"Diabetes mellitus is not a punishment, but a way of life," endocrinologists never tire of repeating this phrase.Compliance with therapeutic nutrition is one of the basic points in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, which enables the patient to lead a full life.
Diet for diabetes is a leading component of treatment.In this disease, there is a lack of insulin, a special pancreatic hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.The main symptom of diabetes mellitus is an increase in blood sugar, but the disorder of carbohydrate metabolism does not remain isolated, but leads to an imbalance of protein and fat metabolism.
A diabetes diet is not just about carbohydrate restriction.The patient's diet also includes those foods that help normalize the work of other organs and systems that are usually affected by this endocrine disease.So, for example, with accompanying obesity, which often happens, 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, green salad.Given that in many cases the liver also suffers from diabetes, the diet limits extractive substances (meat and fish broths), but always includes fresh cheese, soy and oatmeal, which have a beneficial effect on liver function.And damage to the cardiovascular system dictates limiting salt in the diet of patients with diabetes.
The existing two types of diabetes require different approaches to nutrition.In type 1 diabetes, the diet is not so important - the emphasis in treatment is on the administration of insulin, which makes the diet of such patients less restricted.But with type 2 diabetes, diet is of the utmost importance - in the initial stage of the disease, in many cases, it is possible to control the blood sugar level only by following therapeutic dietary recommendations without prescribing glucose-lowering drugs.
However, a diet for diabetes of any kind has general principles, adherence to which allows stabilization of carbohydrate metabolism to one degree 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 caloric content and nutritional value of the diet among the main meals.
- Variety, including a wide range of products recommended for patients with diabetes.
- Use of xylitol or sorbitol to sweeten food.
- Monitoring the caloric content of the daily diet using special tables.
- Limit liquids to 1200 ml, including first meals.
- Inclusion in the diet of foods rich in vitamins: rosehip broth, yeast, etc.
- Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with diet adjustments depending on the results obtained.
Diet for type 2 diabetes
All therapeutic diets in modern medicine are usually numbered for ease of use.In the case of diabetes, the classic diet is number 9 - otherwise it is called "table no. 9".
What is diet number 9 for diabetes?
Recommended dishes:
- bread (with an emphasis on rye pastries) 200-300 g;
- Vegetable soups;
- boiled or steamed meat and poultry;
- boiled or steamed lean fish;
- vegetables: white or cauliflower cabbage, 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;
- mild sauces, including milk sauces;
- appetizers: vinaigrette, salad, fish jelly;
- drinks: tomato juice, tea with milk, unsweetened juices, compotes without sugar;
- butter and vegetable oil – 40 g per day.
Limited use:
- Cereals, legumes and pasta are taken to a limited extent, while reducing the consumption of bread;
- soups with weak fish or meat soup - no more than 2 times a week;
- sugar and sweets for diabetics - as recommended by the doctor;
- milk - according to the doctor's recommendation;
- cheese, cream, sour cream – limited;
- coffee.
Prohibited:
- chocolate, candies, cakes, cookies, 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 in the period of stabilization of the disease.If the patient's condition worsens for some reason, as a rule, the diet is restricted.In any case, only a doctor can give final recommendations on nutrition in type 2 diabetes.
Diet for type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the diet is determined by the use of insulin, so the same recommendations are usually followed by those patients with type 2 diabetes who need insulin injections.
The composition of this menu does not differ much from a diet for type 2 diabetes, but sugar is completely excluded.Despite this prohibition, patients receiving insulin are strongly recommended to always have a piece of sugar or candy with them, which may be necessary in case of danger of hypoglycemia - a condition of low blood sugar, the severity of which can lead to a serious condition - coma.
Modern glucometers and carbohydrate tables allow such patients to lead a nutritionally more nutritious lifestyle.The existing concept - a unit of bread (XU), equal to 12 g of carbohydrates - allows patients with diabetes mellitus who receive insulin to occasionally eat even foods that are not recommended or eat more carbohydrates.However, for this, the patient must measure his blood sugar before each meal and, based on the upcoming menu, expressed in XE, inject himself with the required amount of short-acting insulin.Use a special table to count grain units.
All of the above does not mean that a patient with type 1 diabetes can eat everything in any quantity: one meal should not contain more than 7-8 XE.For overweight patients, these restrictions are even stricter.
A special feature of the diet for type 1 diabetes is its high protein content.This requirement is especially relevant for patients with infectious complications and manifestations of trophic limb disorders.
Only the attending physician should be involved in drawing up a detailed diet, alternate meals and hourly insulin administration.
Weight loss diet for diabetes
Patients with diabetes, especially type 2, often suffer from excess weight.Therefore, the question of limiting the caloric content of the diet for such patients may be particularly relevant.However, in this case, you should not use any of the "fast" mono-diets.This prohibition is explained by the high risk of developing a severe hypoglycemic state (critically low blood sugar) if a balanced diet is violated, and in patients with type 1 diabetes and moderate type 2 diabetes, it is almost inevitable.
If you are overweight, the diet for weight loss for diabetes includes the correction of the usual therapeutic diet no.9 with a reduced content of refined carbohydrates (sugar) and some fat restriction.However, such decisions should not be made without consulting a doctor: only together with a doctor can a patient create a safe diet with a reduced calorie content.