Diet for diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of diseases associated with reduced glucose absorption. As a result, its concentration in the blood increases significantly.

Diabetes mellitus develops for various reasons. Some types of diseases are due to genetic predisposition, while others are linked to lifestyle or environmental factors.

The disease causes significant damage to the body. Prolonged excess glucose (sugar) in the blood gradually destroys the walls of blood vessels and can lead to kidney and heart failure and the death of nerve cells. But such complications can be prevented. The main thing is to follow the doctor's recommendations for treatment and adjust the diet.

Types of diabetes

Depending on the mechanism of formation of the pathology, there are two main types of diabetes mellitus: 1st and 2nd.

In addition, there are other types of diabetes:

• potential (prediabetes) a condition in which blood sugar is at the upper limit of normal, but does not exceed it;
• insipidus is a disease in which the body lacks antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or the kidneys lose sensitivity to it. As a result, diabetes-like symptoms appear: thirst, frequent urination, weakness;
• gestation is a temporary condition that develops during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood glucose levels;
• latent diabetes mellitus, which develops asymptomatically for a long period (similar to type 2 diabetes), but at the same time, according to the mechanism of development, is closer to type 1 diabetes (malfunction of the immune system);
• a labile form of diabetes mellitus, in which even constant insulin therapy does not eliminate unreasonable spikes in blood sugar;
• a kidney disease in which the kidneys stop filtering fluids. As a result, symptoms similar to diabetes appear: frequent need to urinate and a strong feeling of thirst;
• postoperative condition that develops after pancreatic surgery;
• pancreatic disease, occurring against the background of chronic pathologies of the pancreas (for example, chronic pancreatitis);
• extrapancreatic disease, which occurs against the background of chronic pathologies, but can gradually lead to rupture of the pancreas.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

In this type of disease, the body's immunity destroys the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin. As a result, insulin does not enter the blood and does not transport glucose into cells. For this reason it remains in the vessels and gradually destroys them.

Type 1 diabetes most often develops in children and adolescents, although it can occur at any age

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually appear acutely.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

• strong thirst and hunger,
• weakness,
• frequent urination,
• sudden weight loss,
• blurred vision.

Without treatment, these symptoms are accompanied by signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (one of the complications of diabetes): thirst, weakness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty concentrating. The person may even fall into a coma.

People with type 1 diabetes take insulin their entire lives.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

In this case, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the cells are insensitive to it, so they cannot absorb glucose and its concentration in the blood increases.

Excess weight is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus can develop unnoticed for a long time, so people do not always notice the first symptoms of the disease.

Possible symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

• frequent urination;
• strong thirst;
• hungry even after eating;
• fatigue;
• blurred vision;
• wounds that heal slowly;
• darkening of the skin on the elbows and knees;
• tingling, pain or numbness in the arms and legs.

Risk of developing diabetes

Types of diets for diabetes

There is no special diet for diabetes mellitus, but people with this diagnosis are often mistakenly advised to choose one of the strict nutritional systems that supposedly will help overcome the disease. For example, completely eliminate carbohydrates from the diet, replace them with proteins, eat only buckwheat porridge or adhere to another mono-diet.

No carbohydrate diet

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for cells. They come in three types: sugar, starch and fiber. Sugars are simple carbohydrates, including glucose. Natural sugars are found in fruits and vegetables, artificial (added) sugars are found in confectionery, sauces and canned food. Starch and fiber are complex carbohydrates. Starch is found in fruits, seeds and tubers of plants, fiber is found in fruits and vegetables, wholemeal bread and pasta.

Glucose is a carbohydrate that causes the main disorders in diabetes mellitus. For this reason, advocates of a carbohydrate-free diet believe that eliminating glucose and, at the same time, all carbohydrates from the diet will help stop the disease. This is wrong.

A healthy percentage of carbohydrates in the diet is 50/55%.

Carbohydrates are a source of energy, so you should not completely exclude them from your diet, and moreover it is quite difficult, because they are found in almost all foods.

In the absence of carbohydrates, the body switches to obtaining energy from fats and proteins, the proportion of which, when following a diet of this type, usually increases due to the consumption of red meat. And this is a risk factor for heart disease and colorectal cancer.

Furthermore, carbohydrate sources such as fruits, vegetables and legumes contain many nutrients and minerals, the deficiency of which negatively affects health and can worsen diabetes.

Protein-rich diet

A protein, or high-protein, diet is a diet in which the daily protein intake exceeds the norm (0. 8 g per 1 kg of weight) and represents more than 15-16% of the total calorie intake.

