Unfortunately, a disease like type 2 diabetes affects more and more people every year. In terms of mortality, it ranks second, second only to oncology. The danger of such a disease is not only in constantly elevated glucose levels, but in the failure of almost all bodily functions.
The "mild" disease is not cured, you can only minimize the risk of complications and avoid the insulin-dependent type of diabetes. To normalize sugar levels, endocrinologists primarily prescribe a low-carbohydrate diet and regular physical therapy. It turns out that type 2 diabetes diet and nutritional treatment are the primary and primary therapy.
If with the help of diet therapy it is not possible to achieve the desired results, it is necessary to 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 level of sugar in the blood constantly rises. This is due to a decrease in the susceptibility of cells and tissues to the hormone insulin, 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, specific cause of type 2 diabetes, but doctors have identified risk factors, one of which is the age of 40. It is at this age that DM is often diagnosed. 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 need to go to the toilet;
- fast fatigue;
- drowsiness.
If at least one of the symptoms occurs, it is recommended to visit an endocrinologist for an analysis in order to rule out or confirm the presence of a disorder. The diagnosis is quite simple: the delivery of venous and capillary blood. If you know the symptoms and treatment will be effective.
Diabetes is more common in the following categories of people:
- age over 40;
- overweight by abdominal type;
- malnutrition, when light carbohydrates (sweets, flour products) predominate in the diet;
- sedentary lifestyle without proper physical activity;
- high blood pressure;
- the presence of diabetes in close relatives.
When treating a "mild" disease, a diet aimed at lowering blood sugar must be strictly adhered to.
diet therapy
>A properly formulated therapeutic diet, combined with moderate physical activity, will become the primary treatment for diabetes. One of the main rules is not to starve and not to overeat. The number of meals is six times a day. Last supper at least a few hours before bedtime.
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 menu of the day must include cereals, fruit, meat or fish and dairy products.
A diabetic's body suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals. This is due to a failure in metabolic processes not only of the endocrine system. This is why it is so important to have a balanced diet.
From the above, the basic principles of the diet can be distinguished:
- small meals, six times a day;
- minimum fluid intake - two liters;
- do not starve and do not overeat;
- dinner should be light, it is worth limiting yourself to a glass of fermented milk product or 150 grams of cottage cheese;
- fruit should be included in breakfast;
- when preparing vegetable dishes, use only seasonal products;
- choose the products according to the GIs.
All diabetic foods should have a low glycemic index. Endocrinologists adhere to this indicator when compiling diet therapy.
In addition to observing the principles of nutrition, one should not forget about the permissible heat treatment, which aims at the absence of bad cholesterol in dishes.
Cooking is allowed in the following ways:
- To boil;
- for a couple;
- in the microwave;
- bake in the oven;
- in a multi-kitchen;
- stew, using a small amount of vegetable oil.
It is necessary to study the concept of GI separately and learn for yourself how to form a diet based on personal taste preferences.
After all, the choice of diabetic products is quite large and allows you to cook a lot of healthy dishes.
GI of products in diet therapy
The glycemic index is a measure that reflects the effect of a certain food after eating it on increasing blood sugar levels. Products with a low glycemic index contain complex digestible carbohydrates, which are not only necessary for the patient, but also give him a feeling of satiety for a long time.
Diabetics must choose from those categories of foods that have a low GI. Food with an average indicator can be in the diet only occasionally, no more than twice a week. Products with a high glycemic index are capable of raising the glucose level to 4 mmol / l in a fairly short period of time.
The glycemic index of foods is divided into three categories. But 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 they contain bad cholesterol and high calorie content.
A bright one will take fat, which does not contain carbohydrates and has 0 units, but is categorically contraindicated for diabetics. GI Division:
- 0 - 50 units - low;
- 50 - 69 units - medium;
- over 70 units - tall.
