“Diabetes mellitus is not a phrase, but a way of life”, 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 a violation of carbohydrate metabolism does not remain isolated, but leads to an imbalance in protein and fat metabolism.
The diabetes diet isn't just about limiting carbohydrates.The patient's diet also includes foods that help normalize the functioning of other organs and systems that are usually affected by this endocrine disease.So, for example, with concomitant obesity, which happens quite often, the menu includes as many vegetables as possible that contain a small amount of calories, but give a feeling of satiety: cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, peas, cabbage, lettuce.Considering that in many cases of diabetes the liver also suffers, the diet limits extractives (meat and fish broths), but always includes cottage cheese, soy and oatmeal, which have a beneficial effect on liver function.And the damage to the cardiovascular system determines the limitation of 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 insulin administration, which makes the diet of these patients less limited.But with type 2 diabetes, diet is of paramount importance - at 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 hypoglycemic drugs.
However, a diet for diabetes of any type has general principles, adherence to which allows you to stabilize carbohydrate metabolism to one degree or another.
Diet for diabetes patients: 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 diabetes patients.
- Use xylitol or sorbitol to sweeten foods.
- Monitoring the calorie content of the daily diet using special tables.
- Limit liquid to 1200 ml, including first courses.
- Inclusion of foods rich in vitamins in the diet: rosehip broth, 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 designated by numbers for ease of use.In the case of diabetes, the classic diet is number 9 - otherwise they say “table number 9”.
What is diet number 9 for diabetes?
Recommended dishes:
- bread (especially rye pastries) 200-300 g;
- vegetable broth soups;
- boiled or steamed meat and poultry;
- boiled or steamed lean fish;
- vegetables: white cabbage or cauliflower, lettuce, rutabaga, cucumber, radish, beetroot, carrots, potatoes;
- eggs – 2 pieces per day;
- unsweetened fruits and berries: Antonov apples, oranges, lemons, blueberries, cranberries, currants;
- kefir or yogurt – 200-400 ml per day;
- cottage cheese up to 200 mg per day;
- mild sauces, including milk sauces;
- appetizers: vinaigrette, salad, fish jelly;
- drinks: tomato juice, tea with milk, unsweetened juices, unsweetened compotes;
- butter and vegetable oil – 40g per day.
Limited use:
- cereals, vegetables and pasta are consumed to a limited extent, 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 doctor's recommendation;
- milk - as recommended by a doctor;
- cheese, cream, sour cream – limited;
- coffee.
Prohibited:
- chocolate, sweets, cakes, sweets, honey, jams and the like;
- pork and lamb fat;
- spicy, salty and smoked dishes:
- sweet fruits: banana, raisins, grapes;
- alcohol in any form.
Table No. 9 is a diet for diabetics during the period of stabilization of the disease.If the patient's condition worsens for any reason, as a rule, the diet becomes more limited.In any case, only a doctor can give final recommendations regarding diet for type 2 diabetes.
Diet for type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the diet is determined by the administration of insulin, so these same recommendations are generally followed by patients with type 2 diabetes who require insulin injections.
The composition of this menu does not differ much from the diet for type 2 diabetes, but sugar is completely excluded.Despite this prohibition, it is highly recommended that patients receiving insulin always have a piece of sugar or candy with them, which may be necessary in case of a threat of a hypoglycemic state - a state of low blood sugar, the severity of which can lead to a serious condition - coma.
Modern glucometers and carbohydrate charts allow these patients to lead a more nutritionally nutritious lifestyle.The existing concept - one bread unit (XU), equal to 12 g of carbohydrates - allows patients with diabetes mellitus who are receiving insulin to periodically eat even non-recommended foods or to eat more carbohydrates.However, to do this, the patient needs to measure blood glucose before each meal and, based on the next menu, expressed in XE, inject the required 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 insulin administration.
Weight Loss Diet for Diabetes
Patients with diabetes, especially type 2, often suffer from being overweight.Therefore, the issue of limiting the calorie content of the diet for these 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 (critical blood sugar level) if a balanced diet is disturbed, and in patients with type 1 diabetes and moderate type 2 diabetes, it 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 a patient create a safe diet with reduced calorie content.