There is no consensus on whether people with diabetes should eat more protein. However, its excess increases some health risks.

Excess protein in the diet increases the load on the kidneys and stones can begin to form inside them. In addition, proteins are found mainly in meat and dairy products, so when following such a diet there is a high probability of vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to the fact that fruits and vegetables are excluded from the diet.

Buckwheat diet

The buckwheat diet is a single-product diet with strict restrictions. The diet of such a diet consists of 70% buckwheat, to which other low-fat foods are gradually added: vegetables, dried fruits, white meat, fish.

Cereals for the buckwheat diet are prepared in a special way: they are not boiled, but poured with boiling water and left for 4-6 hours

The main disadvantage of such a diet is the limited range of foods consumed. For this reason, a person may lack beneficial vitamins and minerals. In addition, following a buckwheat diet is psychologically difficult: it may seem that nothing is allowed. Then the risk of slipping and overeating high-calorie foods increases significantly.

Diet for type 1 diabetes

There is no special diet for people with type 1 diabetes, but it is important for people with this diagnosis to count the amount of carbohydrates they eat each day and take into account the glycemic index of foods. Furthermore, they should adhere to the principle, or method, of a healthy dish.

The amount of carbohydrates in the diet of a person with type 1 diabetes on average should not exceed 17 units of bread per day.

The amount of carbohydrates a person with diabetes can normally tolerate varies from person to person and depends on weight, level of physical activity, daily calorie needs, and how the body metabolizes carbohydrates.

You can calculate the necessary amount of carbohydrates per day with a nutritionist or your doctor. After you convert the carbohydrates you eat into bread units, your doctor will help you determine how much insulin you need to absorb glucose. Over time, a person will learn to calculate it himself.

Table of correspondence of carbohydrate-containing products to bread units

Product	1 XE (approximately 15 g carbohydrates)
White bread	1 piece
Borodino bread	1 piece
Buckwheat	1 tablespoon (dry)
Semolina	1 tablespoon (dry)
Potato	1 medium tuber
Orange	1 piece
Strawberry	10 pieces
Apple	1 piece
Milk	1 glass
Milk-based ice cream	⅔ portion (without glass)

Glycemic index

The glycemic index (GI) is a number that shows how the foods you eat affect your blood glucose levels.

The glycemic index is not calculated independently; it is usually indicated on the food packaging.

Foods with a low glycemic index are thought to raise blood sugar levels slightly and are broken down more slowly, so you stay full longer. High glycemic index foods are digested faster and also significantly increase blood sugar levels.

All carbohydrate-containing products are divided into three groups:

• skimmed milk, apples, peanuts with low glycemic index (from 55);
• with medium GI (from 56 to 69) - spaghetti, buckwheat, ice cream;
• with high GI (70 and above) - white bread, rice milk, white rice.

It is useful for a person with diabetes to know the glycemic index of foods. This way you will be able to include low glycemic index foods in your diet and will not allow blood glucose spikes. However, other factors need to be taken into consideration.

Research shows that the amount of carbohydrates consumed, rather than their index, has a greater impact on blood glucose levels. Simply put, you can also overeat apples to the point of hyperglycemia. Therefore, for most people with diabetes, the best tool for monitoring blood glucose levels is counting carbohydrates.

Healthy plate method

The Healthy Plate Method divides foods into five main groups: fruits and vegetables, slow-release carbohydrates, dairy, proteins and fats. You can combine these groups using a regular plate.

Fruits and vegetables should make up a third or half of it. Slow carbohydrates: a third or so. The remaining part is occupied by dairy products, a little more by protein foods and a small part by fats.

The nutritional principle of the healthy plate method

How to assemble a healthy dish:

• Step 1.We select a dish. Its diameter should be equal to the length of the palm.
• Step 2.Place the vegetables and fruit on a plate. They can be in any form: fresh, stewed, boiled, canned. The portion should take up half the plate or a little less.
• Step 3.Divide the rest of the plate in half. We put slow carbohydrates in the first half-grain products, jacket potatoes, wholemeal bread or pasta. We fill the remaining quarter with protein sources: lentils, beans, peas, fish, eggs, lean meat.

Additionally, people with type 1 diabetes should follow important healthy eating principles:

• drink according to thirst;
• eat less salt - no more than one teaspoon (5-6 g) per day;
• limit the consumption of trans fats (found in many prepared and processed foods - fast food, cakes and pastries);
• reduce the consumption of saturated fats (present in sweet pastries, fatty meats, sausages, butter and lard).

