Unfortunately, a disease like type 2 diabetes affects more and more people each year. In terms of mortality, it ranks second, second only to oncology. The danger of such a disease lies not only in constantly elevated glucose levels, but in the failure of almost every function of the body.
The "sweet" disease is not treated, you can only minimize the risk of complications and avoid the insulin-dependent type of diabetes. To normalize sugar levels, endocrinologists primarily prescribe a low-carbohydrate diet and regular exercise therapy. It turns out that diet and nutritional treatment of type 2 diabetes is the main and primary therapy.
If with the help of diet therapy it is not possible to achieve the desired results, you should start taking hypoglycemic drugs. It is also necessary to monitor blood counts with a glucometer at home.
Causes and symptoms
Diabetes refers to diseases of the endocrine system, when the blood sugar level rises constantly. This is due to a decreased susceptibility of cells as well as tissues to the hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas.
It is worth noting that the body produces this hormone in sufficient quantity, but the cells do not react with 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 years. It is at this age that DM is often diagnosed. But that does not mean that the disease has developed dramatically. Most likely, the patient simply ignored the symptoms of prediabetes for many years, draining the body.
SD signals:
- thirst;
- dry mouth;
- slow healing of wounds and abrasions;
- frequent urge to go to the bathroom;
- rapid fatigability;
- somnolence.
If at least one of the symptoms is present, it is recommended to visit an endocrinologist for an analysis to exclude or confirm the presence of a disease. The diagnosis is quite simple - the delivery of venous and capillary blood. If you know the symptoms and the treatment will be effective.
Diabetes is more common in the following categories of people:
- age over 40 years;
- excess weight by abdominal type;
- malnutrition, when light carbohydrates (sweets, flour products) predominate in the diet;
- sedentary lifestyle without adequate physical activity;
- high pressure;
- the presence of diabetes in the next of kin.
When treating a "sweet" disease, it is necessary to strictly adhere to a diet aimed at reducing blood glucose.
diet therapy
>A properly formulated therapeutic diet, combined with moderate physical activity, will become the main treatment for 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 stabilize blood sugar levels. Up to half of the daily diet should be vegetables. In addition, the daily menu should include cereals, fruits, meat or fish and dairy products.
The body of a diabetic suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals. This is due to a failure in metabolic processes not only of the endocrine system. That's why it's so important to have a balanced diet.
From the above, the main principles of the diet can be distinguished:
- small meals, six times a day;
- minimum fluid intake - two liters;
- don't go hungry and don't overeat;
- dinner should be light, it is worth limiting yourself to a glass of fermented milk or 150 grams of cottage cheese;
- fruit must be included in breakfast;
- when preparing vegetable dishes, use only seasonal products;
- choose products according to the GI.
All diabetic foods should have a low glycemic index. Endocrinologists adhere to this indicator when compiling dietary therapy.
In addition to observing the principles of nutrition, one should not forget about the allowed heat treatment, which aims at the absence of bad cholesterol in the dishes.
Cooking is allowed in the following ways:
- boil;
- for a couple;
- in the microwave;
- bake in the oven;
- in a multikitchen;
- stew, using a small amount of vegetable oil.
It is necessary to study the concept of GI separately and learn on your own how to form a diet based on personal taste preferences.
After all, the choice of products for diabetics is quite extensive and allows you to cook many healthy dishes.
GI of products in diet therapy
The glycemic index is a measure that reflects the effect of a certain food after eating it on raising blood sugar levels. Low GI products contain complex digestion carbohydrates, which are not only necessary for the patient, but also give him a feeling of satiety for a long time.
Diabetics have to choose between food categories that have a low GI. Foods with an average indicator can be in the diet only occasionally, no more than twice a week. High GI products are able to raise the glucose level to 4 mmol/l in a very 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 caloric content of foods. Thus, some foods have a value of zero units, but at the same time they contain bad cholesterol and are high in calories.
A bright will take fat, which does not contain carbohydrates and has 0 units, but is categorically contraindicated for diabetics. GI Division:
- 0 - 50 units - low;
- 50 - 69 units - medium;
- more than 70 units - high.
There is a special table of products with indexes to make it easier for the patient to create a menu. Some products after heat treatment can significantly increase the index - these are beets and carrots. Raw they are allowed, but cooked under the ban.
