Those suffering from the disease need to control the food consumed to lead a healthier life. Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for everyone, but it plays an even more crucial role in the lives of those living with diabetes. Choosing appropriate foods helps control blood glucose levels, preventing complications […]
Those suffering from the disease must control the foods they consume to lead a healthier life.
Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for everyone, but it takes on an even more crucial role in the lives of those living with diabetes. Choosing appropriate foods helps control blood glucose levels, preventing complications and improving quality of life. Come and understand why a balanced diet can be a powerful ally in managing diabetes!
But first of all, how does diabetes affect the body?
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood, caused by problems in the production or action of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin is essential for cells to use glucose as an energy source. There are two types
main symptoms of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: occurs when the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, causing insulin deficiency. Without enough insulin, glucose remains in the blood, which increases glucose levels.
- Type 2 diabetes: occurs when the body does not use insulin effectively (insulin resistance) or does not produce enough of it. It is more common and is often associated with obesity, physical inactivity and genetic factors.
Advantages
Having a balanced diet offers numerous benefits to those suffering from diabetes. “A diet with balanced macro and micronutrients for diabetics guarantees blood sugar control, avoiding glycemic peaks, avoiding the increase in medications, guaranteeing quality of life for diabetics. Furthermore, in cases of diabetes linked to obesity, a diet aimed at Weight loss improves the action of insulin, reducing blood glucose levels”, explains nutritionist Patrícia Davidson, specialist in natural hormonal health and women’s health.
Are carbohydrates the enemy?
Patricia also warns that high consumption of refined carbohydrates leads to an increase in blood sugar and that, in diabetics, it is necessary to control blood sugar levels. “That’s why the ideal is to consume complex carbohydrates with a greater amount of fiber or associate fibre, fat or protein with carbohydrate sources to reduce the glycemic peak of that food. Such as, for example, tapioca, which is a high glycemic index food, but when used in small quantities combined with chia, which is a source of fiber and fat, and enriched with a protein option such as chicken, it reduces the high glycemic index of tapioca,” he points out.
Let’s try to balance!
Find out which foods, besides refined carbohydrates and sugar, should be consumed in moderation and with caution:
- Grain-rich foods;
- soft drinks;
- Industrialized juices;
- Jellies rich in sugar;
- Filled biscuits and biscuits.
Nutrition education is an ally
The nutritionist advises those who need to take care of their diet to be passionate about food education, as it teaches the ideal combinations to control various pathologies such as diabetes. “Nutrition education generates quality of life for many people who believe that living with diabetes means living a completely limited life. Furthermore, it helps prevent the consequences that diabetes can generate, such as wound healing: diabetics who live with a balanced diet have no difficulty in healing.”
Having the help of a good nutritionist in meal planning also makes this process much easier. “When developing a diet for diabetics, the nutritionist is able to guarantee the quality of life and control of diabetes through a food plan calculated with the ideal quantity of macro and micronutrients individually for the patient, creating the appropriate food combinations to avoid glycemic peaks, keeping many blood markers linked to diabetes stable”, he concludes.
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.
