What’s the Best Diet For Diabetes?

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are progressive conditions for which there is, at present, no known cure. However, people with either form of the disease can usually lead normal, fully functioning lives by managing their condition appropriately. Perhaps the most important factor in managing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is following a nutritious and appropriate diet.

The Type 1 version of diabetes is characterized by the inability of the pancreas to generate a sufficient insulin output. This leads to a build up of glucose in the bloodstream and renders the body unable to use it to produce energy in the normal manner. Over time, the body will completely lose its ability to produce insulin. While insulin injections are mandatory for Type 1 sufferers, they can supplement their management of this disease by implementing a healthy dietary regimen, which will serve as a complement to the required insulin treatments.

Dietary changes can also create a situation where more insulin is required and the blood sugar becomes more difficult to maintain, for example consuming food that are high in carbohydrates will create a situation where more insulin is needed. There is a fine line that must be monitored in walking the tightrope between sugar consumption, insulin readings, and exercise in order to keep glucose levels at a safe, manageable level. When these components are not in balance, glucose levels can and will fluctuate quite a bit. This is why it is imperative that people with Type 1 diabetes taking fixed doses of insulin should watch their carb intake closely at every meal and snack.

With Type 2 diabetes, the problem lies not in the body’s production of insulin, but in it’s response to insulin. Type 2 has been shown to be at least partially connected to a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. This means that the nutritional goals for people with Type 2 diabetes will be slightly different. With Type 2 diabetes the primary focus becomes losing weight and being sure not to gain it back. The vast majority of Type 2 patients are too heavy or grossly overweight. For these people, the dietary changes begin with reducing calorie intake, eliminating saturated fat, close monitoring of carbohydrates and incorporating healthy monounsaturated fats including nuts and peanut butter. Not only will this diet serve to cause weight loss, it will stabilize the critical glucose levels.

Changes in eating habits combined with increased physical activity will help to reduce insulin resistance and improve blood sugar control. Carbohydrate consumption should come from healthy whole grains, pasta, brown rice, beans and fresh fruit and vegetables rather than heavily processed foods. On occasion, one still might eat foods with a lot of sugar, such as birthday cake, for example. However, on those days when cake, candy or other sweets are consumed, one must then ensure that their usual daily intake of certain carbs like rice, pasta or potatoes is adjusted accordingly as well. This will help you to be sure that calories and carbohydrates are balanced, and glucose levels are kept in line.

Diabetes is a serious health condition which can result in acute health issues and possibly death. In certain instances, it can be treated by making changes to your diet. If you’re looking for a gestational diabetes diet plan or other advice on managing the condition, drop by the Diabetes Treatment site.