There are no clearly defined degrees of diabetes mellitus that could be expressed in numerical indices. They usually distinguish between mild, moderate and severe stages of the disease. However, there are two types of this disease - the first type (insulin dependent) and the second type (insulin independent).
It is especially important for such patients to follow the rules of a rational diet, as in this case dietary correction is the main method of treatment.
Why diet?
In type 2 diabetes, the insulin sensitivity of the tissues is impaired and insulin resistance develops. Despite sufficient production of this hormone, glucose cannot be absorbed and does not enter the cells in the right amount, leading to an increase in blood levels. As a result, the patient develops complications of the disease that affect the nerve fibers, blood vessels, tissues of the lower extremities, retina of the eye, and so on.
Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or even obese. Due to the slow metabolism, they do not lose weight as fast as healthy people, but weight loss is extremely necessary. Normalization of body weight is one of the conditions for maintaining good health and targeting blood sugar levels.
What do you need to eat with diabetes to normalize tissue insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar? The patient’s daily menu should be reduced in calories and should usually contain slow, not fast carbohydrates. Generally, doctors recommend that you follow diet # 9. During the weight loss phase, the fat content of the food should be reduced (it is better to give preference to vegetable fats). It is important for a diabetic to get enough protein as it is a building block and contributes to the gradual replacement of adipose tissue with muscle fibers.
A rational diet improves tissue insulin sensitivity and normalizes blood glucose control.
The main goals of a diet for type 2 diabetes are:
- weight loss and reduction of body fat;
- normalization of blood sugar levels;
- keep blood pressure within acceptable limits;
- lowering blood cholesterol levels;
- prevention of serious complications of the disease.
The diet for type 2 diabetes is not a temporary measure but a system that must be followed at all times. This is the only way to keep your blood sugar levels normal and maintain good health for a long time. In most cases, it is enough to switch to just the right diet to keep your diabetes under control. But even if the doctor recommends that the patient take hypoglycemic tablets, this in no way eliminates the diet. Without dietary control, no medical method produces a lasting effect (not even insulin injections).
Healthy, natural foods help maintain normal blood sugar levels and regulate blood pressure.
Cooking methods
In type 2 diabetes, it is desirable for patients to prepare food in a gentle manner. The best cooking methods are culinary procedures such as steaming, cooking and baking. Fried foods should only be consumed occasionally by diabetics and should be fried in a small amount of vegetable oil or better yet on a non-stick coated grill pan. With these cooking methods, the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients is maintained. In its finished form, such foods do not burden the pancreas and other organs of the digestive system.
You can also simmer your own juice while choosing only low-calorie, low-fat foods. It is not desirable to add in-store sauces, marinades and large amounts of salt to foods. To improve the taste, it is better to use authorized spices: greens, lemon juice, garlic, pepper and dried aromatic herbs.
Meat
Meat is a very important source of protein for diabetics because it contains essential amino acids that the human body cannot produce. But when choosing this, you need to know certain rules so that you don’t accidentally harm your health. First, meat should be dietary. For sick people, chicken, turkey, rabbit and lean calf are best. Second, it should be perfectly fresh, not contain large numbers of blood vessels and muscle films, as these are digested for a long time and can cause heaviness, slowing down bowel function.
The amount of meat in the diet should be limited, however, the daily ration should provide a sufficient amount of protein for the person. The distribution of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is selected individually by the treating physician for each patient. It depends on many factors - weight, body mass index, age, anatomical features and the presence of concomitant diseases. Properly chosen calorie and nutrient ratios ensure the body’s normal supply of energy, vitamins and minerals.
Types of meat prohibited in diabetes:
- goose;
- duck;
- pork;
- mutton;
- fatty beef.
Patients should not consume bacon, smoked meats, sausages, and rich broths. Soups can be cooked from poultry, but the water must be changed after the first boiling. It is not possible to cook soup with bone juice because it is difficult to digest, it puts extra strain on the pancreas and liver. Poultry skins should always be removed during cooking to prevent excess fat from entering the container. It is always better to prefer fillets and white meats that contain minimal amounts of connective tissue and fatty streaks.
