There is no well-defined extent of diabetes that can be expressed numerically. Usually, the course of the disease is divided into mild, moderate and severe. But there are two types of this disease - the first (insulin-dependent) and the second (insulin-independent).
Adherence to the rules of sound nutrition is especially important for these patients, as dietary correction is the main treatment in this case.
Why go on a diet?
In type 2 diabetes, tissue sensitivity to insulin is impaired and insulin resistance develops. Although this hormone is produced in sufficient quantities, glucose cannot be absorbed and entered into cells in the right amount, which leads to elevated glucose levels in the blood. As a result, patients develop complications of the disease affecting nerve fibers, blood vessels, tissues of the lower extremities, retina of the eye, and more.
Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or even obese. Because of their slow metabolism, their weight loss process is not as fast as healthy people, but it is very necessary for them to lose weight. Weight normalization is one of the conditions of good health and maintaining blood sugar at target levels.
What can diabetics eat to normalize tissue sensitivity to insulin and lower blood sugar? The patient's daily menu should be calorie-reduced and consist primarily of slow rather than fast carbohydrates. Often, doctors recommend sticking to the No. 9 diet. During the weight loss phase, the fat content in the dishes should be reduced (preferably plant-based fats). Getting enough protein is important for people with diabetes because it is a building material that helps gradually replace fat tissue with muscle fibers.
Proper nutrition can improve tissue sensitivity to insulin and normalize the regulation of blood sugar levels.
The main goals of the type 2 diabetes diet:
- weight loss and body fat loss;
- normalization of blood sugar levels;
- maintain blood pressure within an acceptable range;
- lower cholesterol levels in the blood;
- Prevent serious complications of the disease.
A diet for type 2 diabetes is not a temporary measure, but a system that must be followed continuously. This is the only way to keep your blood sugar at normal levels and keep your body healthy in the long term. In most cases, simply switching to proper nutrition is enough to control diabetes. But even if doctors advise patients to take hypoglycemic drugs, it is by no means canceling the diet. Without nutritional control, no medical treatment (even insulin injections) will bring lasting results.
Healthy whole foods help maintain normal blood sugar levels and control blood pressure.
food preparation method
In type 2 diabetes, patients want to prepare food in a gentle way. The best types of cooking are cooking processes such as steaming, boiling and baking. People with diabetes should only eat fried foods occasionally, preferably in a little vegetable oil, or even better, on a baking sheet with a non-stick coating. With these cooking methods, you can maximize the retention of vitamins and nutrients. In finished form, these dishes do not tax the pancreas and other organs of the digestive tract.
You can also simmer with your own juices while choosing only low-calorie and low-fat foods. Store-bought sauces, marinades, and large amounts of salt should not be added to food. To improve the taste, it is best to use the allowed seasonings: vegetables, lemon juice, garlic, pepper and dried herbs.
Meat
Meat is a very important source of protein for people with diabetes because it contains essential amino acids that the body cannot produce. But choosing it, you need to know some rules so as not to accidentally damage your health. First, the meat must be edible. For those who are sick, chicken, turkey, rabbit, and lean veal are the best. Second, it must be very fresh and not contain a lot of veins and muscle membranes, because they are digested for a long time, which can create a heavy feeling and slow down the stomach.
The amount of meat in the diet should be limited, but at the same time, the daily dose should provide a person with an adequate amount of protein. The attending physician selects the protein, fat, and carbohydrate profiles individually for each patient. It depends on many factors - body weight, body mass index, age, anatomical characteristics and the presence of concomitant diseases. Correctly chosen ratios of calories and nutrients ensure a proper supply of energy, vitamins and minerals.
Contraindicated meats for diabetics:
- Goose;
- duck;
- pork;
- mutton;
- Fatty beef.
Patients should not eat bacon, bacon, sausage, and thick broth. Poultry can be used to make soup, but the water must be changed after the first boil. You can't make soup with bone broth because it's hard to digest and puts extra strain on the pancreas and liver. During cooking, the skin should always be removed from poultry so that excess fat does not get into the dish. It's best to prioritize fish fillets and white meat as they have the least connective tissue and streaks of fat.
