With over 422 million people affected by Diabetes, it makes it one of the most common diseases in the present times, with its effects ranging from basic to severe. The disease is caused by the malfunctioning of pancreatic cells due to the fluctuation in the insulin level of the body. Diabetes is of 2 broad types: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
In the case of Type 1, the body doesn’t produce a sufficient level of insulin in the body, while in the case of Type 2, the insulin is produced, but the human body doesn’t respond to it. This disease can be significantly controlled with the help of an appropriate diet. People with this disease are advised to stick to a strict and sustainable diabetic diet plan along with a focus on a well-maintained lifestyle which can help to curb the disease to a large extent. So here in this article, we will be talking about the best diet plans for diabetes patients.
The level of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and essential vitamins & minerals must be consumed in an ideal proportion so that the body of the patient can tackle this disease. As the effects of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes differ to some extent, but some dietary tips will surely be of great benefit for a diabetic person. Let us now talk about the food items that should be consumed as well as some that should be avoided for the situation to remain balanced.
Green Vegetables
Green vegetables like spinach, beans, broccoli, etc., must be added to the daily diet of a diabetic patient. Apart from their great nutritious value, these veggies are also known to stabilize the level of blood sugar. Diabetic patients often face problems related to digestion, for which consuming green vegetables in an appropriate manner is an ideal solution.
Nuts and Seeds
Dry nuts and seeds are part of the daily diet for many of us, but people suffering from diabetes must consume some of the nutritious and well-known nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc. Not only do they help in supporting the health of the human heart but also useful in lowering LDL (bad cholesterol). Pumpkin, Chia, Sunflower, and flaxseeds are some of the easily available seeds that will help in maintaining an ideal metabolism.
Selected Dairy Items
People suffering from diabetes can add some of the refined dairy items that would fulfill the fat requirement of the human body. These products must be low in fat but enriched with the correct amount of calcium, potassium, and other important minerals. These include yogurt, low-fat milk, or cheese. These are some common sources of healthy fats that help in the regulation of the overall body and help in maintaining ideal body weight as well.
Fruits
The most common fruits that are recommended for diabetic patients include berries, melons, apples, and citric fruits. We must note that the reason these fruits are allowed to be a part of a diabetic diet is that they contain a limited amount of sugar along with a huge number of additional health benefits.
Quality Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates can be of great benefit for people with either type of diabetes. These consist of whole grains, beans, brown rice, oatmeal, etc. The interesting part of these carbs is that they allow the patient to not feel hungry for a longer period and also help in controlling the cravings.
Protein
Protein has a large number of sources, but a diabetic person must choose carefully his/her sources of protein. Lean protein sources like chicken breast, egg whites, fish (with minimum fat level) can be chosen to fulfill the protein requirement of the body.
What must be avoided?
There are food items that must be avoided by the people facing diabetes.
Sugar: It is obvious that the primary thing that should be neglected is sugar. The diabetic person must eliminate the processed sugar and limit the natural sugars as well.
Fried Items: All kinds of junk food items must be avoided as they contain simple carbohydrates and also increase the LDL in the body.
Aerated/Carbonated Drinks: The calorie level, even in a small amount of these drinks is extremely huge. They must be eradicated from the daily lives of diabetic patients as they pose a high risk of blood sugar fluctuations. Many such drinks also comprise caffeine that is again a very crucial element for a diabetic diet.
Packaged food: Avoiding packaged food can have immediate positive effects on our lives. Frozen and processed food contains preservatives/chemicals that are not fit for a person facing diabetes.
Quantity Control
The thumb rule for creating an ideal diet for a person with diabetes is that the person’s plate must be filled with an appropriate amount of all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, etc. An ideal meal for such persons will consist of food that will maintain a required level of insulin, blood sugar, and body weight.
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