In addition to diabetics, cancer patients and those undergoing hemodialysis should also pay attention to the dishes of the Festa Junina
For many Brazilians we are in the tastiest time of the year. This is because corn, hominy, pine nuts, paçoca and corn flour are among the country’s most loved typical dishes. The holiday, which for many represents the right time to binge, however requires a little attention from those who suffer from diabetes or are being treated for other diseases.
At this time, people dealing with diabetes should be careful not to overeat. But the advice also applies to those who do not deal with the disease, as warned by nutritionist Tarcila Campos, from the Specialized Center for Obesity and Diabetes at the Alemão Oswaldo Cruz Hospital.
Typical dishes for those suffering from diabetes
“You can enjoy delicacies such as pé-de-moleque, canjica and cocada and still keep your blood sugar under control. There are no restrictions, moderation is the secret. If you plan to go to a party in June and take the risk to eat more than recommended, one option is to reduce or replace bread, rice or potatoes in previous meals”, explains the specialist.
For patients who eat by carb count, adjustments can be made to insulin dosage based on the amount of carbs in the typical dish chosen, according to Tarcila. This applies to both sweets with sugar and dietary ones, the nutritionist points out.
“Patients with a fixed carbohydrate goal per meal should work with substitutions and try to maintain the amount of carbohydrates prescribed by the nutritionist by making substitutions,” says Tarcila.
Replacement tips
Before going to the party, the expert recommends having a light meal. “Arriving the party hungry is the way to eat more than you need,” says the pro. It is also possible to consciously give up one or another tasty dessert. That is, eat only what you really want and not because there is a large supply of it. For the nutritionist, this is a wise decision.
Tarcila gives some advice for substitutions during the Festas Juninas, which however are also valid for everyday life:
- Rice and pasta can be swapped for cooked corn, sweet potatoes, tamales, hominy, popcorn, couscous at main meals or between snacks;
- Hominy, in addition to contributing to satiety, is the best substitute for hot chocolate. If possible, prefer dietary versions of sweets and hominy.
Remember that making party treats is high in sugar, carbohydrates and fat. It is therefore necessary to carry out glycemic monitoring and insulin adjustment according to medical prescription.
Will you be counting carbs? Discover the quantity in some June delicacies here:
- Pé de moleque (20g) = 14g of carbohydrates
- Sweet popcorn (25g) = 15g carbs
- Cornmeal cake (70g) = 33g carbs
- Hominy (180ml) = 36g carbohydrates
- Paçoca (30g) = 20g of carbohydrates
- Green corn on the cob (65g) = 18g carbs
- Pine nuts (1 unit or 10 g) = 5 g carbohydrates
Assistance for cancer patients
Even for those undergoing oncological treatments and hemodialysis it is necessary to adopt a series of precautions. According to nutritionist Cássia Carvalho of the Specialized Oncology Center, recipes that contain a lot of white flour and sugar, or other industrialized ingredients, could be modified.
“White flour can be replaced with wholemeal flour, sugar with sweeteners. The recipes must be adapted, but without affecting too much”, said the nutritionist.”, said the nutritionist.
Desserts with milk or cream present in the recipe, for example, can be replaced with skimmed, almond or soy milk, which have a lower fat percentage, explains Cassia.
However, if the patient follows the diet in daily life and has no symptoms of the treatment, such as nausea or diarrhea, he can make an exception and eat the typical dishes of the June festival.
“Every now and then he can consume it. If it is not part of his routine, if he is healthy every day, he can eat it at parties. June foods are ‘comfort foods’, they bring back emotional memories, which is also important for the patient being treated against cancer,” explains Cassia.
Nutritionist Lucas Oliveira Monção, who also works at the Specialized Oncology Center, reminds us that people with cancer must also receive another type of treatment.
“Cancer patients are immunosuppressed and therefore must pay attention to the hygiene of the place where the food was prepared and how it was prepared. They should also avoid raw foods and those of dubious origin. Those undergoing chemotherapy should also avoid processed meats,” the nutritionist said.
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.
