If you are diagnosed with diabetes, everything you eat is important. If you have type 1 diabetes, means good control balance, what you eat, the right amount of insulin to help with, to use the glucose in the blood. A dietitian or certified diabetes educator (CDE) can help you find out how much insulin you need.
If you have type 2 diabetes, oral medications help, that you use the insulin they produce already more effective levels, to keep blood glucose in a normal range,. Both types of diabetes need a plan of food, exercise, weight control and medication.
Sometimes it's hard to know where to start. Here are some basics that can help you on your way.
Try to maintain a normal body weight. Many doctors use the body mass index (BMI) as a guide for your ideal weight. Your BMI is calculated from your weight and height and puts more focus on body fat instead of just weight. The formula for those who like mathematics, is "Body mass index (= mass, in kilograms) divided by height (in meters) squared". For those of us prefer without math life would, many free BMI calculator are available online. One has the national heart lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is easy to use.
A BMI of 20-25 is considered normal. 26-29.9 is overweight, 30-39, 9 obese and 40 or more, morbidly obese.
American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends, keep your carbohydrates to 55% to 65% of your daily intake. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) provides advice between 55% up to 60%. Both organizations confirm that although carbohydrates directly blood glucose arise, not the enemy. They contain many nutrients your body needs. Carbohydrates are your body consumed by the reduction in glucose.
In diabetes, the body can use glucose for energy as it produces takes insulin to move glucose into the cells. Type 1 diabetes, no insulin is produced from the body. That's why people with diabetes need insulin. If they could type 2, someone produce their own insulin, but it is not effective enough to move glucose from the blood into the cells. Oral medications help their insulin, which work better.
According to the ADA fat should make 25% to 30% of your diet and protein intake should be about 11% to 18%. Less emphasis on fatty animal protein, and more on lean protein such as protein levels white meat chicken, Turkey and soy help keep cholesterol down.
Fiber is an important part of the food for diabetes. Even if fiber is a carbohydrate it not blood sugar levels increase, and increased fiber intake has been shown to actually reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
The recommended amount of fiber varies, but all sources agree that 25 grams of the minimal grams of fiber per day. A comprehensive analysis of medical research, the American College of nutrition published in the journal recommends a range of 25 to 50 grams per day.
Many people eat enough fiber. Increase your consumption of high-fiber foods like whole wheat bread, cereals and pasta, oats and other whole grains, brown rice, lentils and beans, fruit, vegetables and nuts attain your goal you. If you increase your fiber intake are, keep in mind, at least 8 glasses of water during the day, drink to keep things moving.
The Glycemic Index rates carbohydrates of how much to increase blood glucose. Carbohydrates such as sweets, sugar, cakes and cookies a high glycemic index, whole grains have a lower glycemic index.
The glycemic index can help when you try to figure out what carbohydrates are the best for you. Since all carbohydrates do not affect blood sugar levels help to more effectively plan your meals you the same way, to know, what carbohydrates have a lower glycemic index.You can of your nutritionist, from books, or free from online sources such as the University of Sydney, Glycemic Index charts Web page, "Home of the Glycemic Index" sponsored Australia. This site has a database, which shows the glycemic index for many food and provides information about using the glycemic index for the assessment of your carbohydrates.
Sources:
"NEJM study shows the fiber great benefits in type 2 diabetes." Joslin Diabetes Center. May of 2000. Joslin Diabetes Center. January 7, 2007.
"Carbohydrates and fiber recommendations for people with diabetes." American Diabetes Association (ADA). January 7, 2007.
