the blood glucose level after consuming that food. Foods with a high GI increase like blood glucose. Slow absorption and gradual increase and decrease in blood sugar after eating low GI foods helps control blood sugar in diabetics. It is best to eat foods that have a GI less than 60.
GI foods are significantly lower when consumed in their natural form, i. e. raw and unprocessed.
Diabetics are also advised to abstain from alcohol.