The therapeutic diet allows you to cook dishes with these vegetables:
- onion;
- all varieties of cabbage - white and red, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli;
- garlic;
- eggplant;
- tomato;
- string beans and asparagus;
- lentils;
- peas;
- pumpkin;
- cucumber.
Many people are used to having potatoes on the table. But with a "sweet" illness, it's best to refuse it because of the high GI. In very rare cases, when it is still decided to use the tubers, they must be pre-soaked in water overnight. So you can get rid of the starch and reduce the index a bit.
Vegetables for diabetics are a source of vitamins, microelements and fiber. They prepare not only fresh salads, but also side dishes, as well as complex dishes. It is allowed to diversify the flavor qualities with greens - spinach, lettuce, oregano, basil, dill and parsley.
Fruits are an equally important component of the diet. The permissible daily norm should not exceed 150 - 200 grams. Fruits, even with low content, cannot be squeezed. With this treatment, they lose fiber and glucose quickly enters the bloodstream.
When dieting, the following fruits and berries are allowed:
- cherry;
- Damascus;
- pear;
- nectarine;
- khaki;
- black and red currants;
- all citrus fruit varieties - orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, pomelo and lime;
- currant;
- sweet cherry;
- peach.
There are many valuable substances in dried fruit, no more than 50 grams per day is allowed. Dried fruits are good to add to cereal, thus creating a complete food dish. Low GI Dried Fruits - Dried apricots, plums and figs.
Meat, offal, fish and seafood are also part of the daily menu. At the same time, fish should be present at least three times in the weekly diet. Choose lean meats and fish. Skin and fat remains are removed from them, in which there are no vitamins, but only bad cholesterol.
Endocrinologists recommend the following products:
- chicken;
- rabbit meat;
- Peru;
- meat;
- Quail;
- chicken liver;
- liver steak;
- bull tongue;
- ox lungs.
There are no restrictions on the choice of seafood. For fish, you can choose pollock, hake, pike or perch.
Grains are a source of energy, so they give you a feeling of satiety for a long time. Some of them have a high GI, in particular white rice. Your alternative will be brown rice, whose GI is 50 units. It takes a little longer to cook - about 45 minutes.
Barley is considered the most valuable cereal, its GI is only 22 units. Other types of cereal are also allowed:
- barley grains;
- buckwheat;
- oat;
- wheat porridge.
By the way, the thicker the porridge, the lower the index.
There are few restrictions on dairy products and sour milk. All of them are based on the fat content of the products. Therefore, it would be rational to refuse sour cream, margarine and butter.
Medical treatment
If with the help of diet therapy it is not possible to achieve the desired results, the doctor is forced to prescribe hypoglycemic drugs. Your choice in the pharmaceutical market is extensive.
Self-medication is prohibited as all pills have their own side effects. Only an endocrinologist can choose the right pills for the patient, taking into account his body characteristics and the course of the disease.
The purpose of hypoglycemic drugs is to stimulate the pancreatic cells to increase the production of the hormone insulin so that it is in the blood in the necessary amount.
If, in this case, it is not possible to normalize the blood glucose level, then therapy includes several groups of hypoglycemic tablets.
additional measures
In the presence of type 2 diabetes, treatment should include viable physical activity. This serves as an excellent compensation for high sugar levels.
That is, when playing sports in the body, all metabolic processes are accelerated and glucose is absorbed faster.
You should dedicate at least half an hour a day to this lesson. If you can't practice daily, at least you need to walk outside for forty minutes.
You can choose the following types of physical activity for type 2 diabetics:
- yoga;
- Nordic walking;
- sport walking;
- Cooper;
- cycling;
- swimming.
If a person wants to study at home, there are many video courses on the Internet specifically dedicated to diabetics.
If training takes place outside the house, and after them there is a feeling of hunger, then it is permissible to have an additional meal - a snack. An ideal option would be 50 grams of walnuts, which contain nutritious proteins, have a low GI and perfectly fight the appetite. Just do not exceed the daily allowance, because this product is high in calories.
From all the above, it must be concluded that the manifestation of diabetes can be minimized using just two rules: follow the principles of diabetes diet therapy and exercise regularly.