There is a special table of products with indices to make it easier for the patient to create a menu for himself. Some products after heat treatment can significantly increase the index - these are beets and carrots. Raw are allowed, but boiled under prohibition.
The therapeutic diet allows you to cook dishes from such vegetables:
- onion;
- all varieties of cabbage: white and red, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli;
- garlic;
- aubergine;
- tomato;
- string beans and asparagus;
- Lentils;
- peas;
- squash;
- cucumber.
Many people are used to having potatoes on the table. But with a "sweet" disease, it is best to reject it because of the high GI. In very rare cases, when it is still decided to use the tubers, it is advisable to put them in the water overnight. Thus, you can get rid of the starch and slightly reduce the index.
Vegetables for a diabetic are a source of vitamins, trace elements and fiber. They prepare not only fresh salads, but also complex side dishes and dishes. It is allowed to diversify the taste qualities with vegetables: spinach, lettuce, oregano, basil, dill and parsley.
Fruit is an equally important component of the diet. The permissible daily norm should not exceed 150 - 200 grams. Fruits, even with a low index, cannot be squeezed. With this treatment, they lose fiber and glucose quickly enters the bloodstream.
During the diet, the following fruits and berries are allowed:
- cherry;
- apricot;
- Pear;
- Nectarine;
- persimmon;
- black and red currant;
- all citrus varieties: orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, pomelo and lime;
- gooseberry;
- sweet cherry;
- fishing.
There are a lot of valuable substances in dried fruit, more than 50 grams per day are not allowed. Dried fruit is great to add to cereals, thus creating a complete food dish. Low glycemic index nuts - dried apricots, plums and figs.
Meat, offal, fish and seafood are also a daily part of the menu. At the same time, fish should be present at least three times in the weekly diet. Choose lean meats and fish. From them, the skin and remnants of fat are removed, in which there are no 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 opt for cod, hake, pike or perch.
Cereals are a source of energy, so they give a feeling of satiety for a long time. Some of them have a high GI, especially white rice. Its alternative will be brown rice, whose GI is 50 units. It takes a little longer to cook - about 45 minutes.
Barley is considered the most valuable cereal, its GI is only 22 units. Other types of cereals are also allowed:
- barley grain;
- buckwheat;
- oatmeal;
- wheat polenta.
By the way, the denser the porridge, the lower its index.
There are few restrictions on dairy and dairy products. All of them are based on the fat content of the products. Therefore, it would be rational to refuse sour cream, margarine and butter.
Medical treatment
If with the help of diet therapy it is not possible to achieve the desired results, 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 side effects. Only an endocrinologist can choose the right pills for the patient, taking into account his body characteristics and the course of the disease.
The purpose of hypoglycemic drugs is to stimulate pancreatic cells to increase the production of the hormone insulin so that it is in the blood in the required amount.
If in this case it is not possible to normalize the level of glucose in the blood, the therapy includes several groups of hypoglycemic tablets.
Additional measures
If you have type 2 diabetes, treatment should include doable physical activity. This serves as an excellent compensation for high sugar levels.
That is, when playing sports in the body, all metabolic processes are accelerated and glucose is absorbed faster.
You should devote at least half an hour a day to this lesson. If you can't exercise every day, then at least you have to walk in the fresh air for forty minutes.
You can choose the following types of physical activity for type 2 diabetics:
- yoga;
- Nordic walking;
- sporting walks;
- jogging;
- Cycling;
- I swim.
If a person wants to study at home, then on the Internet there are many video courses dedicated specifically to diabetics.
If the training takes place outside the home and after them there is a feeling of hunger, then it is permissible to have an additional meal - a snack. An ideal option would be 50 grams of walnuts, which contain nutritious protein, have a low GI and fight appetite perfectly. It is enough not to exceed the permissible daily allowance, because such a product is high-calorie.
From all of the above, it should be concluded that the manifestation of diabetes can be minimized using only two rules: follow the principles of diet therapy for diabetes and exercise regularly.