Unfortunately, a disease like type 2 diabetes is becoming more and more common every year. In terms of mortality, it ranks second, second only to oncology. The danger of such a disease is not only a constantly increased level of glucose, but also the disruption of almost all functions of the body.
There is no cure for the "sweet" disease, it is only possible to reduce the risk of complications and prevent insulin-dependent type diabetes. To normalize sugar levels, endocrinologists first prescribe a low-carbohydrate diet and regular exercise therapy. It turns out that type 2 diabetes diet and nutritional treatment is the main and primary therapy.
If the desired results cannot be achieved with the help of diet therapy, hypoglycemic drugs should be started. It is also necessary to monitor blood indicators at home with a glucometer.
Causes and symptoms
Diabetes refers to diseases of the endocrine system, when the blood sugar level constantly increases. This is due to a decrease in the sensitivity of cells, as well as tissues, to the hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas.
It is noteworthy that the body produces this hormone in sufficient quantities, but the cells do not react with it. This condition is called insulin resistance.
There is no single and specific cause of type 2 diabetes, but doctors have identified risk factors, one of which is age 40. It is at this age that DM is often diagnosed. However, this does not mean that the disease has developed significantly. Most likely, the patient simply ignored the symptoms of prediabetes for many years, thus exhausting the body.
Signs of SD:
- thirst;
- dry mouth;
- slow healing of wounds and scratches;
- frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- rapid fatigue;
- sleepiness
If at least one of the symptoms occurs, it is recommended to visit an endocrinologist for an analysis to rule out or confirm the presence of the ailment. The diagnosis is quite simple - delivery of venous and capillary blood. If you know the symptoms and the treatment will be effective.
Diabetes is more common in the following categories of people:
- age over 40 years;
- overweight according to the type of abdomen;
- improper diet, when the diet is dominated by light carbohydrates (sweets, flour products);
- a sedentary lifestyle without adequate physical activity;
- high blood pressure;
- presence of diabetes in close relatives.
When treating a "sweet" disease, it is necessary to strictly follow a diet aimed at reducing blood glucose levels.
diet therapy
>A properly formulated therapeutic diet together with moderate physical activity will become the main way of treating diabetes. One of the main rules is not to starve and not to overeat. The number of meals is six times a day. Last dinner at least a few hours before bedtime.
Type 2 diabetes Diet and nutritional therapy stabilize blood sugar levels. Up to half a day's ration should include vegetables. The daily menu should also include cereals, fruits, meat or fish and dairy products.
The body of people with diabetes suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals. This is due not only to the disruption of the metabolic processes of the endocrine system. This is why it is so important to eat a balanced diet.
From the above, the main principles of the diet can be distinguished:
- small meals, six times a day;
- minimum liquid consumption - two liters;
- do not starve or overeat;
- dinner should be light, it should be limited to a glass of fermented milk product or 150 grams of cottage cheese;
- fruit should be included in breakfast;
- use only seasonal products when cooking vegetable dishes;
- choose products according to GI.
All foods intended for diabetics must have a low glycemic index. This indicator is followed by endocrinologists when formulating diet therapy.
In addition to the observance of nutritional principles, one should not forget the permitted heat treatment, which aims to ensure that the dishes do not contain bad cholesterol.
Cooking is allowed in the following ways:
- to cook;
- couples;
- in a microwave oven;
- bake in the oven;
- multicooker;
- sauté using a small amount of vegetable oil.
It is necessary to study the concept of GI separately and independently learn to create a diet according to personal taste preferences.
After all, the selection of products for diabetics is quite wide and allows you to cook many healthy dishes.
GI of diet therapy products
The glycemic index is a measure of the effect of a certain food on raising blood sugar levels. Products with a low GI contain complex digestible carbohydrates, which are not only necessary for the patient, but also provide a feeling of satiety for a long time.
Diabetics should choose from those food categories that have a low GI. Food with an average index can be included in the diet only occasionally, no more than twice a week. High GI products can increase glucose levels up to 4 mmol/l in a relatively short time.
The glycemic index of foods is divided into three categories. However, in addition to this value, you need to pay attention to the calorie content of food. So, some foods have a value of zero units, but at the same time contain bad cholesterol and a lot of calories.
Bright will take fats that do not contain carbohydrates and contain 0 units, but it is strictly prohibited for diabetics. GI Department:
- 0 - 50 units - small;
- 50 - 69 units - average;
- over 70 units - high.
