Stemming the Tide of the Diabetes Epidemic

It is a certifiable medical fact that type 2 Diabetes can be avoided or at least delayed through diet, exercise, proper medical treatment.  Yet the United States is nonetheless facing a diabetes epidemic of staggering proportions; 26 million Americans have the disease, and that number has doubled since 1980.

And therein lies the profound challenge facing the medical and diabetic community: how, despite all the education and diabetes management strategies available, is the condition only worsening.

Industry experts have some theories as to why this is.  Some argue that despite breakthroughs in diabetes management care, these strategies have not been practically translated into everyday activities that patients can partake in.

Then there’s the theory that the level of diabetes education is not, after all, as pervasive and useful as previously thought.  Advocates need to do a better job at promoting the importance of diet and education, and that starts at the grade school level.

A Simple Guide to Healthy Eating for Diabetics

When you are diagnosed with diabetes one of the first things you should do is consult a nutritionist. They will be able to tell you exactly what’s good for you to include in your diet, and what food types you should be avoiding.

A healthy food plan is essential for managing your condition, but with so much information currently available knowing what’s right and wrong can be a confusing business. Whatever choices you make there are a few simple rules which are universally recognized to be beneficial.

• Try and reduce portion sizes. Cut the amount of fried foods you include in meals, whether at home or in a restaurant.
• Make fresh fruit and vegetables a major part of your diet. Try and eat non-starchy vegetables, such as green beans, spinach and broccoli with every meal.
• Drink diet soda whenever you have the chance – better still have a glass of water.
• Switch to brown rice, whole-wheat pasta and other whole grain carbohydrates.
• Include dried beans and lentils in your cooking.
• Try and eat fish at least twice a week.
• When buying meat, whether at the store or in a restaurant, opt for leaner cuts, such as loin of pork or beef. Always remove the skin from chicken.
• Reduce your dairy food consumption and opt for fat-free milk, cheese and yogurt. Try replacing cow’s milk in drinks with Soya or rice alternatives.
• When you’re frying avoid solid fats and choose liquid oils which contain less saturated fat.
• Avoid calorie-packed snack foods such as cookies, chips and cakes; alternatively look for low-calorie versions.

Most importantly, develop and stick to a meal plan. Your doctor will be able to help you with this. Make sure it fits your lifestyle and is achievable; sticking to it will not only control weight but help balance blood glucose, blood pressure and your cholesterol levels.

Pregnancy and Diabetes

Like any other woman, Diabetics have to take certain precautions during pregnancy, but with the right diet and a little extra attention, there is no reason why you should not have a perfectly healthy child. All the usual advice applies, such as eating a healthy, well balanced diet, avoiding drinking and smoking and making sure you take the correct vitamins.

Once you are pregnant it is important to maintain your blood glucose at near normal levels, especially in the early stages, when your baby is growing most rapidly. You run the highest chance of miscarriage during this phase and high glucose levels can increase the risk of complications. Your doctor will be able to advise you on a suitable meal plan.

Sufferers taking hypoglycaemic medication or controlling their condition through diet and exercise will be moved to insulin injections and you will need to adjust to this by monitoring your body’s glucose levels carefully. Gradually, over the course of your pregnancy your need for insulin will increase. You can help regulate it by sticking to an agreed meal plan and learning to adjust your jabs as required.

Food intake is especially important during pregnancy; after all, you are controlling both the nutrition and glucose levels of two people now and you will have to accommodate your food intake accordingly, increasing your daily intake by around 300 calories.

Over the course of your pregnancy you will become an expert in controlling your blood sugar levels and it is important throughout never to miss meals and snack breaks. If you suffer from morning sickness contact your doctor immediately, and if sticking to three large meals a day becomes uncomfortable, split them into six or even eight smaller servings.

Your doctor will know exactly how you need to manage your condition over the course of your pregnancy and be able to advise you throughout.

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