Best foods for type-2 diabetics
People diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, should take steps to control their blood sugar. However, this does not mean that their diet is vastly different from the general population. The main emphasis is losing weight and eating right. Below are some foods that can help in weight management and the prevention dangerous spikes in blood glucose:
1.Choose complex carbohydrates over simple carbohydrates- Keeping sugar levels stable is a top priority for diabetics. That is why complex carbohydrates are a better source of energy compared to simple carbohydrates that produce spikes in the bloodstream and cause serious problems. Try to avoid sweet drinks, cakes, candies or at the very least try to take them in very small quantities. Instead, choose complex carbohydrates like whole wheat, brown rice, beans, oats, quinoa and whole wheat pasta as they are slowly digested and absorbed into the blood, thus producing a gradual and consistent sugar level instead of unpredictable spikes.
2.Increase the amount of fiber you eat- Fiber is a type of carbohydrate; however, it is not broken down by the body and does not contribute any calories. Fiber has two kinds: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber keeps the digestive tract working (i.e. whole wheat bran) while soluble fiber can lower cholesterol. TheNew England Journal of Medicinefeatured a study where diabetics more or less consumed 50 grams of soluble fiber daily. The study indicated that those who had more fiber were able to control their blood glucose much better than those who didn’t. An example of this type of fiber is oatmeal. Moreover, fiber adds bulk to what you eat, helping you manage your appetite and keeps those calories in check. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of this nutrient.
3.Don’t forget your proteins- proteins play a role in weight control. A study conducted in Sweden revealed that increasing protein intake can reduce weight faster than limiting carbohydrate consumption, moreover, protein rich meals tend to make people more alert than sugar or carbohydrate rich meals.
4.Use herbs and spices to flavor you dishes- Using natural products instead of food additives to flavor food is a great way to increase the medicinal value of your diet. TheJournal of Nutrition and Food Sciencefeatured a study where it was revealed that the phytochemicals in common household spices can actually improve insulin activity, presenting a more natural way in treating and preventing type-2 diabetes. Examples of these common household spices are cinnamon, garlic, basil and oregano. These spices have also been found to lower blood pressure, increase platelet aggregation and protect blood vessels, greatly reducing cardiovascular disease associated with type-2 diabetes.
There is no predetermined standard diet for diabetes. The methods of controlling blood sugar are different for each person. Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are main concerns for patients receiving insulin and clearly there are a lot of factors to consider. Having a thorough understanding of your specific diabetes condition in consultation with your Naturopathic Doctor can go a long way in managing the onset of the symptoms of diabetes.
The Glycemic Index
Blood glucose levels are affected by the kind food taken. Food having the greatest effect is carbohydrates because they are processed into glucose from the intestine and into the blood. All carbohydrates, however, are not equally created. Some can be digested at different levels and produce varying effects in raising the glucose level after a meal.
This effect has been quantified by the Glycemic Index. According to theUniversity of Sydneywebsite, food with high GI are those rapidly digested and absorbed resulting to a marked fluctuation in blood sugar levels. The foods with low GI, on the other hand, are slowly digested and absorbed, producing a slow and gradual rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. Studies have shown that a low GI diet improves both glucose and lipid profiles in people with diabetes since the diet also reduces insulin levels and insulin resistance. It also has the added benefit of weight control since it helps control appetite and delays hunger.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1999 recommended to people of industrialized countries to base their diets on low GI food to prevent the diseases of affluence like diabetes, obesity and coronary disease.
Sources for this article:
http://ginews.blogspot.com/2012/03/gi-update.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000313.htm
http://www.everydayhealth.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/028681_diabetes_healthy_diet.html
http://www.glycemicindex.com/about.php
http://www.cyberdiabetes.com/
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