Want to replace animal fats with vegetable fats as much as possible. Olive, corn, and flaxseed oils are thought to be the most beneficial for people with diabetes.
a fish
Fish must be present in a diabetic's diet at least once a week. It is a source of healthy protein, fats and amino acids. Eating fish products helps improve the condition of bones and muscles and also helps prevent cardiovascular disease. According to dietary rules, the most useful fish for diabetics is lean fish, which can be cooked or steamed in the oven.
Diabetic patients can eat tilapia, cod, cod, tuna, cod. It is also recommended that you regularly include red fish (trout, salmon, salmon) in your diet as it is rich in omega acids. These bioactive substances protect the body from cardiovascular disease and help reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol.
Patients should not eat smoked and salted fish as it can cause problems with the pancreas and trigger the development of edema and high blood pressure. Because type 2 diabetes is more common in middle-aged and older adults, problems with high blood pressure are associated with many of them. Eating very salty foods, including red fish, can cause stress surges and worsen the condition of the heart and blood vessels.
When cooking fish, it is best to add a pinch of salt to it and replace it with other spices and seasonings. It is best to bake without added oil, as the product itself already contains a certain amount of healthy fats. In order to keep the fillets from drying out, they can be cooked in a special plastic cover in the oven. Fish cooked this way has more moisture and a softer texture.
Fatty white fish (such as catfish, herring, catfish, and mackerel) should be avoided by people with diabetes. Although the taste is pleasant, unfortunately, these products can cause weight gain and cause pancreatic problems. Low-fat fish and seafood are a healthy natural source of vitamins and minerals that are perfectly absorbed by the body.
It is useful for diabetics to eat boiled seafood. Shrimp, squid, and octopus contain high amounts of protein, vitamins, and phosphorus.
vegetable
Type 2 diabetes' diets are dominated by plant foods, so vegetables in any form should be an important part of a patient's diet. They contain very little sugar while being high in fiber, vitamins, and other valuable chemicals. The most useful vegetables for diabetes are green and red. This is because they contain high amounts of antioxidants, which prevent the formation of harmful free radicals. Eating more tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and green onions can boost the body's immunity and improve digestion.
The following vegetables are also useful for patients:
- cauliflower;
- Jerusalem artichoke;
- pumpkin;
- onions and green onions;
- broccoli;
- Radish;
- Zucchini and eggplant.
Beets are also great for diabetics because they contain amino acids, enzymes, and slow carbohydrates. This vegetable has absolutely no fat, so it is low in calories. Beetroot has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, boosts immunity and strengthens blood vessel walls. Another important property of beets for diabetics is the smooth regulation of bowel movements, which helps avoid constipation and a heavy stomach.
A balanced diet for type 2 diabetes can even include potatoes in the diet, but this vegetable shouldn't be essential when choosing and preparing meals. It is high in starch and high in calories (compared to other vegetables), so it should be strictly limited.
In order for vegetables to benefit only the body, they must be properly prepared. If vegetables can be eaten raw and diabetics do not have digestive problems, it is best to use them in this form, as this maximizes the retention of useful elements, vitamins, and minerals. But if the patient has gastrointestinal problems (such as inflammatory disease), all vegetables must undergo an initial heat treatment.
Sauteing or stewing vegetables with lots of butter and vegetable oil is highly undesirable because they absorb fat, and the benefits of such dishes far outweigh the disadvantages. Fat and fried foods not only disrupt the functional activity of the pancreas, but often lead to a set of extra pounds.
Vegetables cooked in excess oil are high in calories and can raise blood cholesterol levels.
fruit
Some patients, after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, try to eliminate all fruit from their diets, leaving only sour, green apples, and sometimes pears. But it's not necessary, as most fruits have a low glycemic index and contain few carbohydrates and calories. All fruits and berries that are low in the glycemic index are useful for people with diabetes because they contain high amounts of vitamins, organic acids, pigments, and minerals.