Anyone with type 1 diabetes should discuss their diet with a dietitian to determine the best nutrition and exercise plan for insulin use.

Diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Since foods containing carbohydrates directly affect blood sugar levels, a balanced carbohydrate diet is one of the main indications in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

In order not to count the amount of carbohydrates consumed, doctors recommend that people with type 2 diabetes eat according to the principle of a healthy dish (as in type 1 diabetes). The emphasis in the diet is on increasing the proportion of non-starchy vegetables, fiber and lean protein.

Furthermore, this diet is rich in fiber, the consumption of which helps avoid blood sugar spikes and promotes weight loss.

Fiber is digested more slowly, which means it ensures a feeling of satiety for a long time.

When eating with the healthy plate method, at each meal you should mentally divide your plate into three parts. Half should be filled with non-starchy vegetables, fresh or cooked. It could be lettuce, cauliflower, green beans, tomatoes.

A quarter of the plate should be occupied by low-fat protein sources: baked fish, boiled meat, legumes, tofu. The portion of protein on your plate should fit in the palm of your hand.

The remaining quarter is made up of complex carbohydrates such as wholemeal bread and cereals. Their portion should be the size of a fist.

Additionally, you can add a portion of healthy fat (for example, a few slices of avocado) or dress the lettuce with a tablespoon of unrefined olive oil.

Diet for gestational diabetes

Foods directly affect blood sugar levels, so a healthy, balanced diet helps manage gestational diabetes and pregnancy.

There is no single correct diet that is best for women with gestational diabetes. The point is, what works for one person may not work for another. But there are several common diets that help control the disease.

DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)

DASH, or Diet to Control Hypertension, was developed for people who suffer from high blood pressure. Over time, doctors and scientists have found that such a diet helps against other diseases, including gestational diabetes.

Thus, a study of 52 women with gestational diabetes found that following the DASH diet for 4 weeks led to a reduction in the need for insulin treatment and fewer cesarean deliveries.

According to the DASH diet, your diet should include:

• low-sodium foods (no more than 2, 300 mg of sodium per day, equivalent to 1 teaspoon of salt);
• fruit;
• vegetables;
• Whole grains;
• low-fat dairy products;
• lean meat and fish;
• legumes and nuts;
• vegetable oils.

Limit consumption or exclude from the diet:

• foods high in saturated fat (red meat, full-fat dairy, coconut and palm oil);
• sweets, sweetened juices and sweetened carbonated drinks, alcohol.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is a food program based on the diet of the French, Spanish, Italian and Greek populations. It consists of vegetables, fruits, protein sources, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and olive oil.

The Mediterranean diet involves consuming at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. One serving corresponds to 80 grams of fresh fruit and vegetables or 30 grams of dried fruit.

A serving of fruit or vegetables is, for example, a medium-sized apple, half a cup of cucumbers or carrots, or a cup of leafy greens.

The main source of unsaturated fats in the Mediterranean diet is olive oil. Healthy fats are also found in nuts, seeds, olives and fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna, salmon, trout).

With the Mediterranean diet you should eat fish twice a week.

When following the Mediterranean diet, some foods are not consumed at all or the quantity in the diet is limited. For example, you should eat red and processed meat less often, no more than twice a week. Dairy products are replaced with low-fat, fermented ones, such as Greek yogurt or low-fat cheese.

The Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. This diet is rich in fiber, which is digested slowly, prevents blood sugar swings and helps maintain a healthy weight.

Healthy plate method

Also, as with other types of diabetes, doctors recommend that women with gestational diabetes use the healthy plate method.

Products are divided into five main groups: fruits and vegetables, slow carbohydrates, dairy products, proteins and fats.

Using these groups you can assemble your own healthy dish. Fill half your plate with vegetables, herbs and fruit, a third with slow carbohydrates (e. g. grains, whole-wheat pasta), a third with low-fat protein sources (fish, white meat, dairy), the rest with healthy fat foods vegetables.

In stores you can buy plates with dividers so as not to assemble a healthy plate by eye

Often such dishes are sold in the children's department

Examples of diet for gestational diabetes with the healthy plate method

Breakfast:

• 1 apple,
• a handful of lettuce with a spoonful of olive oil, ½ cucumber,
• 2 slices of wholemeal bread,
• 1 hard boiled egg,
• sugar-free yogurt.

Dinner:

• a portion of fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, Korean carrots);
• a handful of brown rice;
• a piece of baked white fish;
• a handful of nuts.

Dinner:

• Baked Chicken breast,
• boiled green beans,
• green salad with eggs,
• a few pieces of cheese.

