Diet for diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of diseases associated with impaired glucose absorption. As a result, its concentration in the blood increases significantly.

Diabetes mellitus develops for various reasons. Some types of disease are due to genetic predisposition, while others are related to lifestyle or environmental factors.

The disease causes significant damage to the body. A prolonged excess of glucose (sugar) in the blood gradually destroys the walls of blood vessels and can lead to kidney, heart and nerve cell dysfunction. But such complications can be prevented. The main thing is to follow the doctor's recommendations for treatment and adjust your diet.

Types of diabetes

Depending on the mechanism of pathology formation, there are two main types of diabetes mellitus: 1 and 2.

In addition, there are other types of diabetes:

• potential (prediabetes) a condition in which blood sugar is at the upper limit of normal, but does not exceed it;
• insipidus is a disease in which the body lacks antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or the kidneys lose sensitivity to it. As a result, symptoms similar to diabetes appear - thirst, frequent urination, weakness;
• gestation is a temporary condition that develops during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood glucose levels;
• latent diabetes mellitus, which develops asymptomatically for a long time (similar to type 2 diabetes), but at the same time, according to the mechanism of development, it is closer to type 1 diabetes (dysfunction of the immune system);
• a labile form of diabetes mellitus, in which even continuous insulin therapy does not eliminate unprovoked increases in blood glucose;
• a kidney disease in which the kidneys stop filtering fluids. As a result, symptoms similar to diabetes appear: frequent urge to urinate and a strong feeling of thirst;
• postoperative condition that develops after pancreatic surgery;
• pancreatic disease, which occurs against the background of chronic pancreatic pathologies (for example, chronic pancreatitis);
• extrapancreatic disease, which appears against the background of chronic pathologies, but can gradually lead to disruption of the pancreas.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

With this type of disease, the body's own immunity destroys the pancreatic cells that are responsible for producing insulin. As a result, insulin does not enter the blood and does not transport glucose into the cells. Because of this, it remains in the dishes and gradually destroys them.

Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children and adolescents, although it can occur at any age

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually appear acutely.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

• strong thirst and hunger,
• weakness,
• frequent urination,
• sudden weight loss
• blurred vision.

Without treatment, these symptoms are accompanied by signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (one of the complications of diabetes): thirst, weakness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty concentrating. The person may even fall into a coma.

People with type 1 diabetes take insulin for life.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

In this case, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the cells are insensitive to it, so they cannot absorb glucose and its concentration in the blood increases.

Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus can develop unnoticed for a long time, so people do not always notice the first symptoms of the disease.

Possible symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

• frequent urination;
• strong thirst;
• hunger even after eating;
• fatigue;
• blurred vision;
• wounds that heal slowly;
• darkening of the skin on the elbows and knees;
• tingling, pain or numbness in the arms and legs.

The risk of developing diabetes

Types of diets for diabetes

There is no special diet for diabetes mellitus, but people with this diagnosis are often mistakenly recommended to choose one of the strict food systems that are supposed to help overcome the disease. For example, completely eliminate carbohydrates from the diet, replace them with proteins, eat only buckwheat porridge or observe another mono-diet.

No carb diet

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for cells. They come in three types: sugar, starch and fiber. Sugars are simple carbohydrates, including glucose. Natural sugars are found in fruits and vegetables, artificial (added) sugars are found in confectionery, sauces and canned foods. Starch and fiber are complex carbohydrates. Starch is found in fruits, seeds and tubers of plants, fiber is found in fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread and pasta.

Glucose is a carbohydrate that provokes the main disorders in diabetes mellitus. Because of this, proponents of a carbohydrate-free diet believe that eliminating glucose, and at the same time all carbohydrates from the diet, will help stop the disease. This is wrong.

A healthy percentage of carbohydrates in the diet is 50/55%

Carbohydrates are a source of energy, so you should not completely exclude them from your diet, and besides, it is quite difficult, because they are found in almost all foods.

In the absence of carbohydrates, the body switches to obtaining energy from fats and proteins, the percentage of which, when following such a diet, usually increases due to the consumption of red meat. And this is a risk factor for heart disease and colorectal cancer.

In addition, carbohydrate sources such as fruits and vegetables and legumes contain many nutrients and minerals, the lack of which negatively affects health and can worsen diabetes.

High protein diet

A protein or high-protein diet is a diet in which the daily protein intake exceeds the norm (0. 8 g per 1 kg of weight) and accounts for more than 15-16% of the total calorie intake.

