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Diet for diabetes

Dietary foods that normalize blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus

A diet for diabetes is not just a recommendation to improve the quality of life, but a necessity. Every patient should follow the nutritional advice. This is necessary to minimize the risks of acute complications, as well as the deterioration of the general condition.

A balanced diet allows you to create metabolic processes in the body, which is extremely important when diagnosed with diabetes. The disease poses a potential threat to life, as it can be associated with critical conditions: ketoacidosis, failure of internal organs, hypoglycemia and others. For the sake of their health, the patient must understand not only the essence of the disease itself, but also its effect on the body. This will help you organize a rational menu, develop healthy habits and learn to take your doctor's prescriptions seriously.

Etiology and pathogenesis

The first information about diabetes known to science dates back to the Hellenic period. Of course, the ancient Greeks did not have diagnostic skills and did not know the nature of the disease. But already in those days (IV-I century BC) doctors tried to systematize information about symptoms and therapy.

According to the WHO, today the disease affects about 4% of people and takes 3 million lives a year, which exceeds the figures for AIDS.

The disease has multiple etiologies and is associated with a wide range of symptoms. It is based on the lack of insulin, which can be absolute or relative.

Etiology of diabetes:

  • overweight;
  • injuries - physical and mental;
  • viral diseases that caused complications;
  • difficult inheritance;
  • autoimmune diseases.

Provocative factors include frequent prolonged stress and bad eating habits. People who often overeat are at risk by including excessive amounts of carbohydrates and sugar in their menu.

In the pathogenesis, the main role is played by the breakdown of the islet apparatus of the pancreas, as a result of which insulin is produced in abnormally small amounts or is not produced at all.

Symptoms of diabetes:

  • general weakness;
  • weight loss;
  • increased urine production, frequent urination;
  • slow wound healing;
  • decreased sexual desire;
  • itching of mucous membranes;
  • deterioration of hair and nails;
  • increased appetite, constant thirst.

The disease is one of those that requires mandatory therapy. It is impossible to fight the symptoms of diabetes with folk remedies. A visit to the doctor is necessary and the earlier the diagnosis is made, the more favorable the prognosis. In addition to the course of medication, a rational nutritional system is required.

Disease classification and the role of nutrition

The diet is determined by the degree of inhibition of the pancreas itself.

The disease is classified as follows:

  1. Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease and a relatively rare form. It is characterized by an extremely low level of insulin production; in some cases, the patient's body does not produce this hormone at all. Patients are forced to take regular injections, which is why the term "insulin addiction" is also used. A diet aimed at lowering glucose levels helps improve well-being and avoid the risk of hypoglycemia.
  2. Diabetes II appears in 90% of cases. It often develops in overweight people with a sedentary lifestyle, who do not respect their diet and consume a lot of foods that increase the level of glucose (flour, potatoes, sweets). The diet should be structured so that the weight gradually returns to normal. Moderate physical activity is recommended for such patients.
  3. Gestational diabetes is a disease that can develop in pregnant women, especially with severe toxicosis in the second trimester. The diet for gestational diabetes should contain a sufficient amount of dietary supplements and careful control of body weight. In most cases, after the end of pregnancy, health returns to normal, but there is a risk of developing type II diabetes. To avoid this, you should follow the recommended diet after giving birth.

In 1% of cases, other types of disease develop: latent, steroid, neurogenic, renal, MODY, bronze and prediabetes. The diet for a type of diabetes included in one of these categories is determined by the attending physician, taking into account many factors.

Types of diets for diabetes

The basis of therapy in the treatment of diabetes mellitus is a course of medication aimed at lowering glucose levels and restoring normal insulin levels. At the same time, doctors insist on the importance of moderate physical activity and proper nutrition.

About 80% of patients are overweight. Often, excess body weight exceeds normal levels by 15 percent or more. When the weight is normalized, the general condition of patients improves significantly: blood pressure stabilizes, the functioning of the nervous system improves, the level of chronic fatigue decreases and well-being improves. But with such a diagnosis, extreme methods to quickly get rid of extra pounds are strictly contraindicated, and many, even the most popular, diets are not suitable for patients with diabetes. You cannot choose a power system based on the reviews of friends or even the recommendations of online experts. Experimenting with "proven" diets, such as the Kremlin or Dukan, can lead to the fact that the metabolism goes even worse. That is, efforts should be directed towards restoring the normalization of metabolic processes.