It is advisable to replace animal fats with maximum vegetable fats. Olive, corn and flaxseed oils are considered the most beneficial for diabetics.
A fish
Diabetics should include fish in their diet at least once a week. A source of healthy proteins, fats and amino acids. Consumption of fish products improves the condition of bones and muscles and contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. According to the rules of the diet for diabetics, the most useful fish is lean fish that is cooked or steamed in the oven.
Diabetics can consume tilapia, hake, pollock, tuna, cod. Red fish (trout, salmon, salmon) should also be included in our diet from time to time as it is rich in omega acids. These biologically active substances protect the body from the development of cardiovascular disease and help reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol.
Patients should not consume smoked and salted fish because it can cause pancreatic problems and cause edema and high blood pressure. Because type 2 diabetes usually develops in the middle-aged and elderly, many have high blood pressure problems. Consuming very salty foods (including red fish) can cause an increase in pressure and worsen the condition of the heart and blood vessels.
When cooking fish, it is better to add a minimal amount of salt, replacing it with other spices and condiments. It is desirable to fry without the addition of oil, as this product already contains a certain amount of healthy fat. To keep the fillet dry, it can be baked in a special plastic sleeve in the oven. The fish cooked in this way contains more moisture and melts.
Diabetics are prohibited from eating fatty white fish (such as pangasius, notothenia, herring, catfish, and mackerel). Despite their pleasant taste, these products can unfortunately cause the appearance of extra pounds and cause problems in the pancreas. Low-fat fish and seafood are healthy, natural sources of vitamins and minerals that the body absorbs perfectly.
It is beneficial for diabetics to consume cooked seafood. Shrimp, squid and octopus are high in protein, vitamins and phosphorus.
Vegetables
The diet for type 2 diabetes is based on the predominance of plant foods, so vegetables in any form should be an important part of the foods consumed by patients. They are very low in sugar but at the same time rich in fiber, vitamins and other valuable chemical elements. The most useful vegetables for diabetes are greens and reds. This is because they contain large amounts of antioxidants that prevent the formation of harmful free radicals. Consuming tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers and green onions can increase human immunity and improve digestion.
The following vegetables are also helpful for patients:
- cauliflower;
- Jerusalem artichokes;
- work;
- onions and blue onions;
- broccoli;
- radish;
- zucchini and eggplant.
Beets are also very beneficial for diabetics as they contain amino acids, enzymes and slow carbohydrates. This vegetable has no fat at all and is therefore low in calories. Beetroot foods have anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties, increase immunity and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Another important property of beets for diabetics is the smooth regulation of bowel movements, which helps to avoid constipation and stomach heaviness.
A balanced diet for type 2 diabetes allows even potatoes to be included in the diet, but this vegetable may not be essential when choosing and preparing food. It contains a lot of starch and is relatively high in calories (compared to other vegetables), so its amount should be strictly limited.
In order for vegetables to only benefit the body, they need to be properly prepared. If vegetables can be eaten raw and the diabetic has no digestive problems, it is better to consume it in this form because it retains the maximum amount of useful elements, vitamins and minerals. But if the patient has gastrointestinal problems at the same time (such as inflammatory diseases), all vegetables should be subjected to pre-heat treatment.
It is highly undesirable to fry or steam vegetables with a lot of butter and vegetable oil as they will absorb the fat and the benefits of such a food will be much less than the harm. Fatty and fried foods not only disrupt the functioning of the pancreas, but often cause extra pounds.
Vegetables cooked with 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 fruits from their diet and leave only sour green apples and sometimes pears in it. But this is not necessary because most fruits have a low glycemic index and are low in carbohydrates and calories. For diabetics, all fruits and berries with a low to medium glycemic index are beneficial because they are high in vitamins, organic acids, pigments, and minerals.
