Diabetes is a significant illness in which the body fails to convert blood glucose into energy. A hormone called insulin does this conversion. In diabetics, the body can't produce insulin or use it properly to metabolize blood glucose into energy.
There are a few symptoms that indicate the presence of diabetes. A few of these symptoms include increase in appetite, dry skin, vision issues, breathing infections, weakness and fatigue, acute pissing and several others.
Diet plays a major role in effectively managing diabetes. The perfect diabetes diet should offer necessary nutrients needed and also help in maintaining satisfactory sugar levels in the body. Some factors which should be kept in mind while planning a diabetes diet include the age, sex, height, weight, the quantity of physical activity of a person. The diet also needs to be further adjusted according to the insulin dosage. If conditions like hypertension or cholesterol are also present, then one must exercise caution in planning the diet and make sure that these problems are not further worsened.
Ideally, you should start your day with a glass of warm water or lemon juice. Next, your breakfast should include a significant amount of fruits, especially those which are low in sugar such as guavas, pomegranates, pineapple and oranges. A slice of whole grain bread with butter and a glass of milk can also make for an ideal first meal of the day.
Your lunch should comprise of steamed green leafy vegetables, including cabbage, celery, beans, brinjal, asparagus, turnip, spinach, radish and tomatoes. You can also have whole wheat breads, butter milk and curd in your lunch. Additionally, you can have fresh fruit or vegetable juice in the afternoon.
A dinner of fresh vegetables and cottage cheese makes for an ideal diabetes dinner. If you still feel the hunger pangs, drink a glass of milk along with a light snack.
One food that proves to be extremely beneficial for diabetics is bitter gourd. This vegetable comprises of plant insulin that lowers your blood sugar levels. If you are unable to eat the vegetable, try to drink bitter gourd juice between meals.
There are some food items that you should exactly refrain from if you are coping with diabetes. Processed flour products are a stern no-no. Stay away from foods like white bread, chocolates, pastries, white rice, puddings and anything made of refined cereals. Also limit your intake of tea and coffee as they can hamper your guts. Diabetics should also refrain from alcohol.
Besides eating healthy, you need to also opt for healthy cooking practices. Deep frying is a no-no. Go in for healthy cooking techniques such as boiling, broiling, baking or saut. Steaming is the best cooking methodology. If you're a non vegetarian then choose reduced fat meat. Do not eat red meat as it is heavy in fat. Condiments are also loaded in sugar so they have to be avoided. Try to use ketchup, mustard and other dressings to minimum possible.
Following these diet advices would help you manage your diabetes much more effectively!
