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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 suggestion to improve the quality of life, but a necessity. Every patient should follow nutritional advice. This is necessary to minimize the risk of acute complications, as well as worsening the general condition.

A balanced diet allows you to establish metabolic processes in the body, which is very important when diagnosed with diabetes. This disease poses a potential threat to life, because it can be accompanied by critical conditions: ketoacidosis, internal organ failure, hypoglycemia and others. For the sake of their own health, patients must understand not only the essence of the disease itself, but also its effects on the body. This will help you organize a rational menu, develop healthy habits and learn to take your doctor's prescription seriously.

Etiology and pathogenesis

The first information about diabetes known to science dates back to Hellenic times. Of course, the ancient Greeks did not have diagnostic capabilities and did not know the nature of the disease. But at that time (IV-I century BC) doctors tried to systematize information about symptoms and therapy.

According to the WHO, today this disease affects about 4% of people, and it claims 3 million lives a year, which exceeds the number of AIDS.

This disease has various etiologies and is accompanied by various symptoms. It is based on insulin deficiency, which can be absolute or relative.

Etiology of diabetes:

  • overweight;
  • injuries - physical and mental;
  • viral diseases that cause complications;
  • severe descent;
  • autoimmune disease.

Provocative factors include frequent prolonged stress and poor 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 disruption of the pancreatic islet apparatus, as a result of which insulin is produced in very small quantities or not produced at all.

Symptoms of diabetes:

  • general weakness;
  • weight reduction;
  • increased urine production, frequent urination;
  • slow wound healing;
  • decreased libido;
  • mucous membrane itching;
  • hair and nail deterioration;
  • increased appetite, constant thirst.

This disease is one of those that require mandatory therapy. It is impossible to fight the symptoms of diabetes with folk remedies. Seeing a doctor is necessary, and the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the prognosis. In addition to a course of medication, a rational nutritional system is required.

Classification of diseases and the role of nutrition

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

This disease is classified as follows:

  1. Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease and a relatively rare form. It is characterized by a very low level of insulin production; in some cases, the patient's body does not produce this hormone at all. Patients have to take injections regularly, which is why the term "insulin dependence" is also used. A diet aimed at lowering glucose levels helps improve well-being and avoid the risk of hypoglycemia.
  2. Diabetes II occurs in 90% of cases. It often develops in people who are overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle, who do not monitor their diet and consume a lot of foods that increase glucose levels (flour, potatoes, sweets). Diet should be structured so that body 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. A diet for diabetes during pregnancy should contain a sufficient amount of additional food and careful weight control. In most cases, after the pregnancy ends, health returns to normal, but there is a risk of developing type II diabetes. To avoid this, you should follow the recommended diet after delivery.

In 1% of cases, other types of disease develop: latent, steroid, neurogenic, renal, MODY, bronze and prediabetes. The diet for the type of diabetes that falls into 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 reducing glucose levels and restoring normal insulin levels. At the same time, doctors emphasize the importance of moderate physical activity and proper nutrition.

About 80% of patients are overweight. Often, overweight exceeds the normal level by 15 percent or more. When the body weight is normalized, the patient's general condition improves significantly: blood pressure stabilizes, nervous system function 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 strongly contraindicated, and many, even the most popular, diets are not suitable for diabetics. You cannot choose a power system based on reviews from friends or even recommendations from experts on the Internet. Experimenting with "proven" diets, such as, for example, Kremlin or Dukan, can lead to the fact that the metabolism becomes even more wrong. 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 from plants and animals are included in the diet in equal proportions. Red meat is forbidden; it is replaced with fish, lean poultry, dairy products and protein-rich nuts 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 nutritional system is considered strict, and it is used when the blood sugar level rises significantly - 3 times or more.
  3. A low-carb diet is gentler and suitable for people with type I and type II diabetes.
  4. Buckwheat diet is shown to normalize metabolic processes and fill the body with vitamins, macro and micro elements.
  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 small children.

Carb count

A unit of bread is a concept familiar to every diabetic patient. This is a conventional measurement unit (XU), which corresponds to 10-13 g of carbohydrates and is used when calculating the calorie content of food. Patients can take 4-6 XE per meal.

1 XE corresponds to:

  • 1 tablespoon. l. sugar or honey;
  • 150 ml of juice;
  • 130 g of oranges;
  • 60 g of bananas;
  • 100 g of watermelon;
  • porridge - 2. 5 tablespoons. l. raw grains;
  • 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, low-fat fish fillets are allowed in limited quantities 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 maintain blood glucose levels at 3. 5-5. 5 mmol/liter.

Principles of diet:

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

Allowed are baked goods without yeast, soy cheese and milk, unsweetened green tea, dried fruit compote, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and grains. Many vegetarian dishes are suitable for diets.

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

A one-week diet for overweight insulin-dependent people

Day No. 1

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

Day No. 2

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

Day No. 3

  1. Lavash, coffee, cabbage rolls.
  2. Strawberries, yogurt.
  3. Solid 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, stewed turkey.
  3. Vegetable puree soup, stewed meat with vegetables, bread.
  4. Tea with cookies.
  5. Green beans with chicken breast, rose hips.
  6. bread

Day No. 5

  1. Cottage cheese with kefir.
  2. Pumpkin seeds, raisins.
  3. Potatoes, salad, compote.
  4. Baked pumpkin, rosehip.
  5. Salad, pancakes on 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 filling, fresh green beans.
  6. crackers

Day No. 7

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

Diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus

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

Diet for every day for type 2 diabetes

Day No. 1

  1. Asparagus, quail egg omelette.
  2. Bean, apple and boiled squid salad.
  3. Beetroot soup, grilled eggplant.
  4. Avocado, cocoa.
  5. Salmon steak with sauce.

