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.

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

Type of diabetes

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

In addition, there are other types of diabetes:

• potential (prediabetes) condition in which blood sugar is at the upper limit of normal, 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, symptoms similar to diabetes arise - thirst, frequent urination, weakness;
• pregnancy is a temporary condition that develops during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood glucose 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 closer to type 1 diabetes (impairment of the immune system);
• a labile form of diabetes mellitus, in which continuous therapy with insulin does not eliminate unexplained spikes in blood glucose;
• kidney disease where the kidneys stop filtering fluid. As a result, symptoms similar to diabetes arise: frequent urge to urinate and strong thirst;
• postoperative conditions that develop after pancreatic surgery;
• diseases of the pancreas, which occur against the background of chronic pathology of the pancreas (for example, chronic pancreatitis);
• extrapancreatic disease, which occurs against the background of chronic pathology, but can gradually cause pancreatic disorders.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

With this type of disease, the body's own immunity destroys the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin. As a result, insulin does not enter the blood and does not transport glucose into the cells. Because of this, it remains in the ship and gradually destroys it.

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

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually appear acutely.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

• great 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. The person may fall into a coma.

People with type 1 diabetes take insulin for life.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

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.

Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus 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 arms and legs.

Risk of diabetes

Types of diets for diabetes

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

No carb diet

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for cells. They come in three types: sugar, starch and fiber. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate, 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 breads and pasta.

Glucose is the carbohydrate that causes the main disorder in diabetes mellitus. Because of this, proponents of a no-carbohydrate diet believe that eliminating glucose, and at the same time all carbohydrates from the diet, will help stop this disease. This is wrong.

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

Carbohydrates are a source of energy, so you cannot completely exclude them from your diet, and besides, it is quite difficult, because they are found in almost all foods.

In the absence of carbohydrates, the body turns to get energy from fat and protein, the proportion of which, when following such a diet, is usually 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 and vegetables and legumes contain many nutrients and minerals, the lack of which has a negative impact on health and can worsen diabetes.

High protein diet

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

There is no consensus that people with diabetes should eat more protein. However, its advantages increase 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, there is a high probability of vitamin and mineral deficiency due to the fact that fruits and vegetables are excluded from the diet.

Buckwheat diet

Buckwheat diet is a monoproduct 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.

Cereals for the buckwheat diet are prepared in a special way: they are not boiled, but poured with boiling water and left for 4-6 hours

The main disadvantage of such a diet is the limited range of foods. Because of this, a person may lack beneficial vitamins and minerals. In addition, following a buckwheat diet is psychologically difficult: it seems that nothing is allowed. So 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 those with this diagnosis to calculate the amount of carbohydrates they eat every day and take into account the glycemic index of food. In addition, they should adhere to the principle, or method, of a healthy plate.

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

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

You can calculate the amount of carbohydrates needed each day with your nutritionist or doctor. After converting the carbohydrates you eat into bread units, your doctor will help you determine how much insulin is needed to absorb glucose. Over time, one will learn to calculate this on one's own.

Correspondence table of products containing carbohydrates to bread units

product	1 XE (about 15 g of carbohydrates)
white bread	1 piece
Borodino bread	1 piece
Buckwheat	1 tablespoon (dry)
oats	1 tablespoon (dry)
Potatoes	1 medium sweet potato
Orange	1 piece
Strawberry	10 pieces
Apple	1 piece
milk	1 glass
Ice cream is made from milk	⅔ serving (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 shown 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 full longer. High GI foods are digested more quickly and also greatly increase blood sugar levels.

All products containing carbohydrates are divided into three groups:

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

It is useful for someone with diabetes to know the glycemic index of food. This way he will be able to include low GI foods in his diet and will not allow blood glucose spikes. However, other factors need to be taken into account.

Research shows that the amount of carbohydrates eaten, rather than the index, has a greater effect on blood glucose levels. In short, you can also eat apples in excess to cause hyperglycemia. Therefore, for most people with diabetes, the best tool for monitoring blood glucose levels is carbohydrate counting.

The Healthy Plate Method

The Healthy Plate Method divides foods into five main groups: fruits and vegetables, slow-release carbohydrates, dairy, protein and fat. You can combine these groups using regular plates.

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

Healthy Plate Method Nutrition Principles

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, boiled, stewed, canned. Dishes should take up half the plate or a little less.
• Step 3.Divide the remaining plate in half. We put slow carbohydrates in the first half - cereal products, jacket potatoes, whole grain bread or pasta. We fill the remaining quarter with protein sources - lentils, beans, nuts, fish, eggs, lean meat.