Types of nutrition programs

  1. A protein diet aims to suppress appetite by providing the body with a large amount of protein, which stimulates the production of biologically active substances. Proteins of plant and animal origin are included in the diet in equal proportions. Red meat is prohibited, it is replaced by fish, lean poultry, dairy products and protein-rich beans and grains.
  2. A low-carb diet for diabetes based on vegetables and fruits that contain complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are prohibited, and proteins are introduced in limited quantities. This food system is considered strict and is used when the blood sugar level rises significantly - 3 times or more.
  3. A low-carb diet is gentler and is suitable for those suffering from type I and type II diabetes.
  4. The buckwheat diet is indicated for the normalization of metabolic processes and the saturation of the body with vitamins, macro and microelements.
  5. A preventive diet is based on replacing red meat with lean, protein-rich foods, using proper cooking methods and consuming fiber.
  6. The Bernstein diet is indicated for type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as for prevention. This is not just a menu, but an integrated approach to organizing a balanced diet, which can be taught even to young children.

Carbohydrate counting

The unit of bread is a familiar concept to every patient with diabetes. This is a conventional measuring unit (XU), which corresponds to 10-13 g of carbohydrates and is used when calculating the caloric content of foods. The patient can take 4-6 XE per meal.

1 XE corresponds to:

  • 1 tablespoon. l. sugar or honey;
  • 150 ml of juice;
  • 130 g of orange;
  • 60 g of bananas;
  • 100 g of melon;
  • porridge - 2, 5 tablespoons. l. unprocessed cereals;
  • milk and fermented milk drinks - 250 ml;
  • 20 g of dried fruit.

It is also important to consider the type of food and how it is prepared. For example, lean fish fillets are allowed in limited amounts in some diets, but fatty canned fish is prohibited for all patients.

Diet for type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes requires a diet that will keep blood glucose levels at 3. 5-5. 5 mmol/liter.

Diet principles:

  1. Partial feeding of the patient: 5-6 meals a day.
  2. The maximum daily calorie content is 2000 kcal.
  3. Carbohydrates for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  4. Minimal snacking at night.
  5. Fast carbohydrates are prohibited.
  6. Rejection of sugar, replacement with safe analogues (stevia, synthetic sweetener).
  7. Long-acting insulin preparations are administered before meals, short-acting insulin preparations are administered after meals.
  8. The maximum amount of XE per meal is 8.
  9. Natural products are a priority.

Baked goods without yeast, cheese and soy milk, unsweetened green tea, compote with dried fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and cereals are allowed. Many vegetarian dishes are suitable for diets.

Rich first and baked dishes, fatty meat and fish, smoked meat, pasta and fast food are prohibited. Alcohol, especially red wine, is strictly prohibited.

One-week diet for insulin-dependent overweight people

Day no. 1

  1. A slice of bread, porridge, soft cheese, tea.
  2. Orange, pistachio.
  3. Borscht, salad, boiled cabbage, cutlet, lavash.
  4. Rosehip, cottage cheese, fruit jelly.
  5. Steamed cauliflower, salad.
  6. A glass of milk.

Day no. 2

  1. Steamed beef, tomatoes, whole grain bread, tea.
  2. Cheese, half a ripe pear.
  3. Chicken breast, pumpkin puree, salad.
  4. Grapefruit, kefir.
  5. Boiled fish, boiled cabbage.
  6. Cracker.

Day no. 3

  1. Lavash, coffee, cabbage rolls.
  2. Strawberries, yogurt.
  3. Hard pasta, salad, steamed fish.
  4. Orange, compote.
  5. Cottage cheese casserole.
  6. Kefir.

Day no. 4

  1. Porridge, cheese, boiled eggs, tea.
  2. Toast with soft cheese, boiled turkey.
  3. Soup with vegetable puree, stewed meat with vegetables, bread.
  4. Tea with cookies.
  5. Chicken breast green beans, rose hips.
  6. Bread.

