Best Diet For Diabetic Patients
Diabetes is a diseases that is caused by eleveated levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood stream. This is caused by many different things : your body’s resistance to insulin, or a pancreas that doesn’t generate the proper amount of insulin for you to function properly. Insulin is a hormone that the body uses to convert glucose into energy. Whatever the reason, it is essential to keep control over your blood sugar levels; failure to do so could create serious health issues, including ending up in a diabetic coma. Beliefs on what constitutes the proper diet for diabetics vary widely.
For a very long time, those with diabetes were told to completely stay away from all carbohydrates and sugars. Sugar was regarded as the worst offender as it is more easily turned into glucose, which means it reaches the bloodstream more quickly than other carbohydrates. As a result, diabetics have relied on products with artificial sweeteners that eliminate the need for sugar in foods.
Currently, physicians understand that sugar and carbs are simply everywhere, so it is unrealistic to expect diabetics to avoid them completely. Artificial sweeteners do exist that add no carbohydrates or calories to foods, but just because a food is sugar free does not mean that it is especially safe for diabetics.
In all honesty, the best diet for diabetics is the same as the best diet for other members of the family. Believe it or not, diabetics CAN continue to enjoy their favorite foods. The main things that diabetics need to focus on is monitoring the amount of carbs that they eat every day. You have to look out for potatoes and pasta as much as sugary, sweet foods, as carbohydrates have sugars and starches in them as well.
The best decision is to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to one’s diet. These foods include natural sugars that the body can use but are different from glucose in enough ways to keep them from increasing the blood glucose level. Fruits and vegetables also contain more fiber, which have the effect of improving bowel movements and making one feel more full, thus curbing one’s appetite.
It’s also not true that meals for diabetics need to be made seperately from everyone else’s food. Basically, a diet for diabetics doesn’t have to be different than anyone else’s in their family, as long as they are careful. All diets should be balanced, rich in fruits and vegetables, and nclude protein and a moderate amount of starches, and very little fat.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
[...] be prepared separately from the rest of the family has been disproven. The fact is that the best diet for diabetic patients is the same as the diet the rest of the family should follow. It should be a balanced diet rich [...]
November 20th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
[...] be prepared separately from the rest of the family has been disproven. The fact is that the best diet for diabetic patients is the same as the diet the rest of the family should follow. This should be a balanced diet of [...]