"Diabetes is not a sentence, but a way of life," endocrinologists never tire of repeating this phrase.Adherence to a therapeutic diet is one of the main points in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, which allows the patient to lead a full life.
Diet in diabetes is the leading component of treatment.In this disease, there is a deficiency of insulin, a special hormone of the pancreas that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.The main symptom of diabetes mellitus is an increase in blood sugar, but the disorder of carbohydrate metabolism does not remain isolated, but leads to an imbalance of both protein and fat metabolism.
A diabetes diet is not just about restricting carbohydrates.The patient's diet also includes those foods that help normalize the work of other organs and systems that are usually affected by this endocrine disease.So, for example, with accompanying obesity, which happens quite often, the menu includes as many vegetables as possible, which contain few calories but give a feeling of satiety: cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, peas, cabbage, lettuce.Given that in many cases the liver also suffers in diabetes, 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 requires limiting salt in the diet of patients with diabetes.
The two existing types of diabetes require different dietary approaches.In type 1 diabetes, the 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 in type 2 diabetes, diet is of paramount importance - in 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, the diet for diabetes of any type has common principles, the observance of which allows to stabilize the carbohydrate metabolism to one degree or another.
Diet for diabetic patients: basic principles
- Feeding is frequent, regular, at the same time - at least 4 times a day.
- Even distribution of the caloric content and nutritional value of the diet between the main meals.
- Variety, including a wide range of products recommended for diabetic patients.
- 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 meals.
- Inclusion in the diet of foods rich in vitamins: decoction of rose hips, yeast, etc.
- Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with correction of the diet 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 it is called "table number 9".
What is diet number 9 for diabetes?
Recommended dishes:
- bread (with an emphasis on rye cakes) 200-300 g;
- soups with vegetable broth;
- boiled or stewed meat and poultry;
- boiled or steamed lean fish;
- vegetables: white or cauliflower cabbage, lettuce, rutabaga, cucumbers, radishes, beets, carrots, potatoes;
- eggs - 2 per day;
- unsweetened fruits and berries: Antonov apples, oranges, lemons, cranberries, cranberries, red currants;
- kefir or yogurt - 200-400 ml per day;
- cottage cheese up to 200 mg per day;
- soft sauces, including milk sauces;
- starters: vinaigrette, salad, jellied fish;
- drinks: tomato juice, tea with milk, unsweetened juices, compotes without sugar;
- oil and vegetable oil - 40 g per day.
Restricted use:
- cereal, leguminous and pasta foods are limited, while the consumption of bread is reduced;
- 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 - on the recommendation of a doctor;
- cheese, cream, cream - limited;
- coffee.
Prohibited:
- 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 in 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 regarding the type 2 diabetes diet.
Diet for type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the diet is determined by the administration of insulin, so the same recommendations are usually followed by those patients with type 2 diabetes who require insulin injections.
The composition of this menu does not differ much from the diet for type 2 diabetes, but sugar is completely excluded.Despite this prohibition, patients receiving insulin are advised to always have a piece of sugar or candy with them, which may be necessary in case of a threat of a hypoglycemic state - a condition of low blood sugar, the severity of which can lead to a serious condition - coma.
Modern glucometers and carbohydrate tables allow such patients to lead a more fulfilling lifestyle.The existing concept - a unit of bread (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 purpose, the patient must measure blood sugar before each meal and, based on the upcoming menu expressed in XE, inject 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 stricter.
A feature of the diet for type 1 diabetes is its high protein content.This requirement is especially important for patients with infectious complications and manifestations of trophic disorders of the limbs.
Only the attending physician should participate in the preparation of a detailed diet, alternating meals and hourly administration of insulin.
Diet for weight loss in diabetes
Patients with diabetes, especially type 2, are often overweight.Therefore, the issue of limiting the caloric content of the diet for such patients may be particularly important.In this case, however, none of the "fast" monodiets should be used.This prohibition 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 and moderate type 2 diabetes, this is almost inevitable.
If you are overweight, the diabetes weight loss diet includes a modification of the usual therapeutic diet No. 9 with a reduced content of refined carbohydrates (sugar) and some fat restriction.However, such decisions should not be made without consulting a doctor: only together with a doctor can the patient create a safe diet with a reduced calorie content.