Day no. 5

  1. Cottage cheese with kefir.
  2. Pumpkin seeds, raisins.
  3. Potatoes, salad, compote.
  4. Ripe pumpkin, rose.
  5. Salad, pancakes in rye flour.
  6. Kefir.

Day no. 6

  1. Eggs, lightly salted salmon, tea.
  2. Cottage cheese, carrots.
  3. Borscht with sorrel, vegetarian cabbage rolls, lavash.
  4. Kefir, bread.
  5. Boiled eggplant with chicken fillet, fresh green peas.
  6. Crackers.

Day no 7

  1. Porridge with bacon, tea.
  2. Salad with tuna and vegetables, whole grain bread.
  3. Cabbage soup, stewed vegetables with meat, bread.
  4. Cottage cheese, plums.
  5. Squid schnitzel, compote.
  6. Milk.

Diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus

The point is to reduce animal fats and simple carbohydrates. It is recommended to take a break of no more than 4 hours between meals. This food program is called "Diet No. 9" or "Table No. 9" and is suitable not only for patients, but also for all those who seek to normalize their diet.

Diet for every day for type 2 diabetes

Day no. 1

  1. Egg omelette with asparagus, quail.
  2. Salad with nuts, apples and boiled squid.
  3. Beet soup, baked eggplant.
  4. Avocado, cocoa.
  5. Salmon steak with sauce.

Day no. 2

  1. Oatmeal, yogurt, apple.
  2. Smoothies.
  3. Roasted meat (beef) with vegetables.
  4. Cottage cheese casserole.
  5. Vegetable salad with avocado.

Day no. 3

  1. Fried eggs with cheese, tomatoes and herbs.
  2. Steamed vegetables with hummus.
  3. Vegetable soup puree, chicken cutlets, fresh peas.
  4. Pear and almond.
  5. Salmon with spinach, yogurt.

Day no. 4

  1. baked apples.
  2. Toast with leafy greens and tuna.
  3. Beef steak, vegetable salad, parmesan.
  4. Fruit sorbet.
  5. Broccoli Casserole.

Day no. 5

  1. Orange, soft cheese, whole grain bread, fruit tea.
  2. Beet salad with walnuts and butter.
  3. Steamed fish, rice, grapefruit.
  4. Berries with cream.
  5. Squid schnitzel, rose.

Day no. 6

  1. Carrot-curd souffle.
  2. Baked broccoli.
  3. Lenten borscht, baked chicken fillet, leafy greens, tangerine.
  4. Red berries.
  5. Fish with a side dish of steamed vegetables.

Day no 7

  1. Baked apple with raisins, oats and walnuts.
  2. Salad with vegetables and shrimps.
  3. Polenta, boiled fish, greens, kiwi.
  4. Strawberries with cream cheese.
  5. Salad with cucumber and herbs, tea.

Diet for gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs due to the breakdown of the pancreas during pregnancy. The expectant mother must adhere to the following nutrition principles:

  • Cut out flour, baked goods, any store-bought sweets, oatmeal and any sugary products.
  • BJU rate: 20 |30 |50 %. You should balance your diet based on these indicators.
  • Include fruits, dairy and starchy foods in your diet.
  • Strictly observe the drinking regime. It is necessary to consume 1, 8-2 liters of drinking water per day.
  • Organize 3 main meals and 2 snacks per day.
  • Minimize the consumption of coffee and tea (no more than 2 cups per day).
  • Take special vitamin complexes as recommended by your doctor.
  • Include herbal remedies in your diet to reduce sugar: decoction of sturgeon flowers, bilberry leaves, lilac buds, celery root.

Low-carb diets are not suitable for pregnant women. The rate of calorie consumption per day is 2000-2500 kcal.

Recommended menu for expectant mothers with high blood glucose

To control glucose levels, it is recommended to build a menu based on the following scheme.

  • Breakfast: porridge (oatmeal, millet, buckwheat), wheat bread, tea or dried fruit compote.
  • Second breakfast: toast with unsalted cheese, apple.
  • Lunch: porridge, vegetable salad, stew (beef or chicken).
  • Afternoon snack: cottage cheese, crackers, orange.
  • Dinner: vegetable side dish, stewed meat, juice, crackers or pita bread.

