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 mellitus develops for various reasons. Some types of disease are caused by genetic predisposition, while others are related to lifestyle or environmental factors.

The disease causes serious damage to the body. A long-term excess of glucose (sugar) in the blood gradually destroys the walls of blood vessels and can cause kidney, heart and nerve cell death. But such complications can be avoided. The main thing is to follow the doctor's recommendations for treatment and adjust the diet.

Types of diabetes

Depending on the mechanism of pathology formation, there are two main types of diabetes mellitus: 1st and 2nd.

In addition, there are other types of diabetes:

• A potential (prediabetes) condition in which blood sugar is at the upper limit of the norm, but does not exceed it;
• Insipidus is a disease in which the body lacks antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or the kidneys lose sensitivity to it. As a result, diabetes-like symptoms appear - thirst, frequent urination, weakness;
• Gestational is a temporary condition that develops during pregnancy and is characterized by an increased level of glucose in the blood;
• 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 closer to type 1 diabetes (malfunction of the immune system);
• A labile form of diabetes, in which even constant insulin therapy does not eliminate the causeless increase in blood glucose;
• Kidney disease in which the kidneys stop filtering fluid. As a result, diabetes-like symptoms appear: frequent urination and a strong feeling of thirst;
• Postoperative condition that develops after pancreatic surgery;
• pancreatic disease, which appears against the background of chronic pancreatic pathologies (for example, chronic pancreatitis);
• An extra-pancreatic disease that develops against the background of chronic pathologies, but can gradually lead to the failure of the pancreas.

Diabetes type 1

In this type of disease, the body's own immunity destroys the cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin. As a result, insulin does not enter the blood and does not transport glucose into the cells. Due to this, it remains in the vessels and gradually destroys them.

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

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are usually acute.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

• severe thirst and hunger,
• weakness,
• frequent urination
• sudden weight loss
• blurred vision.

Without treatment, these symptoms are accompanied by signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (one of the complications of diabetes): thirst, weakness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty concentrating. A person may even fall into a coma.

People with type 1 diabetes take insulin for life.

Diabetes type 2

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

Being overweight is the main risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can develop unnoticed for a long time, so people do not always notice the first symptoms of the disease.

Possible symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

• frequent urination;
• strong thirst;
• hunger even after eating;
• tiredness
• blurred vision;
• wounds that heal slowly;
• darkening of the skin on the elbows and knees;
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet.

Risk of developing diabetes

Types of diet for diabetes

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

There is no carbohydrate diet

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for cells. They are of three types: sugar, starch and fiber. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate, including glucose. Natural sugar is found in fruits and vegetables, artificial (added) sugar is found in confectionery, sauces and preserves. 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 breads and pasta.

Glucose is the carbohydrate that causes diabetes. Because of this, supporters of a carbohydrate-free diet believe that the exclusion of glucose and at the same time all carbohydrates from the diet will help stop the disease. This is incorrect.

A healthy proportion of carbohydrates in the diet is 50/55%

Carbohydrates are a source of energy, so they should not be completely excluded from the diet, and besides, it is quite difficult, because they are found in almost all foods.

When there is a lack of carbohydrates, the body switches to obtaining energy from fats and proteins, the proportion of which in such a diet usually increases due to the consumption of red meat. And it's a risk factor for heart disease and colorectal cancer.

In addition, carbohydrate sources such as fruits and vegetables and legumes contain many nutrients and minerals, the deficiency of which adversely affects health and can worsen diabetes.

high protein diet

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

There is no consensus that diabetics need to eat more protein. However, its excess increases certain health risks.

Excess protein in the diet increases the load on the kidneys and stones may start forming in them. In addition, protein is mainly found in meat and dairy products, so in such a diet there is a high probability of vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to the fact that fruits and vegetables are excluded from the diet.

Buckwheat diet

Buckwheat diet is a mono-product diet with strict restrictions. The diet of such a diet consists of 70% buckwheat, to which other low-fat foods are gradually added: vegetables, dried fruits, white meat, fish.

Grains for buckwheat diet are specially prepared: they are not boiled, they are poured with boiling water and left for 4-6 hours.

The main disadvantage of such a diet is the limited range of consumed food. Due to this, a person may lack useful vitamins and minerals. In addition, following a buckwheat diet is psychologically difficult: it may seem that nothing is possible. So the risk of skipping high-calorie foods and overeating increases significantly.