- apples;
- pear;
- Mandarin;
- orange;
- grapefruit;
- apricot;
- plum;
- redcurrant;
- cherry;
- blueberry;
- raspberry.
Fruits contain carbohydrates, so their amount in the diet should be limited. It is advisable to eat it in the morning (until 16: 00 at most) so that the sugar does not become body fat. Even before going to bed and in the morning on an empty stomach, it is better not to eat fruit, as this can lead to irritation of the gastric mucosa and a range of extra pounds.
Melons, watermelons and figs are banned fruits in type 2 diabetes because they have a high glycemic index and a high sugar content. For the same reason, it is undesirable for patients to consume dried fruits such as dates and dried figs.
Peaches and bananas may be present in the diet of a diabetic, but it is recommended to eat no more than once or twice a week. For daily use, it is better to prefer plums, apples and citrus fruits because they improve digestion and contain a lot of coarse fiber. They contain plenty of vitamins and minerals that are needed for the well-coordinated, full-fledged work of the entire body.
The fruit is a healthy and delicious delicacy that can help you overcome the craving for forbidden sweet foods. Patients who consume fruit regularly find it easier to follow their diet and daily routine.
Cereals and pasta
What can patients eat from cereals and pasta? This list includes many approved products from which you can make delicious and healthy meals. Cereals and pasta should be the slow source of carbohydrates a patient needs for brain function and energy. The products recommended by your doctor are:
- buckwheat;
- oats in need of cooking (not instant cereals);
- bulgur;
- pea;
- durum wheat pasta;
- Semolina;
- paddy rice;
- millet.
Consumption of white rice, semolina and instant oatmeal is highly undesirable for diabetics. These products are high in carbohydrates, calories and low in bio-valuable substances. In general, these cereals simply saturate the body and satisfy the feeling of hunger. Excessive consumption of such cereals can lead to weight gain and digestive problems.
But even authorized cereals need to be cooked and eaten properly. It is best to cook the porridge in water without adding oils and fats. It is worth eating breakfast as carbohydrates should provide energy to the patient throughout the day. These simple recommendations should always be kept in mind, as properly selected and cooked cereals only bring benefits and are not harmful to human health.
In type 2 diabetes, it is necessary to eat partially. The daily diet should be divided into 5-6 meals.
What to give up?
Patients with type 2 diabetes should completely exclude the following foods and foods from their diet:
- sugar and products containing sugar;
- fatty foods made from large amounts of vegetables or butter;
- smoked meats;
- semi-finished products and fast food restaurants;
- pickles;
- salty and spicy hard cheeses;
- bakery products made from premium flour.
You can’t make exceptions to the rules and occasionally use something on the blacklist. In type 2 diabetes, the patient does not receive an insulin injection and the only chance is to keep their blood sugar level normal with a good meal and other recommendations from their doctor.
Sample menu for the day
It is better to prepare a daily menu in advance, calculating its caloric content and the proportion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the food. Table 1 shows the caloric content and chemical composition of each food allowed in Diet # 9. You can easily create an optimal energy diet according to these data, the recommendations of your doctor and the composition always indicated on the packaging of the products.
The daily sample menu might look like this:
- breakfast - oatmeal, a slice of low-fat cheese, wholemeal bread without yeast;
- snack - nuts or apples;
- lunch - vegetable soup, boiled chicken breast or turkey, buckwheat porridge, berry juice;
- afternoon snack - allowed fruit and a glass of rosehip broth;
- dinner - steamed fish with vegetables or low-fat cottage cheese, a glass of compote without sugar;
- snack before going to bed - 200 ml of low-fat kefir.
The diet of a type 2 diabetic can be really varied and delicious. The lack of sweet foods is compensated by healthy fruits and nuts, and fatty meats are replaced by food options. The big advantage of the menu is that it can be made for the whole family. Restricting animal fats and sugar is beneficial even for healthy people, and in the case of diabetes, it is a prerequisite for maintaining normal health for many years to come.