Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body is unable to convert glucose into energy. The hormone insulin which helps in the conversion is found in low quantities or may not be used by the body reasonably in such eventualities.
Common symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, increased hunger, lot of urination, tiredness, weight reduction, problems with vision, respiratory infections, dry skin and shivering in the hands or feet.
Diet plays a major role in effectively managing diabetes. The ideal diabetes diet should offer essential nutrients needed and also help in maintaining satisfactory sugar levels in the body. Some factors which should be kept in mind while planning a diabetes diet include the age, gender, height, weight, the amount of physical activity of a person. The diet also needs to be further adjusted according to the insulin dosage. If conditions like hypertension or cholesterol are also present, then one must exercise caution in planning the diet and make sure that these problems aren’t further worsened.
At the beginning of your day, you can have warm water and a drink of fresh lemon juice. Your breakfast can include fresh fruits, such as oranges, pineapples, guavas and pomegranates. You may take bread with butter and fresh milk in the breakfast.
Green leafy plants should be a prominent feature for your lunch given their high nutrient value . To retain the health inducing elements of the plants, it’s best to steam them and not cook them by employing unhealthy techniques such as deep frying. Some of the veggies that you can include in your daily diet are celery, brinjal, cabbage, asparagus, spinach and other similar foods. Whole wheat breads are recommended for lunch as well along with curd or milk butter which is known to help digestion.
A salad made of fresh vegetables and cottage cheese can make for a nice meal for dinner. If you still feel hungry, you may have a glass of milk along with a light snack.
Recent investigations have found out that bitter gourd is extremely useful in the treatment of diabetes. It contains an element known as plant-insulin, which lowers the blood sugar levels. You need to take two to three tumblers of the bitter gourd juice each day in between the meals to efficiently manage your diabetes.
There are some food items that you must strictly refrain from if you’re coping with diabetes. White flour products are a stern no-no. Stay away from foods like white bread, chocolates, pastries, white rice, puddings and anything made of refined cereals. Also limit your intake of tea and coffee as they can hamper your digestive system. Diabetics should also refrain from alcohol.
Besides eating healthy, you should also opt for healthy cooking practices. Deep frying is a no-no. Go in for healthy cooking techniques such as boiling, broiling, baking or saut. Steaming is the best cooking methodology. If you’re a non vegetarian then choose reduced fat meat. Do not eat red meat as it is rich in fat. Seasonings are also rich in sugar so they must be avoided. Try to use ketchup, mustard and other dressings to minimum possible.
By adhering to these given suggestions, it should not be difficult at all to keep a check on your diabetes and manage it effectively.
