“Diabetes mellitus is not a phrase, but a lifestyle,” endocrinologists never tire of repeating this phrase.Compliance with a therapeutic diet is one of the fundamental points in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, which allows the patient to lead a full life.
Diet for diabetes is the main component of treatment.With this disease, there is a deficiency of insulin, a special pancreatic hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.The main symptom of diabetes mellitus is an increase in blood sugar, but the violation of carbohydrate metabolism does not remain isolated, but leads to an imbalance of both protein and fat metabolism.
The diabetes diet isn't just about limiting carbs.The patient's diet also includes those foods that help normalize the functioning of other organs and systems usually affected by this endocrine disease.So, for example, with concomitant obesity, which occurs quite often, the menu includes as many vegetables as possible, which contain a small amount of calories but give a feeling of satiety: cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, peas, cabbage, lettuce.Considering that in many cases the liver also suffers from diabetes, the diet limits extractive substances (meat and fish broths), but always includes ricotta, soy and oat flakes, which have a beneficial effect on liver function.And damage to the cardiovascular system requires limiting salt in the diet of patients with diabetes.
The two existing types of diabetes require different dietary approaches.In type 1 diabetes, diet is not as important: the emphasis in treatment is on the administration of insulin, which makes the diet of these patients less limited.But with type 2 diabetes, diet is of paramount importance: in the initial stage of the disease, in many cases it is possible to control blood sugar levels only by following therapeutic dietary recommendations without prescribing glucose-lowering drugs.
However, a diet for diabetes of any type has general principles, compliance with which allows you to stabilize carbohydrate metabolism in one way or another.
Diet for patients with diabetes: basic principles
- Meals are frequent, regular, at the same time - at least 4 times a day.
- Uniform distribution of the calorie content and nutritional value of the diet between the main meals.
- Variety, including a wide range of products recommended for patients with diabetes.
- Using xylitol or sorbitol to sweeten foods.
- Monitoring the calorie content of the daily diet using special tables.
- Limit liquids to 1200 ml, including first courses.
- Inclusion in food of foods rich in vitamins: rosehip decoction, yeast, etc.
- Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with dietary adjustments depending on the results obtained.
Diet for type 2 diabetes
All therapeutic diets in modern medicine are usually marked with numbers for ease of use.In the case of diabetes, the classic diet is number 9, otherwise it is called "table n°9".
What is diet number 9 for diabetes?
Recommended dishes:
- bread (with particular attention to rye pastries) 200-300 g;
- soups with vegetable broth;
- boiled or steamed meat and poultry;
- boiled or steamed lean fish;
- vegetables: white cabbage or cauliflower, lettuce, rutabaga, cucumbers, radishes, beets, carrots, potatoes;
- eggs – 2 pieces per day;
- unsweetened fruits and berries: Antonov apples, oranges, lemons, cranberries, cranberries, red currants;
- kefir or yogurt – 200-400 ml per day;
- cottage cheese up to 200 mg per day;
- delicate sauces, including milk sauces;
- appetizers: vinaigrette, salad, jellied fish;
- drinks: tomato juice, tea with milk, unsweetened juices, sugar-free compotes;
- butter and vegetable oil – 40 g per day.
Limited use:
- cereals, legumes and pasta are consumed in a limited manner, reducing the consumption of bread;
- soups with weak fish or meat broth - no more than 2 times a week;
- sugar and sweets for diabetics - on the recommendation of a doctor;
- milk - as recommended by a doctor;
- cheese, cream, sour cream – limited;
- coffee.
Prohibited:
- chocolate, sweets, cakes, pastries, honey, jam and the like;
- pork and lamb fat;
- spicy, salty and smoked dishes:
- sweet fruits: bananas, raisins, grapes;
- alcohol in any form.
Table no.9 is a diet for diabetics during the period of stabilization of the disease.If for some reason the patient's condition worsens, the diet usually becomes more limited.In any case, only your doctor can provide final recommendations on your type 2 diabetes diet.
Diet for type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the diet is determined by the administration of insulin, so these same recommendations are usually followed by those patients with type 2 diabetes who require insulin injections.
The composition of this menu is not much different from the diet for type 2 diabetes, but sugar is completely excluded.Despite this ban, patients receiving insulin are strongly advised to always have a piece of sugar or candy with them, which may be necessary in case of threat of a hypoglycemic state - a state of low blood sugar, the severity of which can lead to a serious condition - coma.
Modern blood glucose meters and carbohydrate charts allow these patients to lead a more nutritionally sound lifestyle.The existing concept - one bread unit (XU), equal to 12 g of carbohydrates - allows patients with diabetes mellitus receiving insulin to periodically eat even non-recommended foods or eat more carbohydrates.However, for this, the patient must measure blood sugar before each meal and, based on the subsequent menu, expressed in XE, inject the necessary amount of short-acting insulin.To count grain units, use a special table.
All of the above does not mean that a patient with type 1 diabetes can eat everything in any quantity: one meal should contain no more than 7-8 XE.For overweight patients these restrictions are even more stringent.
A special feature of the type 1 diabetes diet is its high protein content.This requirement is especially relevant for patients with infectious complications and manifestations of trophic disorders of the limbs.
Only the attending physician should be involved in drawing up a detailed diet, alternating meals and hourly administration of insulin.
Weight loss diet for diabetes
Patients with diabetes, especially type 2, often suffer from excess weight.Therefore, the issue of limiting the calorie content of the diet for such patients may be especially relevant.However, none of the “fast” mono-diets should be used in this case.This prohibition is explained by the high risk of developing a severe hypoglycemic state (critically low blood sugar) if a balanced diet is disturbed, and in patients with type 1 diabetes and moderate type 2 diabetes, this is almost inevitable.
If you are overweight, a weight loss diet for diabetes involves a correction of the usual therapeutic diet No.9 with a reduced content of refined carbohydrates (sugar) and some restriction of fats.However, such decisions should not be made without consulting a doctor: only together with a doctor can the patient create a safe reduced-calorie diet.