Diet for diabetes in children

Children very often suffer from type 1 diabetes, so they have to monitor their blood sugar levels and take insulin injections throughout their lives.

Typically, a typical school or daycare meal plan is very similar to what people with diabetes should follow. In the room you can eat everything except products containing pure sugar: for example, it is better to replace compote with unsweetened tea or water.

Depending on what the child eats, he or his parents determine the necessary dose of insulin to be administered. As a rule, the menu in canteens is prepared a week in advance, so that you can find out in advance what the child will eat.

Another important condition is to ensure that the child has snacks several times a day. This will help avoid a sharp drop in blood sugar - hypoglycemia, which can make you faint.

Precursors of hypoglycemia: pale skin, excessive sweating, trembling hands, weakness

A mild attack of hypoglycemia can be quickly relieved by drinking a sweet juice, eating a few sugar cubes or taking a glucose tablet. The child or parent should always have all this at hand: in a briefcase or bag.

Additionally, it is important to explain to the teacher or caregiver that the child should always have a snack available. Preferably at the same time. And before a physical education lesson, he definitely needs to measure his blood sugar and eat something with carbohydrates. This will help avoid a hypoglycemic attack because exercise causes the body to burn glucose faster.

Dessert recipes for people with diabetes

People with diabetes often crave forbidden sweets, making it difficult for them to stick to a healthy diet. However, there are many sweets that contain large amounts of protein and fiber and do not lead to blood sugar spikes.

The carbohydrate content in all indicated recipes does not exceed 15 g or 1 unit of bread. Stevia can be replaced with any regular sugar substitute.

panna cotta

One serving of dessert contains 335 kcal, 2 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates, 4 g of total sugars and 0 g of added sugars

Cooking time: 15 minutes.

The dessert must be prepared in advance because it will take time to harden after cooking (at least 3 hours).

Ingredients:

• 1, 5 tbsp. L. dry gelatin
• 60 ml of cold water
• 60 ml of hot water
• 2 cups heavy cream (over 30%)
• 2 teaspoons. vanillin
• stevia to taste (about 4 g of powder)
• a pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Pour the gelatine into a bowl with cold water and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Pour in the hot water and mix well until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
2. Add all the other ingredients and mix until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
3. Pour the mixture into glasses and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

The finished panna cotta can be decorated with fresh berries.

Chocolate peanut butter fudge

One serving of dessert contains 76 kcal, 7 g fat, 3 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates, 1 g total sugars and 0 g added sugars

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 200 g dark chocolate (2 standard bars)
• 200g unsweetened peanut butter
• 4 teaspoons. stevia powder
• ½ tsp. vanillin
• a pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a bain-marie.
2. Mix all the other ingredients with the melted chocolate.
3. Pour the mixture into a silicone pan. Cool to room temperature. Cut into pieces before serving.

Pumpkin cheesecake mousse

One serving of dessert contains 136 kcal, 8 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates, 2 g of fiber, 8 g of total sugars and 5 g of added sugars

Cooking time: 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 150 g of pumpkin puree
• 150 g of ricotta or low-fat ricotta
• 1, 5 tbsp. L. honey or maple syrup
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp. vanillin
• a pinch of salt
• 50 g of Greek yogurt
• Almond flakes for garnish

Preparation:

1. Mix the pumpkin puree, ricotta, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until smooth.
2. Cover the cup with the resulting mixture with a lid or cling film and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Before serving, divide the mixture into glasses, garnish with yogurt and almond petals.

Apple and cinnamon popcorn

One serving of dessert contains 154 kcal, 9 g fat, 2 g protein, 15 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 5 g total sugars and 0 g added sugars

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon. L. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. L. dried popcorn kernels
• ¾ tsp. cinnamon
• 100 g of dried apples

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
2. Place 1-2 kernels of popcorn in the pan. Once popped, you can pour in the remaining popcorn.
3. Cover the pan with a lid and wait until all the grains open. Shake the pan occasionally.Carefully!Do not open the lid until the popcorn has cooled because the hot oil or hot kernels could burn your skin.
4. Sprinkle the finished popcorn with cinnamon and apple slices.

Gogol-Mogol

One serving of dessert contains 155 kcal, 9 g fat, 6 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates, 6 g total sugars and 0 g added sugars

Cooking time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium eggs
• 5. 5 cups of whole milk
• 0. 5 cups cream (more than 30%)
• stevia to taste (about 4 g of powder)
• a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Place all the ingredients except the nutmeg in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into glasses and sprinkle with nutmeg.

The finished eggnog can be decorated with a cinnamon stick.