To do this, do not forget about the three components of a good state of health in diabetes: constant weight control, the right diet and exercise. A balanced diet for diabetes mellitus aims not only to reduce blood sugar, but also to limit the consumption of fats. We'll talk about all this below.
As modern studies of dietitians show, it is not necessary to completely exclude sugar from the diet of a diabetic patient. You can leave in the food some of the usual for us beet or cane sugar, which in diabetics is accepted to be replaced by other substances, sweeteners. It is important only to correctly calculate the rate of its consumption on the basis of blood test data.
Complications, which are so afraid of patients with diabetes, can be avoided by controlling the level of sugar in the blood. Therefore, you need to choose a balanced diet for diabetes.
Diabetes diet should obey the following rules:
- we must try to ensure that all portions taken during breakfast, lunch and dinner are the same in size;
- it is better, if the food is taken every day at the same time;
- meals should not be missed;
- at the same time, you also need to exercise;
- the same applies to taking medication for diabetes.
Such measures will help maintain blood sugar levels at the same level, within normal limits. When a person takes food, the sugar level in his blood drops. If one meal was eaten a little, and during another - much more, there will be fluctuations in the level of sugar. Such fluctuations are more dangerous than a constant small discrepancy to the rate at which the body can adapt.
When choosing products follow the following rules:
- the division of food into portions is done in accordance with the required daily quantity of calories and nutrients (vitamins, minerals);
- prepare food from quite familiar products: vegetables, fruits, meat, milk;
- products are chosen low-fat, this reduces the risk of heart complications almost twice;
- fatty and sweet foods are not under complete prohibition, but are severely restricted;
- meat products can be cooked almost without restrictions.
A balanced diet is made taking into account daily energy requirements. They can be different in people with different ways of life, different loads, age. Do not forget that you need control over the appearance of excess weight. Therefore, the diet allows for the opportunity to lose weight. Excess weight increases the burden on the heart, blood vessels, musculoskeletal system and increases the risk of complications.
In total, three groups of diets have been developed: 1200-1600, 1600-2000 and 2000-2400 calories. That's not a lot. According to dietary norms for healthy people working at moderate work (for example, office workers), the rate of energy consumption is approximately 2,700 calories for men and 2,500 for women.
The first group (a diet of 1200-1600 calories) is suitable for women of low growth who have daily physical activity and for higher ones who do not have loads.
Daily food is divided into 6 equal portions, which are taken at regular intervals. The sleep time is not taken into account. The food consists of 1-2 servings of dairy products, 1-2 servings of meat dishes, 3 servings of vegetables. Fat-containing products are present in no more than 3 portions.
The second group (a diet of 1600-2000 calories) is suitable for large women who need to lose weight. In addition, for men of low or normal growth with regular physical activity and for men of medium height, who need to lose weight.
Daily food is divided into 8 identical portions, which are also taken at regular intervals. Sleep time is not taken into account. The food consists of 1-3 servings of dairy products, 1-3 servings of meat dishes, 4 servings of vegetables or fruits. Fat-containing products are present in no more than 4 servings.
The third group (a diet of 2000-2400 calories) is suitable for women and men of high growth with active physical activity.
Daily food is divided into 11 equal portions. The food consists of 2 servings of dairy products, 2 servings of meat dishes, 4 servings of vegetables and 3 servings of fruit. Fats should be no more than 5 servings.
In such a diet, portions are defined as specific amounts of food that have the desired caloric value. This means that for the diet of the third group, one portion of the product contains 2400: 11 = 218 calories. Caloric content of the product is determined in accordance with the tables. In one dish, several products can be combined: milk, vegetables, etc. This way of dividing into portions helps to get a balanced diet that will maintain a constant level of sugar in the blood.
It should be remembered that diabetics should avoid the use of "fast carbohydrates". They most strongly affect the level of sugar. Such rapidly digestible carbohydrates are usually found in sweets, sugar, chocolate. Special food, which is sold in stores on the "shelves for diabetics" does not contain such carbohydrates.
In diabetes mellitus, the calorie intake should only be 50-60% due to carbohydrates. "Fast" carbohydrates are replaced by "slow" carbohydrates, which are in large quantities found in bread from wholemeal flour. In food you can add a little brown cane sugar. It is rich in mineral substances and contains carbohydrates, which are absorbed more slowly than those present in white sugar. On the day, you can allow up to 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, which, if possible, is evenly divided into all meals.
Nutrition for diabetics should have enough vitamins, especially groups B and C.