3 hours before bedtime, you can drink a glass of yogurt or kefir. In addition to diet, it is important to go for walks, warm up if possible and do simple exercises at home or with a trainer.

Diet for insulin-dependent diabetes in children

Children suffer more severely from the disease than adults, and the incidence of type 1 diabetes in this age group is higher - up to 80%. Children at risk (whose family members have diabetes) require careful monitoring of their health from birth.

Diet for diabetes in children

The rules for organizing nutrition for insulin-dependent children are even stricter than for adults. Approximate diet for a child:

  • Sweets, sweets, baked goods, sweet soda are prohibited. Sugar should be completely eliminated from the diet.
  • Fresh vegetables and fruits are allowed, but you should note the exceptions. A child with diabetes should not be given bananas, dates, dates, raisins, grapes or figs.
  • You need to organize 6 meals and feed the child strictly according to the clock. The deviation should not exceed 20 minutes. If it is impossible to eat a full meal, you should give your child a snack of fruit, bread or toast. Insulin-dependent children absolutely do not have to starve.
  • Monitor your fructose consumption and use this indicator as a basis when calculating the allowed amount of sweetener.
  • An attack of hypoglycemia can be stopped with a piece of dark chocolate. An accompanying adult is advised to carry this product with you at all times.
  • Diet is important. The daily rate is calculated depending on the age and body size of the child by the endocrinologist.

It is necessary to organize a correct way of life in general. The child must be able to move and be physically active. Continuous monitoring of glucose levels and regular consultation with the doctor are also necessary.

Healthy recipes for diabetes

Diet recipes are suitable not only for the diet of a patient with diabetes, but also for anyone who wants to balance the menu, including healthy foods. The recommended dishes are prepared from simple ingredients, but they look presentable and have a rich taste.

Vegetarian cream soup

Prepare and chop an onion, 100 g of spinach, 300 g of broccoli and 200 g of celery and zucchini. Boil for 15 minutes in 500 ml of water, puree with a blender. Add 200 ml of milk and 100 ml of cream to the vegetable mass, let it boil, adjust the salt.

Vegetable salad

Cut 200 g of cabbage. Cut 2 cucumbers into half rings, 2 tomatoes into slices. Mix the vegetables, add salt, season with olive oil.

Squid schnitzel with onions

Pass the squid fillet (400 g) in a meat grinder, add 25 g of bread crumbs to the minced meat. Cut the leek (50 g) and an onion, fry in a pan until they are half cooked. Finely chop greens - spinach, dill, parsley. Mix the ingredients, cook the minced meat, form the schnitzel. Brush each with egg, roll with bread and fry for 2 minutes on each side.

Pancakes with blueberries in rye flour

Pour 2 g of stevia into a glass of boiling water and let it brew. Mix 200 g of cottage cheese, stevia solution, 1 egg, 150 g of blueberries. Carefully add 200 g of rye flour, 0. 5 tsp. soda and 2 tbsp. l. sesame oil. Fry the pancakes in a non-stick pan on both sides.

Blue cauliflower

Boil 500 g of flowers for 10 minutes, cool and chop with a blender. Add 4 tbsp. l. rice flour, salt, let it cook for 30 minutes so that the fiber dissolves. Boil and finely chop 2 eggs, add chopped green onions. Form flat cakes from the vegetable mass, put the egg and onion filling inside and decorate with zrazy. Roll in rice flour and fry in a pan.

Cottage cheese and pear casserole

Mix 600 g of low-fat cottage cheese, 2 eggs and 2 tbsp. l. rice flour, cook well. Peel and chop 600 g of pears: cut half of them into cubes, and grate the other half. Mix the pears with the curd mass, let it boil for 30 minutes. Place in a silicone mold, smear with sour cream, bake for 45 minutes at 180 degrees.

Cottage cheese and carrot souffle

Grind 200 g of cottage cheese, add 300 g of grated carrots. Grind 50 g of walnuts, 3-4 sprigs of parsley, add to the mass. Add 2 yolks, then 2 beaten whites. Pour batter into silicone muffin tins, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes.

The preparation of the patient's menu must be taken responsibly. It should not only be balanced, but also varied to prevent spoilage of unhealthy foods or refusal to eat. A systematic approach will help maintain health, prevent deterioration and significantly improve the quality of life.