Diet for type 1 diabetes

There is no special diet for people with type 1 diabetes, but people with this diagnosis should count the number of carbohydrates they eat every day and take into account the glycemic index of food. In addition, they must follow the principle of a healthy plate, or method.

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

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

You can calculate the required amount of carbohydrates together with a nutritionist or doctor. After you eat carbohydrates in units of bread, your doctor can help you determine the amount of insulin you will need to use the glucose. Over time, a person will learn to calculate it himself.

Table of correspondence of carbohydrate products with bread units

product	1 XE (about 15 g of carbohydrates)
white bread	1 slice
Borodino bread	1 piece
Buckwheat	1 tablespoon (dry)
Oatmeal	1 tablespoon (dry)
potatoes	1 medium tuber
orange	1 piece
Strawberry	10 pieces
Apple	1 piece
milk	1 glass
Ice cream made from milk	⅔ portion (without glass)

glycemic index

The glycemic index (GI) is a number that shows how the food you eat affects your blood glucose levels.

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

Low GI foods are thought to raise blood sugar levels slightly and break down more slowly, so you'll stay fuller for longer. High GI foods are absorbed more quickly and also significantly increase blood sugar levels.

All products containing carbohydrates are divided into three groups:

• Low GI (out of 55) skimmed milk, apples, peanuts;
• Medium GI (from 56 to 69) - spaghetti, buckwheat, ice cream;
• High GI (70 and above) - white bread, rice milk, white rice.

It is useful for a person with diabetes to know the glycemic index of food. In this way, he will be able to include low GI foods in his diet and will not allow blood glucose to spike. However, other factors must be considered.

Studies have shown that the amount of carbohydrates consumed, rather than their index, has a greater impact on blood glucose levels. Simply put, you can eat too many apples to the point of hyperglycemia. Therefore, the best way to monitor blood glucose levels for most people with diabetes is to count carbohydrates.

The healthy plate method

The healthy plate method divides food into five main groups: fruits and vegetables, slow-releasing carbohydrates, dairy products, proteins and fats. You can connect these groups using a regular plate.

Fruits and vegetables should make up a third or a half. Slow carbohydrates - a third or a little more. The remaining part is occupied by dairy products, a little more protein foods and a small part by fats.

The healthy plate method is the principle of nutrition

How to build 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. A portion should occupy half of the plate or a little less.
• Step 3.Divide the remaining plate in half. In the first half, we drink slow carbohydrates - cereal products, jacket potatoes, whole grain bread or pasta. We fill the remaining quarter with protein sources - lentils, beans, peas, fish, eggs, lean meat.

In addition, people with type 1 diabetes should follow important principles of healthy eating:

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

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

Diet for type 2 diabetes

Since carbohydrate-containing foods directly affect blood sugar levels, a balanced carbohydrate diet is one of the mainstays of type 2 diabetes prevention.

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

In addition, this diet is rich in fiber, the consumption of which helps to increase blood sugar and promotes weight loss.

Fiber is absorbed more slowly, which means that it provides a feeling of fullness for a long time.

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

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

The remaining quarter is complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads and cereals. Their portion should be the size of a fist.

Alternatively, you can add some healthy fat (such as a few slices of avocado) or toss lettuce with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.

Diet for gestational diabetes

Food directly affects blood sugar levels, so a healthy, balanced diet can help you manage gestational diabetes and pregnancy.

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

DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)

DASH, or Diet to Control Hypertension, was developed for people with high blood pressure. Over time, doctors and scientists found that such a diet helps other diseases, including gestational diabetes.

Thus, a study of 52 women with gestational diabetes showed 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
• vegetables;
• whole grain;
• low-fat dairy products;
• lean meat and fish;
• legumes and nuts;
• vegetable oils.

Limit consumption or exclude from the diet:

• foods containing saturated fat (red meat, whole milk, coconut and palm oil);
• Confectionery, sweetened juices and sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks, alcohol.

Mediterranean diet

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

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

One serving of fruit or vegetable is, for example, one medium-sized apple, half a cup of cucumber or carrot, or a cup of leafy vegetables.

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

During the Mediterranean diet, fish should be eaten twice a week.

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

Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. This diet is rich in fiber, which breaks down slowly, prevents blood sugar fluctuations and helps maintain a healthy weight.

