Unfortunately, diseases such as type 2 diabetes affect more people every year. It is the second leading cause of death after cancer. The danger of such a disease is not only a constant increase in glucose, but also a violation of almost all functions of the body.
"Sweet" disease is not curable, you can only reduce the risk of complications and prevent the insulin-dependent type of diabetes. To normalize sugar levels, endocrinologists first of all prescribe a low-carbohydrate diet and regular exercise therapy. It turns out that type 2 diabetes diet and dietary treatment is the main and main therapy.
If it is not possible to achieve the desired result with the help of diet therapy, it is necessary to take hypoglycemic drugs. It is also necessary to control the amount of blood with a glucometer at home.
Causes and symptoms
Diabetes refers to diseases of the endocrine system in which the level of sugar in the blood is constantly elevated. This is caused by a decrease in the sensitivity of cells and tissues to the insulin hormone produced by the pancreas.
It is important to note that the body produces this hormone in sufficient quantities, but the cells do not react to it. This condition is called insulin resistance.
There is no single specific cause of type 2 diabetes, but doctors have identified risk factors, one of which is age 40. It is at this age that DM is usually diagnosed. But this does not mean that the disease has developed dramatically. Most likely, the patient simply ignored the symptoms of prediabetes for many years, thereby exhausting the body.
SD Features:
- thirst;
- dry mouth;
- slow healing of wounds and abrasions;
- frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- quick fatigue;
- drowsiness.
If at least one of the symptoms is observed, it is recommended to submit an analysis to an endocrinologist to rule out or confirm the presence of the disease. The diagnosis is very simple - venous and capillary blood supply. If you know the symptoms, the treatment will be more effective.
Diabetes is more common in the following categories of people:
- over 40 years old;
- overweight according to abdominal type;
- poor nutrition when the diet is dominated by light carbohydrates (sweets, flour products);
- sedentary lifestyle without proper physical activity;
- high blood pressure;
- presence of diabetes in close relatives.
In the treatment of "sweet" disease, it is necessary to follow a diet aimed at lowering blood glucose.
diet therapy
>Properly formulated therapeutic diet, together with moderate physical activity, becomes the main method of treatment of diabetes. One of the main rules is not to starve and not to overeat. The number of meals is six times a day. Last dinner at least a few hours before bed.
Type 2 Diabetes Diet and nutritional therapy can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Up to half of the daily diet should be vegetables. Also, the daily menu should include grains, fruits, meat or fish and dairy products.
The body of a person with diabetes suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals. This is due to the disruption of not only the endocrine system, but also metabolic processes. That's why a balanced diet is so important.
The main principles of the diet can be distinguished from the above:
- small meals, six times a day;
- minimum liquid consumption - two liters;
- do not starve and do not overeat;
- dinner should be light, drink a glass of sour milk or 150 grams of cottage cheese;
- fruits should be included in breakfast;
- when preparing vegetable dishes, use only seasonal products;
- Choose products according to GI.
All diabetic food should have a low glycemic index. Endocrinologists follow this indicator when creating diet therapy.
While observing the principles of nutrition, we should not forget about the permissible heat treatment aimed at the absence of bad cholesterol in the dishes.
Cooking is allowed in the following ways:
- boiling;
- for couples;
- in a microwave oven;
- baking in the oven;
- multivarka;
- stew, use a small amount of vegetable oil.
You should study the concept of GI separately and learn on your own how to create a diet based on personal taste preferences.
After all, the choice of products for diabetes is very wide and allows you to prepare many healthy dishes.
GI of products in diet therapy
The glycemic index is a measure of the effect of a particular food on raising blood sugar levels after eating. Products with a low GI contain complex digestible carbohydrates, which are not only necessary for the patient, but also give him a feeling of satiety for a long time.
Diabetics should choose food categories with low GI. On average, food should be no more than twice a week, and only occasionally can be a diet. High GI foods can raise glucose levels up to 4 mmol/l in a short period of time.
The glycemic index of foods is divided into three categories. But in addition to this value, it is necessary to pay attention to the calorie content of food. Thus, some foods have a value of zero units, but at the same time contain bad cholesterol and high calorie content.
Bright fat, contains no carbohydrates and has 0 units, but is completely anti-diabetic. GI Department:
- 0 - 50 units - low;
- 50 - 69 units - medium;
- More than 70 units - high.
