“Diabetes mellitus is not a sentence, 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 leading 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 of both protein and fat metabolism.
The diet for diabetes is not only about limiting carbohydrates.The patient’s diet also includes those 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 fullness: cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, peas, cabbage, lettuce.Considering that in many cases with diabetes the liver also suffers, the diet limits extractive substances (meat and fish broths), but always includes cottage cheese, soy and oatmeal, which have a beneficial effect on liver function.And damage to the cardiovascular system dictates limiting salt in the diet for patients with diabetes.
The existing two types of diabetes require different dietary approaches.In type 1 diabetes, diet is not so important - the emphasis in treatment is on the administration of insulin, which makes the diet of such 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 glucose-lowering drugs.
However, a diet for diabetes of any type has general principles, adherence to which makes it possible to stabilize 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 main meals.
- Variety, including a wide range of products recommended for patients with diabetes.
- Using xylitol or sorbitol to sweeten foods.
- Monitoring the caloric content of the daily diet using special tables.
- Limit liquid to 1200 ml, including first courses.
- Inclusion in food of foods rich in vitamins: rosehip decoction, 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 No. 9”.
What is diet number 9 for diabetes?
Recommended dishes:
- bread (with an emphasis on rye pastries) 200-300 g;
- vegetable broth 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, lingonberries, 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, jellied fish;
- drinks: tomato juice, tea with milk, unsweetened juices, sugar-free compotes;
- butter and vegetable oil – 40g per day.
Limited use:
- cereals, legumes and pasta are taken in a limited manner, while reducing bread consumption;
- soups with weak fish or meat broth - no more than 2 times a week;
- sugar and diabetic sweets - on the recommendation of a doctor;
- milk - as recommended by a doctor;
- cheese, cream, sour cream – limited;
- coffee.
Forbidden:
- chocolate, candies, cakes, pastries, 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 during the period of stabilization of the disease.If the patient's condition worsens for some reason, as a rule, the diet becomes more limited.In any case, only a doctor can give final recommendations on 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 usually followed by those patients with type 2 diabetes who require insulin injections.
The composition of this menu is not much different from the 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 needed 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 tables enable such patients to lead a more nutritionally nutritious lifestyle.The existing concept - a bread unit (XU), equal to 12 g of carbohydrates - allows patients with diabetes mellitus receiving insulin to periodically eat even non-recommended foods or eat more carbohydrates.However, for this, the patient needs to measure blood sugar before each meal and, based on the upcoming menu, expressed in XE, inject himself with 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 not contain more than 7-8 XE.For overweight patients, these restrictions are even more stringent.
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 disorders of the limbs.
Only the attending physician should be involved in drawing up a detailed diet, alternating meals and hourly insulin administration.
Diet for weight loss for diabetes
Patients with diabetes, especially type 2, often suffer from excess weight.Therefore, the issue of limiting the caloric content of the diet for such patients may be especially relevant.However, none of the “fast” mono-diets should be used in this case.This ban is explained by the high risk of developing a severe hypoglycemic state (critically low blood sugar) 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 diet for weight loss 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 a reduced calorie content.