Diabetes mellitus does not have a clearly defined degree that can be expressed by numerical indices. Usually, mild, moderate and severe degrees of the course of the disease are distinguished. But there are two types of this disease - the firsttype (insulin-dependent) and the second type (insulin-independent).
It is especially important for such patients to follow the rules of rational nutrition, since in this case it is the correction of the diet that is the main method of treatment.
Why diet?
In type 2 diabetes, tissue sensitivity to insulin is impaired and insulin resistance occurs. Despite adequate production of this hormone, glucose cannot be absorbed and enters cells in the correct amounts, increasing its levels in the blood. As a result, the patient develops complications of the disease that affect nerve fibers, blood vessels, tissues of the lower extremities, retina of the eye, etc.
Most patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Due to their slow metabolism, the process of losing weight is not as fast as it is for healthy people, but it is very important for them to lose weight. Normalization of weight is one of the conditions for good health and maintaining blood sugar at the target level.
What to eat with diabetes to normalize tissue sensitivity to insulin and low blood sugar? The patient's daily menu should be reduced in calories, and contain mostly slow, not fast carbohydrates. Usually doctors recommend sticking to Diet No. 9. At the stage of losing weight, the amount of fat in dishes. The amount should be small (it is better to give preference to fats of vegetable origin). It is important for diabetics to get enough protein, as it is a building material and contributes to the gradual replacement of adipose tissue with muscle fibers.
Rational nutrition improves the sensitivity of tissues to insulin and normalizes the regulation of blood glucose levels.
The main goals of the diet for type 2 diabetes:
- Weight loss and body fat reduction;
- normalization of blood sugar levels;
- maintaining blood pressure within acceptable limits;
- lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood;
- Prevention of serious complications of the disease.
Diet for type 2 diabetes is not a temporary measure, but a method that must be followed consistently. It is the only way to keep blood sugar at a normal level and maintain good health for a long time. In most cases, Switching to proper nutrition is enough to keep diabetes under control. But even if the doctor recommends the patient to take hypoglycemic pills, it does not in any way cancel the diet. Without nutritional control, any medical practiceWill not bring lasting effect (even insulin injections).
Healthy natural foods help maintain normal blood sugar levels and control blood pressure.
food preparation methods
It is desirable for patients with type 2 diabetes to prepare food in a gentle manner. The best type of cooking is the culinary process such as steaming, boiling and baking. Fried foods are only eaten occasionally by diabetics. can, and it's better to cook them on a grill pan with a non-stick coating, in a small amount of vegetable oil, or even better. These cooking methods preserve the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients. In ready form, such dishes do not burden the pancreas and other organs of the digestive system.
You can also cook dishes in your own juices, choosing only low-calorie and low-fat foods. It is undesirable to add store-bought sauces, marinades and large amounts of salt to food. To improve the tasteFor, it is better to use permitted seasonings: greens, lemon juice, garlic, black pepper and dried aromatic herbs.
Meat
Meat is a very important source of protein for diabetics because it contains essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the human body. But when choosing it, you need to know some rules so as not to accidentally harm your health. Arrived. First of all, meat should be dietary. Chicken, turkey, rabbit and lean veal are best for sick people. Secondly, it should be completely fresh, it should not contain a large number of veins and muscle films, becauseThey take a long time to digest and can cause a feeling of heaviness, slowing down the intestines.
The amount of meat in the diet should be limited, but at the same time, the daily dosage should provide the person with a sufficient amount of protein. The distribution of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for each patient is selected individually by the attending physician. It depends on many factors. Depends - weight, body mass index, age, physical characteristics and the presence of concomitant diseases. Properly selected ratio of calories and nutrients ensures normal supply of the body with energy, vitamins and minerals.
Prohibited types of meat for diabetes:
- duck;
- duck;
- pork;
- mutton;
- Fatty beef.
Patients should not eat bacon, smoked meats, sausages and rich meat broth. It is permissible to cook soup with poultry meat, but after the first boil the water must be changed. You can not cook the soup with bone broth, as itis difficult to digest and creates an additional load on the pancreas and liver. The skin should always be removed from the poultry during the cooking process so that the excess fat does not get into the dish. It is always better to give preference to fillet and white meat, In which there is a minimum amount of connective tissue and fatty streaks.
