Diabetes is a serious medical condition where the body is unable to produce insulin that is used in the utilization of glucose. The net effect of this condition is that the body cannot utilize the food we eat while at the same time, the level of blood sugar fluctuates widely. This can lead to long-term complications such as loss of limbs, damage to the kidneys, and so on. When blood sugar fluctuates, there is also the danger that the patient may have seizures, some of which may even be fatal. While diabetes can be managed through a variety of ways, one of the most effective approaches (when used in conjunction with other methods) is through diet. This is because various food items have different properties and interact with the body in different ways.
If you are in an assisted living home in Port Charlotte, FL, here is what you need to know about using diet to help manage your diabetic condition.
What Is A Diabetic Meal Program?
A diabetic meal program is used by dieticians and other healthcare professionals to help people manage diabetes. Since there is a strong correlation between diabetes and the food that we eat, having a diabetic meal program can help stave off the effects of diabetes and sometimes even reduce the severity of the condition. This is especially true if the programs are used in conjunction with other interventions such as physical exercises and medication.
These are some of the elements that you can expect to be included in your diabetic meal program
Fibers
These are parts of plant foods that our digestive system is unable to absorb or digest. While this may sound like a contradiction, fibers are critical in ensuring the proper functioning of our digestive systems. They also help in the management of sugar levels. Your dietitian is likely to recommend a certain amount of fiber in your diet in order to help manage your blood sugar levels. Fibers can be obtained from a variety of food items such as nuts, whole grains, and much more.
Saturated Fats
Your diabetic meal plan is also going to exclude some food items from your diet. A good example is saturated fats which are likely to increase your blood sugar levels. Saturated fats include fatty red meats, butter, and cheese. Another group of fats that is likely to be eliminated from your meal plan includes any food with transfats. These are fats that are created when liquid fat is hardened through a process known as hydrogenation. The problem with transfats is that they are not only bad for your blood sugar but they are also likely to damage your cardiovascular health. Food items that include transfats include most fast foods, cookies, margarine, and many more.
Sugar
if you are suffering from diabetes, it is pretty obvious that you will need to manage your sugar intake. It goes without saying that consuming food items that are high in sugar such as fizzy drinks can lead to your condition becoming significantly worse. This is because the body is already struggling to manage the sugar that comes from the food you consume. Adding more sugar into the system is likely to overwhelm the body.
