Treating diabetes with food

Treating diabetes with food

Food is an indispensable need in the life of every person, and our dietary habits either lead us to health or disease, and organizing meals is important and necessary, But its importance increases for diabetics because the treatment of diabetes depends mainly on the type and quantity of food and the timing of meals.

In this topic, we discussed how the food items should be adapted so that they are suitable for the patient’s health condition (especially the level of sugar in the blood), as there is a close relationship between the quality of food and the level of blood sugar, so knowing what the food contains sugars, carbohydrates and proteins can adjust blood sugar to proportions At the end of the matter, we have put a special gift for diabetics, which will help you control your blood sugar level.

1- Diet specifications for a diabetic

It should be appropriate to the conditions, habits, preferences, and economic situation of the diabetic. It should contain various nutrients, in the following proportions:

Carbohydrates (carbohydrates – sugars) 50-55%.

Fat 30-35%.

Protein 20-25%.

As well as vitamins, and mineral salts.

It should be divided into small meals, not less than three meals.

It contains enough grains, vegetables, and high-fiber foods

It does not contain fast-digesting sugars in abundance, such as food sugar.

It should not contain saturated animal fats, such as ghee, and animal fats that are replaced by vegetable oils such as olive oil and corn.

2- Reducing sugars and starches

Limiting sugars and starches in your meals reduces the amount of sugar in the blood and reduces the amount of sugar lost in the urine. The patient today does not need to abstain from eating sugary and starchy substances completely, as he can take insulin that helps the body to benefit from food that contains sugars and starches, even if only partially. Doctors advise diabetics to reduce carbohydrates, especially sugars, and to be satisfied with (50-55%) of the daily value of calories (2.5 grams per kilogram of ideal body weight), preferably starches such as rice, brown bread, and pasta.

3- Carbohydrates cannot be avoided completely

Also, increasing the intake of carbohydrates (sugars and carbohydrates) has its detriments, so abstaining completely from eating it has harmful effects and serious problems. If a person with diabetes eats food that is devoid of carbohydrates and sugars, the body will break down fats and proteins to form the sugar needed to obtain energy, which leads to the emergence of ketone substances “acetone” in the blood, and these substances have serious harm to humans. And it may end in coma and death, and dependence on making sugar by breaking down proteins causes many health problems. Therefore, the food should contain a specific and rationed percentage of starches and sugars without excessive (50-55%) of the meal.