There is a special table of products with indexes to make it easier for the patient to create his own menu. Some products after heat treatment can significantly increase the index - these are beets and carrots. They are allowed raw, but cooked according to the ban.
The therapeutic diet allows you to prepare dishes from the following vegetables:
- onion;
- all varieties of cabbage - white and red, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli;
- garlic;
- Eggplant;
- tomato;
- green beans and green beans;
- lenses;
- peas;
- Squash;
- cucumber
Many people are used to having potatoes on the table. But with a "sweet" disease, it is better to abandon it due to its high GI. In very rare cases, when it is still decided to use tubers, they need to be pre-soaked in water overnight. So you can get rid of starch and slightly reduce the index.
Vegetables are a source of vitamins, trace elements and fiber for diabetics. They prepare not only fresh salads, but also side dishes, as well as complex dishes. It is allowed to diversify the taste characteristics with greens - spinach, lettuce, oregano, basil, dill and parsley.
Fruits are an equally important part of the diet. The daily rate should not exceed 150 - 200 grams. Fruits, even with a low index, cannot be juiced. With this treatment, they lose fiber and glucose quickly enters the bloodstream.
Following the diet, the following fruits and berries are allowed:
- cherry;
- apricot;
- pear;
- nectarine;
- persimmons;
- black and red currants;
- all kinds of citrus fruits - orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, pomelo and lime;
- gooseberry;
- sweet cherries;
- peach
Dried fruits contain many valuable substances, no more than 50 grams per day is allowed. Dried fruits are suitable for adding to cereals, thus creating a complete meal. Dried fruits with a low GI - dried apricots, plums and figs.
Meat, offal, fish and seafood are also part of the daily menu. At the same time, the weekly diet should include fish at least three times. Choose lean meat and fish. They remove the skin and fat residues, which do not contain vitamins, but only bad cholesterol.
Endocrinologists recommend the following products:
- chicken;
- rabbit meat;
- Turkey;
- beef;
- quail;
- chicken liver;
- beef liver;
- beef tongue;
- beef lungs.
There are no restrictions on the choice of seafood. From fish, you can choose pike, pike, pike or perch.
Cereals are a source of energy, so they provide a feeling of satiety for a long time. Some of them have a high GI, especially white rice. Its alternative will be brown (brown) rice with a GI of 50 units. Cooking takes a little longer - about 45 minutes.
Barley is considered the most valuable grain, its GI is only 22 units. Other types of grain are also allowed:
- barley groats;
- buckwheat;
- oatmeal;
- wheat porridge.
By the way, the thicker the porridge, the lower its index.
There are several restrictions on milk and sour milk products. All of them are based on the fat content of the products. Therefore, it would be rational to abandon sour cream, margarine and butter.
Medical treatment
If it is not possible to achieve the desired results with the help of diet therapy, the doctor is forced to prescribe hypoglycemic drugs. Their choice in the pharmaceutical market is wide.
Self-medication is prohibited, as all pills have their own side effects. Only an endocrinologist can choose the right pills for a patient, taking into account the characteristics of his body and the course of the disease.
The purpose of hypoglycemic drugs is to stimulate the cells of the pancreas to increase the production of the hormone insulin, so that it is in the right amount in the blood.
If in this case it is not possible to normalize the blood glucose level, then the therapy includes several groups of hypoglycemic tablets.
Additional measures
In type 2 diabetes, treatment should include physical activity whenever possible. It perfectly compensates for the high sugar content.
That is, during sports, all metabolic processes in the body speed up, glucose is absorbed faster.
You should devote at least half an hour a day to this lesson. If you cannot exercise every day, then you need to walk in the fresh air for at least forty minutes.
For people with type 2 diabetes, you can choose the following types of physical activity:
- yoga;
- Narrow passage;
- athletic walking;
- jogging;
- Cycling Sport;
- swimming
If a person wants to learn at home, then there are many video courses on the Internet specifically for diabetics.
If the training takes place outside the home and you feel hungry after it, then it is allowed to prepare an additional dish - a snack. An ideal option would be 50 grams of nuts, which contain nutritious protein, low GI and are great at fighting appetite. Just do not exceed the daily limit, because such a product is high in calories.
From the above, it can be concluded that the occurrence of diabetes can be reduced by following only two rules: following the principles of diabetes diet therapy and regular exercise.