It is desirable to maximize animal fats with vegetable fats. Olive, corn and flaxseed oils are considered most beneficial for diabetic patients.
a fish
Fish must be included in the diet of a diabetic patient at least once a week. It is a source of healthy proteins, fats and amino acids. Eating fish products helps in improving the condition of bones and muscles, And it also contributes to the prevention of heart diseases. According to the rules of the diet for diabetics, the most useful fish is allowed, lean fish, which is cooked in the oven or steamed.
Diabetics can eat tilapia, hake, pollock, tuna, cod. It is also advised to include red fish (trout, salmon, salmon) in your diet from time to time, as it is rich in omega acidsThese biologically active substances protect the body from the development of cardiovascular diseases and help reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol.
Patients should not eat smoked and salted fish, as this can cause problems with the pancreas, as well as provoke the appearance of edema and the development of hypertension. Since type 2 diabetes usually develops in middle-aged and elderly peopleHowever, for many of them the problems of hypertension are relevant. The use of very salty foods (including red fish) can increase the pressure and worsen the condition of the heart and blood vessels.
When cooking fish, it is better to add a minimum of salt to it, replacing it with other spices and seasonings. It is desirable to bake it without adding oil, since this product already contains a certain amount of healthy fats. filletIn order not to dry out, it can be cooked in a special plastic sleeve in the oven. Fish cooked in this way has more moisture and has a melting texture.
Diabetics are forbidden to eat fatty varieties of white fish (for example, pangasius, notothenia, herring, catfish and mackerel). Despite the pleasant taste, these products, unfortunately, can provoke the appearance of extra pounds andCan cause problems with the pancreas. Low-fat fish and seafood are a healthy natural source of vitamins and minerals that are fully absorbed by the body.
It is useful for diabetics to eat boiled seafood. Shrimp, squid and octopus contain a large amount of protein, vitamins and phosphorus.
vegetables
The diet for type 2 diabetes is based on a predominance of plant foods in the diet, so vegetables in any form should be an important part of the sufferer's diet. They contain very little sugar, and at the same time they provide fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. are rich in valuable chemical elements. The most useful vegetables for diabetes are green and red. This is due to the fact that they contain a large amount of antioxidants that prevent the formation of harmful free radicals. Tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers andEating green onions increases the immunity of a person and improves digestion.
The following vegetables are also useful for patients:
- Cauliflower;
- Jerusalem artichoke;
- Pumpkin;
- Onion and Blue Onion;
- broccoli;
- Raddish;
- Zucchini and Eggplant.
Beetroot is also very useful for diabetics, as they contain amino acids, enzymes and slow carbohydrates. This vegetable does not contain fat at all, hence its calorie content is low. Has antiseptic properties, boosts immunity and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Another important property of beetroot for diabetics is the smooth regulation of intestinal motility, which helps to avoid constipation and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
A balanced diet for type 2 diabetes also allows potatoes to be included in the diet, but this vegetable should not be a fundamental when choosing and preparing food. It contains a lot of starch and has a relatively high calorie content (compared to other vegetables). in comparison), so its quantity should be strictly limited.
In order for vegetables to only benefit the body, they must be properly prepared. If vegetables can be eaten raw, and the diabetic patient does not have any digestive problems, it is better to use them in this form, as itPreserves the maximum amount of useful elements, vitamins and minerals. But if the patient has concomitant problems with the gastrointestinal tract (for example, inflammatory diseases), all vegetables should be subjected to preliminary heat treatment.
It is highly undesirable to fry vegetables or fry them with a lot of butter and vegetable oil, as they absorb fat, and the benefits of such a dish will be much less than the harm. Fatty and fried foods are not only functional for the pancreas. Inhibit activity, but also often lead to a set of extra pounds.
Vegetables cooked with added oil are high in calories and can raise blood cholesterol levels.
Fruit
Some patients, after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, try to eliminate all fruits from the diet, except citrus, green apples and occasionally pears. But this is not necessary, as most fruits have a low glycemic index. And it contains a small amount of carbohydrates and calories. For diabetics, all fruits and berries with a low and medium glycemic index are useful, as they contain a lot of vitamins, organic acids, pigments and mineral compounds.