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

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

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

Diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus

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

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

In addition, this diet is rich in fiber, the use of which helps prevent blood sugar spikes and promotes weight loss.

Fiber is digested more slowly, which means it keeps you full for a long time.

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 portion of protein in the plate should fit in the palm of your hand.

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

Additionally, you can add some healthy fats (for example, a few slices of avocado) or dress the salad with a tablespoon of unrefined olive oil.

Diet for diabetes during pregnancy

Food directly affects blood sugar levels, so a healthy, balanced diet helps manage gestational and gestational diabetes.

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

DASH diet (nutritional approach to stop hypertension)

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

Thus, 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);
• fruits;
• vegetables;
• whole grains;
• low-fat dairy products;
• lean meat and fish;
• legumes 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);
• sweets, sugary juices and sugar-sweetened 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 consists of vegetables, fruits, sources of protein, 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.

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

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).

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 amount in the diet is limited. For example, you should eat red meat and processed meat less often—no more than twice a week. Dairy products are replaced with low-fat and fermented ones, such as Greek yogurt or low-fat cheese.

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

The Healthy Plate Method

Also, like other types of diabetes, doctors recommend that women with gestational diabetes use the healthy plate method.

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

Using this group you can assemble your own 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 low-fat protein sources (fish, white meat, dairy products), the rest with healthy. vegetable fat.

In the store you can buy dishes with dividers so as not to put a healthy plate with the eyes

Often such plates are sold in the children's department

An example of a diet for diabetes during pregnancy using the healthy plate method

Breakfast:

• 1 apple,
• a handful of lettuce leaves with a tablespoon of olive oil, ½ cucumber,
• 2 slices of whole grain bread,
• 1 boiled egg,
• unsweetened yogurt.

Dinner:

• some 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 slices of cheese.

Diet for diabetes in children

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

Typically, a regular 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 compote with tea or water without sugar.

Depending on what the child eats, he or his parents determine the dose of insulin needed to be given. As a rule, the menu in the canteen is prepared a week in advance, so you can find out in advance what the child will eat.

Another important condition is to ensure that children have snacks several times a day. This will help prevent a sudden drop in blood glucose - hypoglycemia, which can cause him to faint.

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 sugar cubes, or taking glucose tablets. Children or parents should always have all of these: in a briefcase or bag.

In addition, it is important to explain to the teacher or guardian that the child should always have access to snacks. Preferably at the same time. And before physical education lessons, he definitely needs to measure his blood sugar and eat something with carbohydrates. This will help prevent hypoglycemia because exercise causes the body to burn glucose faster.

Dessert recipes for diabetics

People with diabetes often crave forbidden sweets, making it difficult for them to adhere to a healthy diet. However, there are many desserts that contain a large amount of protein and fiber and do not lead to a spike in blood sugar.

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

Panna cotta

One dessert serving 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 because it will take time to harden after cooking (at least 3 hours).

ingredients:

• 1. 5 tbsp. l. dried gelatin
• 60 ml cold water
• 60 ml of hot water
• 2 cups heavy cream (over 30%)
• 2 teaspoons. vanillin
• stevia to taste (about 4 g powder)
• a little bit of salt

Preparation:

1. Pour the gelatin into a bowl of cold water and let it sit for a few minutes. Pour hot water and stir well 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.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

One dessert serving 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.

ingredients:

• 200 g dark chocolate (2 standard bars)
• 200 g unsweetened peanut butter
• 4 teaspoons. stevia powder
• ½ tsp. vanillin
• a little bit of salt

Preparation:

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

Pumpkin cheesecake mousse

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

Cooking time: 30 minutes.

ingredients:

• 150 g pumpkin puree
• 150 g low-fat cottage cheese or ricotta
• 1. 5 tbsp. l. honey or maple syrup
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp. vanillin
• a little bit of salt
• 50 g Greek yogurt
• Almond flakes for garnish

Preparation:

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

Apple Cinnamon Popcorn

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

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon. l. olive oil
• 2 tablespoons. l. dry popcorn
• ¾ tsp. cinnamon
• 100 g dried apples

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat.
2. Add 1-2 popcorns to the pan. Once it pops, you can pour in the remaining popcorn.
3. Cover the pan with a lid and wait until all the seeds open. Shake the pan occasionally.Be careful!Do not open the lid until the popcorn has cooled because hot oil or hot seeds can burn your skin.
4. Sprinkle the finished popcorn with cinnamon and apple slices.

Gogol-mogol

One dessert serving 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.

ingredients:

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

Preparation:

1. Put all the ingredients except the nutmeg into a blender and grind until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a glass and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Ready eggnog can be decorated with cinnamon sticks.