Unfortunately, a disease like type 2 diabetes affects more and more people every year. In terms of mortality, it ranks second only after oncology. The danger of such a disease lies not only in the constantly elevated glucose level, but also in the failure of almost all body functions.
The "sweet" disease is not treated, it can only minimize the risk of complications and avoid insulin-dependent diabetes. In order to normalize sugar levels, endocrinologists primarily prescribe a low-carbohydrate diet and regular exercise therapy. It turns out that diet and nutritional management are the main and primary therapy for type 2 diabetes.
If the desired result is not achieved with the help of dietary therapy, you should start taking hypoglycemic drugs. It is also necessary to monitor the blood count with a glucometer at home.
Causes and symptoms
Diabetes refers to diseases of the endocrine system, when the blood sugar level rises continuously. This is due to the sensitivity of cells and tissues to the insulin hormone produced by the pancreas.
It is noteworthy that the body produces this hormone in sufficient quantities, but the cells do not react to 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. DM is often diagnosed at this age. But this does not mean that the disease has developed dramatically. Most likely, the patient simply ignored the symptoms of prediabetes for many years, thereby exhausting the body.
Signs of SD:
- thirst;
- dry mouth;
- slow healing of wounds and abrasions;
- frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- rapid fatigue;
- drowsiness.
If at least one of the symptoms appears, it is recommended to visit an endocrinologist for analysis to rule out or confirm the presence of the disease. 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:
- Age over 40 years;
- overweight according to abdominal type;
- malnutrition, when light carbohydrates (sweets, flour products) predominate in the diet;
- sedentary lifestyle without adequate physical activity;
- hypertension;
- the presence of diabetes in close relatives.
When treating the "sweet" disease, a diet aimed at lowering blood sugar levels must be strictly followed.
dietary therapy
>A properly prepared therapeutic diet combined with moderate physical activity will be the main treatment method for diabetes. One of the main rules is not to starve and not to eat too much. The number of meals is six times a day. The last dinner is at least a few hours before going to bed.
Type 2 diabetes Diet and nutritional therapy stabilize blood sugar levels. Up to half of the daily diet should consist of vegetables. In addition, the daily menu should include cereals, fruits, meat or fish and dairy products.
The body of a diabetic suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals. This is not only due to the failure of the metabolic processes of the endocrine system. That's why a balanced diet is so important.
The main principles of the diet can be distinguished from the above:
- small meals, six times a day;
- minimum fluid intake - two liters;
- do not starve or overeat;
- dinner should be light, you should limit it to a glass of fermented milk product or 150 grams of cottage cheese;
- fruit should be included in the breakfast;
- use only seasonal products to prepare vegetable dishes;
- choose products according to GI.
All diabetic foods should have a low glycemic index. Endocrinologists adhere to this indicator when compiling dietary therapy.
In addition to observing the nutritional principles, one should not forget about the permitted heat treatment, which aims to eliminate bad cholesterol in food.
Cooking is permitted in the following ways:
- boil;
- for a couple;
- in the microwave;
- bake in the oven;
- in a multicooker;
- roasted, using a small amount of vegetable oil.
It is necessary to learn the concept of GI separately and independently learn how to create a diet based on personal taste preferences.
After all, the selection of products for diabetics is quite extensive and allows you to prepare many healthy dishes.
The products used in diet therapy are GI
The glycemic index is a measure that reflects the effect of raising blood sugar after eating a certain food. Products with a low GI contain complex digestible carbohydrates, which are not only necessary for the patient, but also give a feeling of satiety for a long time.
Diabetics should choose from food categories that have a low GI. Food with an average index can only be included in the diet occasionally, at most once a week. Products with a high GI content can raise the glucose level to 4 mmol / l in a fairly short time.
The glycemic index of foods can be divided into three categories. But in addition to this value, you should also 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 high calorie content.
It takes a shiny fat that does not contain carbohydrates and contains 0 units, but it is categorically contraindicated for diabetics. GI division:
- 0 - 50 units - low;
- 50 - 69 units - medium;
- Above 70 units - high.
There is a special table of products with indexes to make it easier for the patient to create a menu for himself. Some products can significantly increase the index after heat treatment - these are beets and carrots. They are allowed raw, but cooked during the ban.