The healthy plate method

In addition, as with other types of diabetes, doctors recommend that women with gestational diabetes follow the healthy plate method.

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

Using these groups, you can organize your healthy plate. Fill half the plate with vegetables, herbs and fruits, one third with slow carbohydrates (for example, cereals, whole grain pasta), one third with lean sources of protein (fish, white meat, dairy products), and the rest with healthy products. vegetable fats.

In stores, you can buy dishes with dividers so that you do not gather a healthy plate with your eyes

Often such plates are sold in the children's section

Examples of Gestational Diabetes Diets Using the Healthy Plate Method

Breakfast:

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

Dinner:

• part of fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, Korean carrots);
• a handful of brown rice;
• A piece of baked white fish;
• A handful of nuts.

Dinner:

• baked chicken breast
• boiled green beans
• Green salad with egg
• A few slices of cheese.

Diet for diabetes in children

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

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

Depending on what the child eats, he or his parents determine the required dose of insulin. As a rule, in canteens, the 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 the child eats several times a day. This will help prevent a sharp drop in blood glucose - hypoglycemia, which can cause fatigue.

Precursors of hypoglycemia - pale skin, excessive sweating, trembling hands, weakness

A mild attack of hypoglycemia can be quickly relieved by drinking sweetened juice, eating a few pieces of sugar or taking a glucose tablet. A child or a parent should always have all this at hand: in a briefcase or bag.

In addition, it is important to explain to the teacher or caregiver that the child must always have access to food. Preferably at the same time. Before the physical education class, one should definitely measure the blood sugar content and eat something with carbohydrates. This will help prevent an attack of hypoglycemia, because exercise causes the body to burn glucose faster.

Dessert recipes for diabetics

Diabetics often crave forbidden sweets, which makes it difficult for them to follow a healthy diet. However, there are many desserts that contain high amounts of protein and fiber and do not cause blood sugar spikes.

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

Panna cotta

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

Preparation time: 15 minutes.

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

Ingredients:

• 1, 5 s. K. L. dry gelatin
• 60 ml of cold water
• 60 ml of hot water
• 2 cups of heavy cream (more than 30%)
• 2 ch. K. Vanillin
• Stevia to taste (about 4 g powder)
• A pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Pour the gelatin into cold water and let it sit for a few minutes. Pour in the hot water and stir well until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
2. Add all other ingredients and mix until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into glasses and put it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

Ready panna cotta can be decorated with fresh berries.

Chocolate Peanut Butter

One serving of the dessert contains 76 calories, 7 g fat, 3 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates, 1 g total sugars and 0 g added sugars.

Preparation time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 200 g dark chocolate (2 standard bars)
• 200 g of sugar-free peanut butter
• 4 ch. K. Stevia powder
• ½ tsp. Vanillin
• A pinch of salt

Preparation:

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

Mousse Pumpkin Cheesecake

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

Preparation time: 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 150 g pumpkin puree
• 150 g low-fat cottage cheese or ricotta
• 1, 5 s. K. L. Honey or maple syrup
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp. Vanillin
• A pinch of salt
• 50 g of Greek yogurt
• Almond flakes for garnish

Preparation:

1. Mix pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until a homogeneous mass is obtained.
2. Cover the cup with the resulting mass with a lid or a protective film and put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Before serving, divide the mixture into glasses, garnish with yogurt and almond leaves.

Apple Cinnamon Popcorn

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

Preparation time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 s. K. L. olive oil
• 2 s. K. L. Dry popcorn kernels
• ¾ tsp. cinnamon
• 100 g of dried apples

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat.
2. Place 1-2 popcorn kernels in the pan. Once they pop, you can sprinkle the remaining popcorn.
3. Cover the pan with a lid and wait until all the grains open. Shake the pan from time to time.Be careful!Do not heat the lid until the popcorn has cooled, as the hot oil or hot kernels can burn your skin.
4. Add cinnamon and apple slices to the finished popcorn.

Gogol-Mogol

One serving of the dessert contains 155 calories, 9 g fat, 6 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates, 6 g total sugars and 0 g added sugars.

Preparation time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium-sized eggs
• 5, 5 cups of whole milk
• 0. 5 cups of heavy cream (more than 30%).
• Stevia to taste (about 4 g powder)
• A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Place all ingredients except nutmeg in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into glasses and sprinkle with nutmeg.

The finished egg can be decorated with a cinnamon stick.