There is no consensus that people with diabetes should eat more protein. However, its excess increases some health risks.

Excess protein in the diet increases the load on the kidneys and stones can begin to form in them. In addition, proteins are mainly found in meat and dairy products, so when you follow such a diet, there is a high probability of vitamin and mineral deficiency due to the fact that fruits and vegetables are excluded from the diet.

Buckwheat diet

The buckwheat diet is a one-product diet with strict restrictions. The diet of such a diet consists of 70% buckwheat, to which other low-fat foods are gradually added: vegetables, dried fruits, white meat, fish.

Cereals for the buckwheat diet are prepared in a special way: they are not boiled, but poured with boiling water and left for 4-6 hours.

The main disadvantage of such a diet is the limited number of foods consumed. Because of this, a person may lack useful vitamins and minerals. In addition, following a buckwheat diet is psychologically difficult: it may seem that nothing is allowed. So the risk of slipping and excessive consumption of high-calorie foods increases significantly.

Diet for type 1 diabetes

There is no specific diet for people with type 1 diabetes, but it is important for people with this diagnosis to calculate the amount of carbohydrates they eat each day and take into account the glycemic index of foods. In addition, they must adhere to the principle or method of a healthy dish.

The amount of carbohydrates in the diet of a person with type 1 diabetes on average should not exceed 17 units of bread per day.

The amount of carbohydrates that a person with diabetes can normally tolerate varies from person to person and depends on weight, level of physical activity, daily calorie needs and how the body metabolizes carbohydrates.

You can calculate the necessary amount of carbohydrates per day with a nutritionist or your doctor. After converting the carbohydrates you eat into bread units, your doctor will help you determine how much insulin will be needed to absorb the glucose. Over time, a person will learn to calculate this on his own.

Correspondence table of carbohydrate-containing products with bread units

Product	1 XE (about 15 g of carbohydrates)
white bread	1 piece
Borodino bread	1 piece
Buckwheat	1 tablespoon (dry)
Oatmeal	1 tablespoon (dry)
potato	1 medium tuber
ORANGE	1 piece
Strawberry	10 pieces
Apple	1 piece
milky	1 glass
Ice cream made from milk	⅔ serving (without glass)

Glycemic index

The glycemic index (GI) is a number that shows how the foods you eat affect your blood glucose levels.

The glycemic index is not calculated independently; usually indicated on food packaging.

Low GI foods are believed to raise blood sugar levels slightly and break down more slowly, so you stay fuller for longer. High GI foods are digested faster and also raise blood sugar levels too much.

All products containing carbohydrates are divided into three groups:

• Low GI (from 55) skimmed milk, apples, peanuts;
• with medium GI (from 56 to 69) - spaghetti, buckwheat, ice cream;
• with high GI (70 and above) - white bread, rice milk, white rice.

It is useful for a person with diabetes to know the glycemic index of food. In this way he will be able to include low GI foods in his diet and will not allow blood glucose to rise. However, other factors must be considered.

Research shows that the amount of carbohydrates eaten, rather than their index, has a greater impact on blood glucose levels. Simply put, apples can lead to hyperglycemia. Therefore, for most people with diabetes, the best tool for monitoring blood glucose levels is carbohydrate counting.

The healthy plate method

The healthy plate method divides foods into five main groups: fruits and vegetables, slow-release carbohydrates, dairy, protein and fat. You can combine these groups using a regular plate.

Fruits and vegetables should make up a third or half of it. Slow carbohydrates - a third or a little more. The remaining part is occupied by dairy products, a little more by protein foods and a small part by fats.

The principle of nutrition with the healthy plate method

How to assemble a healthy plate:

• Step 1.We choose a dish. Its diameter should be equal to the length of the palm.
• Step 2.Place the vegetables and fruits on a plate. They can be in any form: fresh, boiled, boiled, canned. The serving should take up half the plate or a little less.
• Step 3.Divide the rest of the plate in half. We put slow carbohydrates in the first half - cereal products, jacket potatoes, whole grain bread or pasta. We fill the remaining quarter with protein sources - lentils, beans, peas, fish, eggs, lean meat.

In addition, people with type 1 diabetes should follow important principles of healthy eating:

• drink according to thirst;
• eat less salt - no more than a teaspoon (5-6 g) a day;
• limit the consumption of trans fats (found in many prepared and processed foods - fast food, sweets and pastries);
• reduce the consumption of saturated fats (found in sweet pastries, fatty meats, sausages, butter and lard).