The therapeutic diet allows you to cook dishes from such vegetables:
- onion;
- all types of cabbage - white and red, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli;
- garlic;
- eggplant;
- tomato;
- fiber and asparagus;
- lens;
- pea;
- Floorball;
- cucumber.
Many people are used to having potatoes on their table. But in the case of a "sweet" disease, it is better to refuse it because of the high GI. In very rare cases, when they still decide to use the tubers, they need to be soaked in water overnight. This way you can get rid of the starch and slightly reduce the index.
Vegetables for diabetics are a source of vitamins, microelements and fiber. They prepare not only fresh salads, but also side dishes and complex dishes. It is allowed to diversify the taste qualities with greens - spinach, lettuce, oregano, basil, dill and parsley.
Fruits are an equally important component of the diet. The permissible daily norm should not exceed 150-200 grams. Even low-index fruits cannot be juiced. With this treatment, they lose fiber and glucose enters the bloodstream quickly.
During the diet, the following fruits and berries are allowed:
- cherry;
- apricot;
- pear;
- nectarine;
- persimmon;
- black and red currants;
- all types of citrus fruits - orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, pomelo and lime;
- gooseberry;
- sweet cherry;
- peach.
There are many valuable substances in dried fruits, a maximum of 50 grams per day is allowed. Dried fruits are good to add to cereals, so they make a complete meal. Dried fruits with low GI - dried apricots, prunes and figs.
Meat, offal, fish and seafood are also part of the daily menu. At the same time, fish must be present in the weekly diet at least three times. Choose lean meat and fish. They remove the skin and fat residues, which contain no vitamins, only bad cholesterol.
Endocrinologists recommend the following products:
- chicken;
- rabbit meat;
- turkey;
- beef;
- quail;
- chicken liver;
- beef liver;
- beef tongue;
- beef lung.
There are no restrictions on the choice of seafood. Among the fish, you can choose pike, hake, pike or perch.
Cereals are a source of energy, so they give you a feeling of satiety for a long time. Some of them have a high GI, especially white rice. The alternative will be brown (brown) rice, which has a GI of 50 units. Cooking takes a little longer - about 45 minutes.
Barley is considered the most valuable cereal, its GI is only 22 units. Other types of cereals are also allowed:
- barley groats;
- buckwheat;
- cereal;
- wheat porridge.
By the way, the denser the porridge, the lower its index.
There are few restrictions on dairy products and sour milk products. All are based on the fat content of the products. Therefore, it would be reasonable to refuse sour cream, margarine and butter.
Medical treatment
If the desired result cannot be achieved with the help of diet therapy, the doctor is forced to prescribe hypoglycemic drugs. They have a wide selection on the pharmaceutical market.
Self-medication is prohibited, as each pill has its own side effects. Only an endocrinologist can choose the right pills for the patient, taking into account the characteristics of the body and the course of the disease.
The goal of hypoglycemic drugs is to stimulate the cells of the pancreas to increase the production of the hormone insulin so that it enters the blood in the required amount.
If in this case it is not possible to normalize the level of glucose in the blood, then the therapy includes several hypoglycemic tablets.
Additional measures
In the case of type 2 diabetes, treatment should include feasible physical activity. This perfectly compensates for high sugar levels.
In other words, during sports, all metabolic processes in the body speed up and glucose is absorbed faster.
You should devote at least half an hour daily to this lesson. If you can't exercise daily, you should walk for at least forty minutes in the fresh air.
For people with type 2 diabetes, you can choose from the following types of physical activity:
- yoga;
- Nordic walking;
- sports walk;
- jogging;
- cycling;
- swimming.
If someone wants to study at home, there are many video courses on the Internet specifically for people with diabetes.
If the training takes place outside the home and you feel hungry after them, then an additional meal - a snack - is allowed. An ideal solution is 50 grams of walnuts, which contain nutritious protein, have a low GI and perfectly fight against appetite. Just do not exceed the permissible daily dose, because such a product is high in calories.
The conclusion can be drawn from the above that the manifestation of diabetes can be minimized by applying only two rules: follow the basic principles of diabetes diet therapy and exercise regularly.