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Diabetes
and Diet
You've
recently been diagnosed with diabetes and enough of what the doctor said has
sunk in that you realize you need to closely evaluate your diet. Although
there was probably a lot of "don't eat this" and "be sure to
watch out for that," hopefully there was also some encouragement,
because a diagnosis of diabetes is not a sentence to a future of tasteless,
bland cuisine.
How Does Diabetes Affect Diet?
Normally, the body produces a hormone called insulin. With diabetes, the
ability to make or utilize insulin is impaired. Without insulin, the body
can't properly use glucose, the simple sugar the body produces from the food
we eat. Insulin is the key that unlocks cells and lets the glucose enter,
thus providing energy for critical cell metabolism.
The regulation of blood sugar in the non-diabetic is automatic, adjusting to
whatever foods are eaten. For the diabetic, however, extra care must be
taken to balance food intake (and the resultant impact on blood sugar
levels) with insulin injections, exercise and any other glucose altering
activity.
Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes?
Some recommendations for a diabetic diet depend on the type of diabetes
you have. In Type 1 diabetes the focus is mostly on matching food intake to
insulin. You'll need to know when your insulin peaks and how quickly you
metabolize different foods. In Type 2 diabetes the concern may be more
oriented to weight loss in order to improve the body's ability to utilize
the insulin it does produce.
In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as in gestational diabetes, the
overall goal is to gather enough nutritional information to maintain a
healthful diet and avoid large fluctuations in your blood sugar levels.
What Is the Glycemic Index?
Not all carbohydrates are created equal, nor will they all affect your
blood sugar in the same way. Researchers have created a glycemic index
that ranks foods according to their ability to raise blood sugar.
Resources:
Diabetes
Breakthrough Formula
Find
wholefood and foodmatrix products at our site- plus lots more.
Diabetes
Counseling Page
Diet;
Exercise; Medications -- oral agents or insulin; Medical Care American
Diabetes
The
Diabetic Daily Log
The
Diabetic Daily Log (TDDL) computer software will track daily
activities of a diabetic. The Log will record glucose test results
prior meals and before and after exercise insulin/pill medication
Diabetes
Diet and Nutrition Guide by Lifeclinic
A complete
diabetes diet guide including diabetic recipes expert advices
Diabetes
Symptoms Resource
Resource
monitoring blood sugar with glucose meters gestational and juvenile
diabetes
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