There is a special table of foods with indexes to make it easier for the patient to create a menu for himself. Some products can significantly increase the index after thermal treatment - these are beets and carrots. Raw, they are allowed, but boiled under the ban.
Therapeutic diet allows you to prepare food from such vegetables:
- an onion;
- all types of cabbage - white and red, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli;
- garlic;
- eggplant;
- a tomato;
- string beans and asparagus;
- lentils;
- peas;
- squash;
- cucumber.
Many people are used to having potatoes on the table. And with "sweet" disease, it is better to avoid it because of high GI. In very rare cases, when it is still decided to use the roots, they should be pre-soaked in water overnight. Thus, you can get rid of starch and slightly reduce the index.
Vegetables for diabetes are a source of vitamins, trace elements and fiber. They prepare not only fresh salads, but also side dishes, as well as complex dishes. It is allowed to diversify the taste qualities with vegetables - spinach, lettuce, oregano, basil, dill and parsley.
Fruits are an equally important component of the diet. The daily allowed rate should not exceed 150 - 200 grams. Fruits, even with a low index, can not be juiced. With this treatment, they lose fiber and glucose quickly enters the bloodstream.
The following fruits and vegetables are allowed on the diet:
- cherry;
- apricot;
- pears;
- nectarine;
- dates;
- black and red currants;
- all varieties of citrus fruits - orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, pomelo and lime;
- wolf;
- sweet cherry;
- peach.
Dried fruits contain a lot of valuable substances, you should not consume more than 50 grams per day. Dried fruits are good to add to cereals, thus creating a complete food plate. Low GI dried fruits are prunes, prunes and figs.
Meat, offal, fish and seafood are also a daily part of the menu. At the same time, fish should be in the weekly diet at least three times. Choose lean meats and fish. Skin and fat residues are removed from them, which do not contain vitamins, but only bad cholesterol.
Endocrinologists recommend the following foods:
- chicken;
- rabbit meat;
- Turkey;
- beef;
- quail;
- chicken liver;
- beef liver;
- cow language;
- cow's lungs.
There are no restrictions on the choice of seafood. From fish you can choose pollock, hake, pike or perch.
Cereals are a source of energy, so they provide a feeling of satiety for a long time. Some of them have a high GI, in particular, white rice. Its alternative is brown (brown) rice, which has a GI of 50 units. It takes a little longer to cook - about 45 minutes.
Barley is considered the most valuable grain, its GI is only 22 units. Other types of cereals are also allowed:
- barley groats;
- buckwheat;
- beautiful;
- wheat porridge.
By the way, the thicker the porridge, the lower its index.
There are few restrictions on milk and sour milk products. All of them are based on the fat content of the food. Therefore, it would be better to avoid cream, margarine, and oil.
Medical treatment
If it is not possible to achieve the desired result with the help of diet therapy, then the doctor is forced to prescribe hypoglycemic drugs. Their choice in the pharmaceutical market is wide.
Self-medication is prohibited, because all pills have their own side effects. Only an endocrinologist can choose the right pills for the patient, taking into account the characteristics of his body and the course of the disease.
The purpose of hypoglycemic drugs is to increase the production of the insulin hormone in the cells of the pancreas, so that it is in the necessary amount in the blood.
In this case, if it is not possible to normalize the level of glucose in the blood, then the therapy includes several groups of hypoglycemic tablets.
Additional measures
If you have type 2 diabetes, treatment should include as much physical activity as possible. It serves as an excellent compensation for high sugar levels.
In other words, when exercising in the body, all metabolic processes are accelerated and glucose is absorbed faster.
At least half an hour a day should be devoted to this lesson. If it is not possible to exercise every day, then you should walk for at least forty minutes in the fresh air.
For type 2 diabetics, you can choose the following types of physical activity:
- yoga;
- Nordic walking;
- sports walking;
- to run;
- cycling;
- swimming.
If a person wants to study at home, there are many video courses for diabetics on the Internet.
If the training is outside the house and after them there is a feeling of hunger, then it is allowed to make additional food - a snack. An ideal option would be 50 grams of walnuts, which are packed with nutritious protein, low GI and great appetite suppressants. Just do not exceed the daily allowance, because such a product is high in calories.
From all of the above, it should be concluded that the appearance of diabetes can be reduced using only two rules: adherence to the principles of diet therapy for diabetes and regular exercise.