- Apple;
- pear;
- tangerinr;
- tangerinr;
- Grapefruit;
- apricots;
- Plum;
- black currant;
- Cherry;
- cranberry;
- blueberry.
Fruits contain carbohydrates, so their content in the diet should be limited. It is recommended to eat in the morning (up to 16: 00) to avoid the conversion of sugars into body fat. It is also best not to eat fruit on an empty stomach before bed and in the morning, as this can lead to irritation of the stomach lining and a set of extra pounds.
The forbidden fruits of type 2 diabetes are melons, watermelons and figs because of their high glycemic index and high sugar content. For the same reason, patients should not eat dried fruits, such as dates and dried figs.
Peaches and bananas may be present in the diet of people with diabetes, but it is recommended to consume them no more than once or twice a week. For everyday use, it's best to prioritize plums, apples, and citrus fruits, as they help improve digestion and contain a lot of crude fiber. They contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the well-coordinated and well-rounded work of the entire organism.
Fruit is a healthy and delicious food that can help you overcome fasting sweet cravings. Patients who ate fruit regularly found it easier to follow their diet and daily routine.
Cereals and Pasta
What can patients eat from grains and pasta? There are many permitted products on this list from which you can cook delicious and healthy dishes. Grains and pasta should be a source of slow carbohydrates that patients need for brain function and energy. Doctor-recommended products include:
- Buckwheat;
- oats that require cooking (not instant cereals);
- bulgur;
- pea;
- durum wheat pasta;
- grains of wheat;
- brown rice;
- Millet.
White rice, semolina and instant oatmeal are extremely unsuitable for people with diabetes. These products are rich in carbohydrates, calories and substances of little biological value. Overall, these grains simply saturate the body and satisfy hunger. Excessive consumption of these grains can lead to weight gain and digestive problems.
But even allowed grains need to be cooked and eaten properly. It is best to cook porridge with water without adding fat. It is best to eat them at breakfast, as carbohydrates are supposed to provide the patient with energy throughout the day. These simple tips should always be remembered, as properly selected and cooked grains will only provide benefits and will not harm human health.
For type 2 diabetes, you need to eat in portions. It is recommended to divide your daily diet into 5-6 meals.
What should be given up?
People with type 2 diabetes should completely exclude such dishes and foods from their diet:
- sugar and products containing it;
- fatty dishes cooked with lots of vegetables or butter;
- bacon;
- Semi-finished products and fast food;
- marinade;
- salty hard cheese;
- Baked products made from high-quality flour.
You can't make exceptions to the rules and occasionally use something from the banned list. With type 2 diabetes, the patient does not receive insulin injections and the only chance to keep blood sugar at normal levels is to eat right while following other advice from the attending physician.
Sample menu of the day
It's best to plan a day's menu ahead of time, calculating its calorie content and the ratio of fat, protein and carbohydrates in the dish. Table 1 shows the calorie content and chemical composition of some foods allowed on the 9th diet. Guided by this data, the advice of the attending physician and the ingredients that are always stated on the product packaging, you can easily create a diet with optimal energy values.
An example menu for the day might look like this:
- Breakfast - oatmeal, a slice of low-fat cheese, whole-wheat bread without yeast;
- Snacks - nuts or apples;
- Lunch - vegetable soup, boiled chicken breast or turkey, buckwheat porridge, berry juice;
- Afternoon snack - fruit and a cup of rosehip soup are allowed;
- Dinner – steamed fish with vegetables or low-fat cheese, a cup of sugar-free preserves;
- Bedtime Snack - 200ml Low Fat Kefir.
Diets for people with type 2 diabetes can be truly varied and delicious. Healthy fruits and nuts make up for sweets, while fatty meats are replaced by dietary choices. One of the great things about this menu is that it can be cooked for the whole family. Limiting animal fats and sugars works even in healthy people, and in diabetics it is a prerequisite for years of normal health.