Anyone with type 1 diabetes should discuss their diet with a dietitian to determine the best nutrition and exercise plan for insulin use.

Diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Since foods containing carbohydrates directly affect blood sugar levels, a balanced diet with carbohydrates is one of the main directions in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

In order not to count the amount of carbohydrates eaten, doctors recommend that people with type 2 diabetes eat according to the principle of a healthy plate (as with type 1 diabetes). The emphasis in the diet is on increasing the percentage of non-starchy vegetables, fiber and lean protein.

In addition, this diet is rich in fiber, the consumption of which helps avoid blood sugar spikes and promotes weight loss.

Fiber is digested more slowly, which means that it ensures the feeling of satiety for a long time.

When eating using the healthy plate method, at each meal you must mentally divide the plate into three parts. Half should be filled with non-starchy vegetables - fresh or boiled. This can be lettuce, cauliflower, green beans, tomatoes.

A quarter of the plate should be low-fat protein sources: baked fish, boiled meat, legumes, tofu. The portion of protein on the plate should fit in the palm of your hand.

The rest is complex carbohydrates like whole grain breads and cereals. Their portion should be the size of a handful.

In addition, you can add a portion of healthy fat (for example, a few slices of avocado) or coat the lettuce with a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil.

Diet for gestational diabetes

Foods directly affect blood sugar levels, so a healthy, balanced diet helps manage gestational diabetes and pregnancy.

There is no single correct diet that is best for women with gestational diabetes. The point is, what works for one person may not work for another. But there are some common diets that help control the disease.

The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)

DASH, or the Diet to Control Hypertension, was created for people who suffer from high blood pressure. Over time, doctors and scientists discovered that such a diet helps with other diseases, including gestational diabetes.

Thus, a study of 52 women with gestational diabetes found that following the DASH diet for 4 weeks led to a reduced need for insulin treatment and fewer cesarean deliveries.

According to the DASH diet, your diet should include:

• low-sodium foods (no more than 2, 300 mg of sodium per day, equivalent to 1 teaspoon of salt);
• fruits;
• vegetables;
• whole grains;
• low-fat dairy products;
• lean meat and fish;
• legumes and nuts;
• vegetable oils.

Limit consumption or exclude from the diet:

• foods rich in saturated fat (red meat, full-fat dairy, coconut and palm oil);
• sweets, sweet juices and carbonated drinks with sugar, alcohol.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is an eating plan based on the diets of people in France, Spain, Italy and Greece. It consists of vegetables, fruits, protein sources, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and olive oil.

The Mediterranean diet requires you to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. One serving is 80 grams of fresh fruit and vegetables or 30 grams of dried fruit.

A serving of fruit or vegetables is, for example, one medium apple, half a cup of cucumber or carrot, or one cup of leafy greens.

The main source of unsaturated fat in the Mediterranean diet is olive oil. Healthy fats are also found in nuts, seeds, olives and fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna, salmon, trout).

With a Mediterranean diet, you should eat fish twice a week.

When you follow the Mediterranean diet, some foods are not eaten at all or the amount in the diet is limited. For example, you should eat less red and processed meat - no more than twice a week. Dairy products are replaced with low-fat and fermented ones, such as Greek yogurt or low-fat cheese.

The Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. This diet is rich in fiber, which digests slowly, prevents blood sugar fluctuations and helps maintain a healthy weight.

The healthy plate method

In addition, as with other types of diabetes, doctors recommend that women with gestational diabetes use the healthy plate method.

Products are divided into five main groups: fruits and vegetables, slow carbohydrates, dairy products, proteins and fats.

Using these groups, you can assemble your healthy plate. Fill half your plate with vegetables, herbs and fruit, one third with slow carbohydrates (for example, cereals, whole grain pasta), one third with lean protein sources (fish, white meat, dairy products), the rest of the healthiest vegetable fats.

In stores you can buy plates with dividers so that you do not assemble a healthy plate with eyes

Often such tiles are sold in the children's department

Examples of a diet for gestational diabetes using the healthy plate method

Breakfast:

• 1 apple,
• a handful of lettuce with a spoonful of olive oil, ½ cucumber,
• 2 slices of whole grain bread,
• 1 boiled egg,
• unsweetened yogurt.

Dinner:

• a portion of fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, Korean carrots);
• a handful of brown rice;
• a piece of baked white fish;
• a handful of walnuts.

Dinner:

• baked chicken breast,
• boiled green beans,
• green egg salad,
• some pieces of cheese.

