Diabetes patients should definitely not consume too much sugar. The basic principle for diabetes patients is to avoid foods that can quickly raise blood sugar levels, as well as foods high in sugar, starch, and fat, as they can easily be converted into glucose.
【Healthy Diet for Diabetes】
For diabetes patients, they should not eat rice in large quantities, consume excessive amounts of fruits, or indulge in desserts. So what can they eat? Which foods should they avoid? Nutrition experts have developed a "three should" and "three should not" healthy diet plan for diabetes patients.
So what foods are good for diabetes patients? Is it enough to consume foods that help lower blood sugar levels? Not entirely. After being diagnosed with diabetes, most patients start taking medication to lower blood sugar levels. If they are taking metformin, they should supplement with vitamin B12 because this medication affects its absorption.
In addition, for patients taking acarbose, this medication delays the absorption of glucose in the intestines. Therefore, patients taking this medication should not only consume carbohydrates (starch and fat), but also supplement with a certain amount of protein. Generally, if you consume 5 liang of food in one meal, 1 liang should be protein. For patients taking sulfonylurea drugs, these medications mainly stimulate insulin secretion and increase the burden on the pancreas. It is recommended to switch medications.
For patients using insulin, it is important to carry a few sugar tablets with them to prevent low blood sugar levels. Regardless of the stage of diabetes, considering the close relationship between diabetes and its complications with "oxidative stress," it is recommended to consume more foods with strong antioxidant properties. Foods high in vitamin E and vitamin C, for example, are beneficial. The general principle is that the stronger the antioxidant effect, the better.
【Sources of Carbohydrates】
1. Grains contain 70%~75% carbohydrates, potatoes contain 20%~25% carbohydrates, and root vegetables and beans contain 50%~60% carbohydrates.
2. Nuts with higher starch content, such as chestnuts and water chestnuts.
3. Fruits and vegetables contain small amounts of monosaccharides, as well as fiber and pectin.
4. Table sugar mainly consists of sucrose, which provides monosaccharides and disaccharides.