Day No. 2

  1. Oats, yogurt, apples.
  2. Smoothies.
  3. Grilled meat (veal) 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. Pure vegetable soup, chopped chicken, fresh peas.
  4. Pears and almonds.
  5. Salmon with spinach, yogurt.

Day No. 4

  1. Baked apple.
  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 beans and butter.
  3. Steamed fish, rice, grapefruit.
  4. Berries with cream.
  5. Squid schnitzel, rose hip.

Day No. 6

  1. Carrot soufflé.
  2. Baked broccoli.
  3. Lenten borscht, grilled chicken fillet, leafy greens, tangerine.
  4. berry mousse.
  5. Fish with steamed vegetables.

Day No. 7

  1. Baked apples with raisins, oats and nuts.
  2. Salad with vegetables and shrimp.
  3. Polenta, boiled fish, vegetables, kiwi.
  4. Strawberries with cream cheese.
  5. Cucumber and herb salad, tea.

Diet for diabetes during pregnancy

Gestational diabetes occurs as a result of pancreatic disorders during pregnancy. Expectant mothers should adhere to the following nutritional principles:

  • Exclude flour, baked goods, any store-bought sweets, semolina porridge and any products with sugar.
  • BJU norm: 20 |30 |50 %. You need to balance your diet based on these indicators.
  • Include fruits, dairy and starchy foods in your diet.
  • Follow the drinking regime strictly. It is necessary to take 1. 8-2 liters of drinking water every day.
  • Arrange 3 main meals and 2 snacks every day.
  • Reduce the consumption of coffee and tea (no more than 2 cups a day).
  • Take a special vitamin complex as recommended by your doctor.
  • Introduce herbal remedies into your diet to reduce sugar: a decoction of linden flowers, blueberry leaves, purple buds, celery root.

Low-carb diets are not suitable for pregnant women. The norm of daily calorie consumption 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, cereal, buckwheat), cereal 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, oranges.
  • Dinner: vegetable side dish, boiled meat, juice, crackers or pita bread.

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

Diet for insulin-dependent diabetes in children

Children suffer more from this 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 status from birth.

Diet for diabetes in children

The rules for regulating nutrition for insulin-dependent children are stricter than for adults. Estimated diet for children:

  • Confectionery, sweets, baked goods, sugary sodas are prohibited. Sugar should be completely eliminated from the diet.
  • Fresh vegetables and fruits are allowed, but you need to know the exceptions. Children with diabetes should not be given bananas, dates, persimmons, raisins, grapes, or figs.
  • You should organize 6 meals and feed the child strictly according to the clock. Deviations should not exceed 20 minutes. If it is not possible to eat a full meal, you should give your baby a snack of fruit, bread or toast. Insulin-dependent children should not starve.
  • Monitor your fructose consumption and use this indicator as a basis when calculating the amount of sweetener allowed.
  • An attack of hypoglycemia can be stopped with a piece of dark chocolate. Accompanying adults are advised to carry this product with them at all times.
  • Diet is important. The daily norm is calculated depending on the child's age and body size by the treating endocrinologist.

It is necessary to organize the right lifestyle in general. Children must be able to move and be physically active. Continuous monitoring of glucose levels and regular consultation with a doctor is also necessary.

Healthy recipes for diabetes

Diet recipes are suitable not only for the diet of diabetics, but also for anyone who wants to balance the menu, including healthy food. The recommended dish is prepared from simple ingredients, but looks elegant and has a rich taste.

Vegetarian cream soup

Prepare and chop one onion, 100 g of spinach, 300 g of broccoli and 200 g each of celery and zucchini. Boil for 15 minutes in 500 ml of water, puree using a blender. Add 200 ml of milk and 100 ml of cream to the vegetable mass, cook until boiling, 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) through a meat grinder, add 25 g of breadcrumbs to the minced meat. Chop leeks (50 g) and an onion, fry in a pan until half cooked. Finely chop vegetables - spinach, dill, parsley. Mix the ingredients, knead the minced meat, form schnitzels. Brush each one with egg, roll in breadcrumbs and fry for 2 minutes on each side.

Pancakes with blueberries on rye flour

Pour 2 g of stevia into a glass of boiling water and let it brew. Mix 200 g cottage cheese, stevia tincture, 1 egg, 150 g 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.

Zrazy cauliflower

Boil 500 g of cauliflower florets for 10 minutes, cool and chop with a blender. Add 4 tbsp. l. rice flour, salt, let it brew for 30 minutes so that the fiber dissolves. Boil and finely chop 2 eggs, add chopped green onions. Form a flat cake from the vegetable mass, put the egg and onion filling inside, and decorate with zrazy. Roll 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, knead until combined. Peel and cut 600 g of pears: finely chop half of them into cubes, grate the other half. Mix the pears with the curd mass, let it brew for 30 minutes. Place in a silicone mold, grease with sour cream, bake for 45 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees.

Cottage cheese and carrot soufflé

Grind 200 g of cottage cheese, add 300 g of grated carrot. Grind 50 g of walnuts, 3-4 sprigs of parsley, add to the mixture. Add 2 yolks, then 2 beaten whites. Pour the mixture into a silicone muffin mold, fill it 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes.

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