Diabetes is a growing health problem in America today where almost 30,000,000 people have the disease, some of them not knowing that they have it. Almost all people with diabetes face the same problems in dealing with their condition, to avoid further complications they must follow a diet that minimizes the build up of sugars in the bloodstream that arrive there as a result of the types of food they consume.
It is vitally important that diabetes patients follow an appropriate diabetic menu. With a healthy diet in place, patients can keep this health condition in check and live relatively normal lives. Making good decisions about what goes into your body will help you avoid the complications that typically accompany diabetes.
There are several forms of diabetes, the most common of which are classified as type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes, of which the latter form comprises about 90% of the diabetic population. In type-1 diabetes, the body does not produce sufficient levels of insulin. As a result, patients must give themselves daily injections to compensate for the imbalance. Type-2 diabetes patients also produce insufficient insulin. However, in type-2 patients, the body eventually stops responding to insulin altogether, resulting in additional complications and additional treatments. In both cases, following a diabetic menu greatly helps improve health.
A regular diabetic menu provides to wide range of food items from which to choose but some foods may need to be restricted in portion size. Typically, foods listed on a diabetic menu include meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, yogurts, and other dairy products. Ideal fish items are salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines, and lake trout. It is important to understand that carbohydrates, one of the essential nutrients, is the major source of sugar in the bloodstream and while sugar is an important source of energy for the cells of the body, it can occur or in some foods in the amounts that the diabetic body cannot tolerate. Vegetables are good sources of low content carbohydrates.
Fruits are good for the diabetic menu and they also provide vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Low carbohydrate fruits include rhubarb at a 1 cup serving, grapefruit and cantaloupe at cup servings, and watermelon at a cup serving. For snacks between meals, half an apple, pear, or banana will usually be sufficient, perhaps added to a non-carbohydrate food. Nuts make good snack food choices too.
If you have problem in eating too much, prepare a list of necessary diabetic friendly foods before setting out on a shopping trip and try not to add to them as you move around the store, tempting as some of the food displays might be. The amount of food consumed does play a part in diabetes management.
Non-caloric sweeteners are an excellent way to satisfy that sweet tooth without raising blood sugar levels. These include Sweet 'n Low, Necta Sweet, and Splenda. However, the safest and healthiest sweeteners for your diabetic menu are stevia, agave nectar, and natural sweeteners. Stevia is derived from an herb and has been deemed safe by the FDA. You can readily find it in most grocery stores. Agave nectar is derived from the agave plant and is much more concentrated than sugar. However, it does contain some carbohydrates so it should be used with caution. You may also use natural flavoring in your diabetic menu to add a little something extra to food or drink. Vanilla or almond extract, cinnamon, lemon, and lime are all safe for consumption.
In conclusion
Dire consequences are almost certain to be the result of a neglected diabetic condition. The complications that develop from diabetes speak for themselves: cardiovascular disease, lower limb amputation, blindness, kidney disease, the leading cause of all of which is diabetes. Diet is the first line of treatment for controlling high blood sugars and a well-designed diabetic menu tailored to the tastes and preferences of the individual should be the cornerstone of treatment for the newly diagnosed diabetic.
It is vitally important that diabetes patients follow an appropriate diabetic menu. With a healthy diet in place, patients can keep this health condition in check and live relatively normal lives. Making good decisions about what goes into your body will help you avoid the complications that typically accompany diabetes.
There are several forms of diabetes, the most common of which are classified as type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes, of which the latter form comprises about 90% of the diabetic population. In type-1 diabetes, the body does not produce sufficient levels of insulin. As a result, patients must give themselves daily injections to compensate for the imbalance. Type-2 diabetes patients also produce insufficient insulin. However, in type-2 patients, the body eventually stops responding to insulin altogether, resulting in additional complications and additional treatments. In both cases, following a diabetic menu greatly helps improve health.
A regular diabetic menu provides to wide range of food items from which to choose but some foods may need to be restricted in portion size. Typically, foods listed on a diabetic menu include meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, yogurts, and other dairy products. Ideal fish items are salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines, and lake trout. It is important to understand that carbohydrates, one of the essential nutrients, is the major source of sugar in the bloodstream and while sugar is an important source of energy for the cells of the body, it can occur or in some foods in the amounts that the diabetic body cannot tolerate. Vegetables are good sources of low content carbohydrates.
Fruits are good for the diabetic menu and they also provide vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Low carbohydrate fruits include rhubarb at a 1 cup serving, grapefruit and cantaloupe at cup servings, and watermelon at a cup serving. For snacks between meals, half an apple, pear, or banana will usually be sufficient, perhaps added to a non-carbohydrate food. Nuts make good snack food choices too.
If you have problem in eating too much, prepare a list of necessary diabetic friendly foods before setting out on a shopping trip and try not to add to them as you move around the store, tempting as some of the food displays might be. The amount of food consumed does play a part in diabetes management.
Non-caloric sweeteners are an excellent way to satisfy that sweet tooth without raising blood sugar levels. These include Sweet 'n Low, Necta Sweet, and Splenda. However, the safest and healthiest sweeteners for your diabetic menu are stevia, agave nectar, and natural sweeteners. Stevia is derived from an herb and has been deemed safe by the FDA. You can readily find it in most grocery stores. Agave nectar is derived from the agave plant and is much more concentrated than sugar. However, it does contain some carbohydrates so it should be used with caution. You may also use natural flavoring in your diabetic menu to add a little something extra to food or drink. Vanilla or almond extract, cinnamon, lemon, and lime are all safe for consumption.
In conclusion
Dire consequences are almost certain to be the result of a neglected diabetic condition. The complications that develop from diabetes speak for themselves: cardiovascular disease, lower limb amputation, blindness, kidney disease, the leading cause of all of which is diabetes. Diet is the first line of treatment for controlling high blood sugars and a well-designed diabetic menu tailored to the tastes and preferences of the individual should be the cornerstone of treatment for the newly diagnosed diabetic.
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For additional diabetes information, check out Diabetic Menu and also Diabetic Menu - Serious Challenge.. Check here for free reprint license: The Diabetic Menu, First Line of Treatment in Diabetes.
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