Diabetes patients know the importance of a scientific diet, especially paying attention to some daily details. So what should diabetes patients pay attention to in their diet? Let's take a look together.
For diabetes patients, diet is very important. So what should diabetes patients pay attention to in their diet? Let's find out.
【Dietary considerations for diabetes patients】
1. Grains should be strictly consumed in the prescribed amount, neither too much nor too little, and they should be consumed evenly (i.e., each meal should include grains, vegetables, and protein).
2. Due to individual differences in the digestion, absorption, and utilization of food, some data are only frameworks or references. In practical application, staple foods should be fixed, and side dishes should be used to adjust body weight. Reduce the amount of side dishes when overweight, increase the amount of side dishes when underweight, and when reaching the ideal body weight, the amount of side dishes should be such that the weight does not increase or decrease.
3. Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, lotus roots, water chestnuts, taro, and fava beans should be considered as staple foods rather than vegetables.
4. The so-called "sugar-free foods" in the market are actually "sugar-free". The sweetness comes from sweeteners, not sugar. However, the grains used in making the food, the bean paste in the filling, and the lactose in the milk can still be converted into glucose.
5. Sweeteners are non-sugar foods and generally do not raise blood sugar. However, blood sugar should still be measured after consuming sweeteners to confirm. Sweeteners cannot be used as emergency food for low blood sugar.
6. Do not eat fruits when blood sugar is not well controlled. Try eating fruits when blood sugar is well controlled, preferably between meals when blood sugar is lowest. Measure blood sugar 30 minutes to 1 or 2 hours after eating fruits. The choice and amount of fruits should be based on blood sugar not being high.
7. Nuts (peanuts, melon seeds, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts) mainly consist of oil (about 50%) and contain a certain amount of sugar. Therefore, they should be consumed sparingly or not at all. If used to satisfy hunger, it will not only raise blood sugar but also cause weight gain and increase insulin resistance.
8. Never restrict water intake, as it can cause various adverse effects such as blood thickening, thrombus formation, disturbance of water and salt metabolism, and impaired excretion of metabolic waste. Drink water when thirsty.
9. Smoking stimulates the release of glucagon and can cause tissue hypoxia and microcirculation disorders. Alcohol has high calories and can increase body weight. Beer contains 11 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters and is easily absorbed, causing blood sugar to rise. Long-term alcohol consumption can damage the liver, leading to alcoholic liver cirrhosis and difficult blood sugar control. Therefore, smoking should be quit and alcohol should be consumed in moderation or not at all.
10. Insulin-treated patients should eat 6 meals a day, including 3 main meals and 3 snacks. The daily allocation of 225 grams of staple food can be divided as follows: 50 grams for breakfast, 25 grams for snacks, 50 grams for lunch, 25 grams for snacks, 50 grams for dinner, and 25 grams for snacks.
【Dietary taboo for diabetes patients】
1. Diabetes patients need to maintain a low-sodium, high-fiber diet.
High-sodium diet can cause hypertension and atherosclerosis, so do not consume excessive sodium salt to reduce the occurrence of complications of diabetes. You can eat some soluble fiber, which can improve the metabolism of cholesterol, fat, and sugar, and can also help with weight loss.
2. Diabetes patients need to limit starch and avoid sugar.
Starch provides the body with the energy it needs, but excess starch is converted into sugar in the body, which can aggravate diabetes. Therefore, the intake of starch should be limited, and sugar is especially forbidden for diabetes patients as it directly worsens the condition.
3. Diabetes patients need to limit the intake of fats and proteins.
Diabetes is caused by insufficient insulin secretion, leading to metabolic disorders of sugar, fat, and protein. Since diabetes is prone to atherosclerosis, the intake of fats should be limited. Diabetes patients should avoid high-fat and high-cholesterol foods. Diabetes is also prone to kidney disease, and excessive protein intake can burden the kidneys, so protein intake should be limited.
4. Diabetes patients should avoid eating spicy and irritating foods.
Consuming spicy and irritating foods can worsen diabetes, so they should be avoided.
5. Diabetes patients should stay away from tobacco and alcohol.
Tobacco and alcohol can worsen diabetes, so they should be avoided. Drinking alcohol while taking hypoglycemic drugs can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and induce hypoglycemia, affecting the treatment of diabetes. In addition, ethanol can affect the metabolism of hypoglycemic drugs, thereby affecting drug treatment.