- Apple;
- stay;
- tangerines;
- Oranges;
- Grape;
- Apricot;
- plum;
- Current;
- cherry;
- cranberries;
- raspberries
Fruits contain carbohydrates, so their amount in the diet should be limited. It is recommended to eat them in the morning (maximum until 16: 00) so that sugar does not turn into body fat. Before going to bed and in the morning on an empty stomach, It is also better not to eat fruits, as this can irritate the gastric mucosa and lead to a set of extra pounds.
The forbidden fruits for type 2 diabetes are melons, watermelons and figs as they have a high glycemic index and are high in sugar. For the same reason, it is undesirable for patients to consume dried fruits such as dates and dried figs.
Peaches and bananas may be present in the diet of a diabetic patient, but it is recommended to eat them no more than once or twice a week. For daily use, it is better to give preference to plums, apples and citrus fruits, asThey help improve digestion and contain a lot of coarse fiber. They also contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the orderly, complete functioning of the whole organism.
Fruit is a healthy and tasty treat that can help you overcome the craving for forbidden sweet foods. For patients who eat fruits regularly, it becomes easier to follow the diet and daily routine.
Cereals and Pasta
What can patients eat from cereals and pasta? This list contains a lot of permitted products from which you can cook delicious and healthy dishes. It is cereals and pasta that should be a source of slow carbohydrates that the patient needs for brain function and energy. Products recommended by the doctor include:
- Buckwheat;
- oats that need to be cooked (not instant grain);
- Bulgur;
- Pea;
- durum wheat pasta;
- wheat berries;
- unpolished rice;
- Millet.
It is highly undesirable for diabetics to eat white rice, semolina and instant porridge. These products are high in carbohydrates, calories and some biologically valuable substances. Roughly speaking, these cereals only saturate the body and satisfy the feeling of hunger. Do. Excessive consumption of such grains can lead to weight gain and problems with the digestive system.
But even the permitted cereals should be properly cooked and eaten. It is best to cook porridge in water without adding oil and fat. It is better to consume them in breakfast, as carbohydrates provide energy to the patient throughout the day. These simple recommendations should always be remembered, because properly selected and cooked cereals will bring only benefit and will not harm human health.
With type 2 diabetes, you need to eat fractionally. It is recommended to break the daily diet into 5-6 meals.
What should I give up?
Patients with type 2 diabetes should completely exclude such dishes and foods from the diet:
- sugar and its products;
- fatty dishes prepared using a large amount of vegetable or butter;
- smoked meat;
- semi-finished products and fast food;
- Marinade;
- salted and pickled hard cheeses;
- Bakery products made from premium flour.
You can't make exceptions to the rules and sometimes use something from the prohibited list. With type 2 diabetes, the patient doesn't get injections of insulin, and the only chance to keep blood sugar at a normal level is by eating right. while adhering to the other recommendations of the attending physician.
sample menu for the day
It is better to make a menu for the day in advance, calculating its caloric content and the ratio of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in dishes. Table 1 shows the caloric content and chemical composition of some foods allowed with diet number 9. Guided by these data, the recommendations of the attending physician and the composition, which is always indicated on the packaging of products, you can easily create a diet with optimal energy value.
A sample menu for the day might look like this:
- breakfast - oatmeal, a slice of low-fat cottage cheese, whole grain bread without yeast;
- breakfast - nuts or an apple;
- lunch - vegetable broth, boiled chicken breast or turkey, buckwheat porridge, berry juice;
- afternoon snack - allowed fruit and a glass of rosehip broth;
- dinner - boiled fish with vegetables or low-fat cottage cheese, a glass of compote without sugar;
- Breakfast before bedtime - 200 ml of low-fat kefir.
The diet of type 2 diabetics can be really varied and tasty. The lack of sweet foods in it is compensated by healthy fruits and nuts, and fatty meats are replaced by dietary options. A big plus of this menu isThat it can be cooked for the whole family. Restriction in animal fats and sugar is useful even for healthy people, and in diabetics it is a prerequisite for maintaining general health for many years.