Diabetic Diets Can Be a Lot Like Everyone Else’s
Posted on 14. Dec, 2009 by Karl Graus in Diet & Nutrition
Diabetes is a diseases that is caused by eleveated levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood stream. This is caused by many different things : your body’s resistance to insulin, or a pancreas that doesn’t generate the proper amount of insulin for you to function properly. Insulin is a hormone that the body uses to convert glucose into energy. In either situation, it is very important for diabetics to maintain control of their blood sugar levels so that that can avoid serious health problems, including the risk of falling into a diabetic coma. Beliefs on what constitutes the proper diet for diabetics vary widely.
For a very long time, those with diabetes were told to completely stay away from all carbohydrates and sugars. Sugar was considered to be the worst offender because it is more easily broken down into glucose, therefore it gets into the bloodstream faster than other carbohydrates. Diabetic diets incorporated a variety of artificial sweeteners instead of actual sugar to cope with this problem.
Currently, physicians understand that sugar and carbs are simply everywhere, so it is unrealistic to expect diabetics to avoid them completely. There are some brands of artificial sweeteners that don’t add any calories or carbohydrates to food, but it’s important to remember that just because a food is sugar-free doesn’t guarantee it is safe for diabetics.
Ultimately, the diet for diabetics that should be followed is identical to a healthy diet for anyone. It’s entirely possible for diabetics to eat anything they like within reason. The difference is, it is essential that diabetics take the time to monitor their daily carbohydrate intake, and limit it if necessary. You have to look out for potatoes and pasta as much as sugary, sweet foods, as carbohydrates have sugars and starches in them as well.
The ideal diet for a diabetic would include more fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruit and veggies contain natural sugars that can be used by the body but are just enough unlike glucose to stop them from raising the blood glucose level. In addition, they contain more fiber, which helps the body to eliminate waste better and make the person feel full so that fewer calories are consumed.
It used to be said that diabetic meals should be prepared separately from non-diabetic meals; this is not true and has been debunked. The fact is that the best diet for diabetics is the same as the diet the rest of the family should follow. This should be a balanced diet of plenty of fruits and vegetables, along with the right amount of proteins and starches, and only a few fats.
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