Diet for diabetes in children

Children most often have type 1 diabetes, so they must monitor their blood sugar levels and receive insulin injections throughout their lives.

Typically, a typical school or daycare meal plan is very similar to what people with diabetes should follow. In the dining room they can eat everything except products containing pure sugar: for example, it is better to replace compote with tea or water without sugar.

Depending on what the child eats, he or his parents determine the necessary dose of insulin to be administered. As a rule, the menu in canteens is prepared a week in advance, so you can find out in advance what the child will eat.

Another important condition is to make sure that the child eats snacks several times a day. This will help avoid a sharp drop in blood glucose - hypoglycemia, which can cause him to faint.

Precursors of hypoglycemia - pale skin, excessive sweating, trembling hands, weakness

A mild attack of hypoglycemia can be quickly relieved by drinking sweet juice, eating a few pieces of sugar or taking a glucose tablet. The child or parent should always have all of these at hand: in a bag or purse.

In addition, it is important to explain to the teacher or caregiver that the child should always have access to a snack. Preferably at the same time. And before a physical education lesson, he must measure his blood sugar and eat something with carbohydrates. This will help avoid an attack of hypoglycemia, because exercise causes the body to burn glucose faster.

Dessert recipes for people with diabetes

People with diabetes often crave forbidden sweets, making it difficult for them to stick to a healthy diet. However, there are many desserts that contain large amounts of protein and fiber and do not lead to a spike in blood sugar.

Carbohydrate content in all given recipes does not exceed 15 g or 1 unit of bread. Stevia can be replaced with any common sugar substitute.

Panna cotta

One serving of the dessert contains 335 kcal, 2 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates, 4 g total sugar and 0 g added sugar

Cooking time: 15 minutes.

The cake must be prepared in advance because it will take time to harden after boiling (at least 3 hours).

Ingredients:

• 1, 5 tbsp. l. dry gelatin
• 60 ml cold water
• 60 ml of hot water
• 2 cups heavy cream (over 30%)
• 2 spoons. vanilla
• stevia to taste (about 4 g powder)
• a pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Pour the gelatin into a bowl of cold water and leave for a few minutes. Pour in hot water and stir well until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
2. Add all other ingredients and mix until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into glasses and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

The finished panna cotta can be decorated with fresh berries.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge

One serving of the dessert contains 76 kcal, 7 g fat, 3 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates, 1 g total sugar and 0 g added sugar.

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 200 g dark chocolate (2 standard bars)
• 200 g unsweetened peanut butter
• 4 spoons. stevia powder
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• a pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler.
2. Mix all the other ingredients with the melted chocolate.
3. Pour the mixture into a silicone baking dish. Cool to room temperature. Cut into pieces before serving.

Pumpkin cheesecake mousse

One serving of the dessert contains 136 kcal, 8 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates, 2 g of fiber, 8 g of total sugars and 5 g of added sugars.

Cooking time: 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 150 g pumpkin puree
• 150 g low-fat cottage cheese or ricotta
• 1, 5 tbsp. l. honey or maple syrup
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• a pinch of salt
• 50 g Greek yogurt
• Almond flakes for garnish

Preparation:

1. Mix the pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until smooth.
2. Cover the cup with the resulting mixture with a lid or cling film and put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Before serving, divide the mixture into glasses, garnish with yogurt and almond petals.

Apple Cinnamon Popcorn

One serving of the dessert contains 154 kcal, 9 g fat, 2 g protein, 15 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 5 g total sugar and 0 g added sugar.

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon. l. olive oil
• 2 tablespoons. l. dry popcorn kernels
• ¾ tsp. cinnamon
• 100 g of dried apples

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat.
2. Place 1-2 popcorn kernels in the pan. Once they pop, you can pour the remaining popcorn.
3. Cover the pan with a lid and wait until all the grains open. Shake the pan occasionally.Carefully!Do not open the lid until the popcorn has cooled because the hot oil or hot kernels can burn your skin.
4. Sprinkle the finished popcorn with cinnamon and apple slices.

Gogol-mogol

One serving of the dessert contains 155 kcal, 9 g fat, 6 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates, 6 g total sugar and 0 g added sugar.

Cooking time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium eggs
• 5, 5 glasses of whole milk
• 0. 5 cup heavy cream (more than 30%)
• stevia to taste (about 4 g powder)
• a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Place all ingredients except nutmeg in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into glasses and sprinkle with nutmeg.

The finished egg can be decorated with a cinnamon stick.