Diabetes is a metabolic condition brought on by the body's inability to properly regulate glucose levels. Long-term accumulation of excess glucose in the body results in a variety of health concerns, including potentially fatal ones like heart disease, stroke, kidney, and eye disorders.
One of the causes of diabetes is when the body does not create enough insulin, and the other is when the body is unable to utilise the insulin that it does make. High blood glucose or blood sugar results from insufficient or inadequate use of the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar.
How can diabetes be managed?
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels depends heavily on proper eating. Additionally, it shields against diabetes complications. For diabetics, healthy dietary practices include:
Keeping your diet's carbs under control: Select nutritious carbs like whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products like milk and cheese.
Foods high in fibre: Foods high in fibre assist balance blood sugar levels and your digestion. In contrast to heart-healthy fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and legumes are abundant in dietary fibre. However, use a grilled or baked approach.
Good fats: Including good fats in your diet is another crucial step. You can lower your cholesterol levels by eating foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as almonds, avocados, canola, olive, and peanut oils.
Dividing up your daily meals into smaller portions: A diabetes diet entails maintaining a regular meal schedule and consuming nutritious foods in moderation. Additionally, a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fibre may lower your chance of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, low-fat dairy products can lower your future chance of having poor bone mass.
Foods to avoid: Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by accelerating the development of hardened and blocked arteries. Foods heavy in sodium, cholesterol, trans fats, and saturated fats can go against your diet's purpose of promoting heart health. Limit your intake of alcohol and foods and drinks that are high in sugar.
Saturated fats should be avoided in foods like butter, beef, hot dogs, sausage, and bacon as well as high-fat dairy products and animal proteins. Also high in trans fat include baked goods, processed foods, shortening, and stick margarines. High-fat dairy products, elevated-fat animal proteins, egg yolks, liver, and other organ meats are sources of high cholesterol.
A healthy eating plan ensures adequate nourishment, assists in managing your weight, blood sugar (glucose) levels, and heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure. Additionally, excess calories and fat cause blood glucose to rise unintentionally, which can cause major issues if it is not controlled. To keep your blood glucose levels within a safe range, tracking your eating habits is just as important as choosing nutritious foods.
