Some foods can put a diabetic’s health at risk and should be avoided.
With more than 16 million people living with diabetes, Brazil is the fifth country with the highest incidence of the disease in the world, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). According to the institution, this number could reach 21.5 million by 2030.
One of the biggest challenges in dealing with the disease is related to diet, mainly due to the need to control the consumption of sugars and carbohydrates. For Beatriz Scher, an influencer who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of six, when the person discovers the disease, adapting their diet seems to be a challenge.
However, Dr. Christian Aguiar, an authority on preventative and natural health, explains that having a nutritional strategy makes a big difference in symptom control and quality of life for people with diabetes.
“Dealing with diabetes itself is difficult, but being exposed to sweets, fast food, alcoholic beverages and other delicacies, ends up being an obstacle for those who have recently discovered the disease. In my case, having been diagnosed as a child, I grew up knowing what I should and shouldn’t eat, which made things a little less difficult. However, the biggest complaint from my newly diagnosed followers is this difficulty adjusting to their new life,” says the diabetes influencer.
Types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood and adolescence and develops due to a reduction or failure to produce insulin. Because of this low production, the pancreas cannot control glucose. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed mainly in adults over 40 years of age and in the elderly and can appear sedentary lifestyledue to poor nutrition, obesity and stress.
In type 2, unlike type 1, insulin is still produced in the body, but there is resistance to its action in the body. According to Dr. Christian Aguiar, despite the difference, monitoring with specialists is important in both situations, since nutrition is a great ally to ensure a better quality of life.
Important dietary precautions
For people diagnosed with diabetes, the daily menu must be balanced. “For diabetics and anyone who wants to prevent the disease, diet with few carbohydrates it is the most recommended, reducing the consumption of the major sources of carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, sweets and all foods that contain a lot of flour in their production”, says the doctor.
According to him, the ideal is for the maximum daily consumption to be between 100 and 150 g of carbohydrates. “Another food to avoid and consume in moderation is sugar. It causes an overload on the pancreas, which consequently cannot produce enough insulin to reduce glucose levels,” he explains.
Additionally, Dr. Christian Aguiar emphasizes being careful when consuming fruit, especially in juice form. This is because, to prepare a single glass, a greater quantity of fruit is needed, equivalent to a higher sugar level in the body.
“When we consume a lot of sugar, we decrease mitochondrial function, which pancreas it works excessively and, as a result, increases insulin resistance in the body. And these changes harm the health of diabetics,” he explains.
Foods to avoid in your routine
Below, Dr. Christian Aguiar suggests other foods that diabetics should avoid:
- Processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, salami, etc.;
- Drinks with high sugar content, such as natural juices, soft drinks and energy drinks;
- Refined carbohydrates, such as bread, desserts, pasta, even in the wholemeal version;
- Fried foods, as they are highly inflammatory and increase insulin resistance.
Other precautions to take
Diabetes influencer, Beatriz Scher, warns her followers about the need for medical and nutritional monitoring, as well as carefully reading packages and labels to make informed choices, opting for products in line with individual nutritional needs.
It also highlights the importance of making necessary blood sugar corrections. He also encourages people with type 1 diabetes to carry their insulin pens with them at all times glucose monitor.
By Yasmin Santos
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
