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Content
Diabetes
Diabetes Information
-Diabetes Facts
-History of Diabetes
-Causes of Diabetes
-Diabetes Complications
-Diabetes Education
-Diabetes Research
Diabetes Mellitus
-Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms
-Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
-Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
-Diabetes Mellitus Treatment
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
-Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
-Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
-Type 1 Diabetes Diet
-Type 1 Diabetes Cure
Type 2 Diabetes
-Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
-Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
-Type 2 Diabetes Causes
-Type 2 Diabetes Diet
-Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
-Type 2 Diabetes Medications
Gestational Diabetes
-Gestational Diabetes Test
-Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
-Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan
-Gestational Diabetes Treatment
Juvenile Diabetes
-Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms
-Juvenile Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes Insipidus
-Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus
-Treatment for Diabetes Insipidus
Feline Diabetes
Diabetes Symptoms
-Signs of Diabetes
Also: Diabetes Sign Symptoms
-Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
Also: Type II Diabetes Symptoms
-Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
-Symptoms, Juvenile Diabetes
Also: Diabetes Symptoms in Child
Glucose
(see also Blood Glucose)
-Glucose Level
Also: Blood Glucose Level
-Glucose Meter
Also: Blood Glucose Meter
-Glucose Monitor
Also: Blood Glucose Monitor
-Glucose Test
Also: Glucose Tolerance Test
-Glucose Intolerance
Diabetes Diet
-Diabetes Food
-Diabetes Nutrition
-Diabetes Diet Plan
-Type 2 Diabetes Diet
Diabetes Supply
-Diabetes Testing Supply
Diabetes Treatment
-Diabetes
Medications
-Alternative Treatment for Diabetes
Insulin
-Insulin Resistance
-Insulin Pump
-Lantus Insulin
Diabetes Care
-Diabetes Management
-Diabetes Associations
-Diabetes Prevention
-Diabetes Cure
Diabetes
is the No. 6 leading causes of deaths in the United States, according to 2001
data from the United States National Center for Health Statistics.
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Diabetes Diet
(General Information)
Definition
Specific diabetic dietary guidelines have been developed by the American
Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association to improve the
management of diabetes.
Key principles are to:
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Achieve weight control through reducing calories
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Reduce intake of dietary fat (specifically saturated fat)
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Individualize guidelines for carbohydrates based on the type of diabetes you
have and the control of your blood sugar levels.
Function
There are two primary types of diabetes and the nutritional goals for each
are different.
With type 1 diabetes, studies show that total carbohydrate has the most
effect on the amount of insulin needed and maintaining blood sugar control.
There is a delicate balance of carbohydrate intake, insulin, and physical
activity that is necessary for optimal blood levels of a sugar called glucose.
If these components are not in balance, there can be wide fluctuations, from too
high to too low, in blood glucose levels. For those with type 1 diabetes, on a
fixed dose of insulin, the carbohydrate content of meals and snacks should be
consistent from day to day.
For children with type 1 diabetes, weight and growth patterns are a useful
way to determine if the child's intake is adequate. Try not to withhold food or
give food when a child is not hungry. Insulin dosing and scheduling should be
based on a child's usual eating and exercise habits.
With type 2 diabetes, the main focus is on weight control, because 80% to 90%
of people with this disease are overweight. A meal plan, with reduced calories,
even distribution of carbohydrates, and replacement of some carbohydrate with
healthier monounsaturated fats helps improve blood glucose levels. Examples of
foods high in monounsaturated fat include peanut or almond butter, almonds,
walnuts, and other nuts. These can be substituted for carbohydrates, but
portions should be small because these foods are high in calories.
In many cases, moderate weight loss and increased physical activity can
control type 2 diabetes. Some people will need to take oral medications or
insulin in addition to lifestyle changes.
Children with type 2 diabetes present special challenges. Meal plans should
be recalculated often to account for the child's change in calorie requirements
as he or she grows. Three smaller meals and 3 snacks are often required to meet
calorie needs. Changes in eating habits and increased physical activity help
reduce insulin resistance and improve blood sugar control. When at parties or
during holidays, sugar-containing foods can still be eaten, but your child
should have fewer carbohydrates on that day. For example, if birthday cake,
Halloween candy, or other sweets are eaten, the usual daily amount of potatoes,
pasta, or rice should be eliminated. This substitution helps keep calories and
carbohydrates in better balance.
For children with either type of diabetes, special occasions (like birthdays
or Halloween) require additional planning because of the sweets that abound.
Recommendations
Reduce the amount of dietary fat. The current American Diabetes association
guidelines advise that less than 7-10% of calories should come from saturated
fat. These are the fats that raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol
should be less than 200-300 mg per day. Additionally, intake of
trans-unsaturated fats should be minimized. These are better known as partially
hydrogenated oils. Reducing fat intake may help contribute to modest weight
loss.
Keep protein intake in the range of 15-20% of total calories. Choices low in
fat are recommended such as nonfat dairy products, legumes, skinless poultry,
fish and lean meats. To keep the cholesterol content in range, approximately 6
ounces of protein per day is recommended. This is about the size of 2 decks of
cards.
Carbohydrate choices should come from whole grains breads, cereals, pasta,
brown rice, beans, fruits and vegetables. Increasing dietary fiber is a general
guideline for the entire population rather than specifically for people with
diabetes. Portions and type of carbohydrate affect calories and is reflected by
weight and blood glucose control. Learning to read labels for total carbohydrate
rather than sugar provides the best information for blood sugar control.
Limit sources of high calorie and low nutritional value foods, including
those with a high content of sugars. Sugar-containing foods should be
substituted for other carbohydrate sources (such as potatoes) instead of just
adding them on to the meal.
A registered dietitian can help you best decide how to balance your diet with
carbohydrates, protein and fat.
(From the National Institute of Health)
See also
-Diabetes Food
-Diabetes Nutrition
-Diabetes Diet Plan
-Type 2 Diabetes Diet
Note:
This diabetes
health education project is supported
by Chong's Health Care at http://www.cljhealth.com, one of the leading companies in the discovery of
alternative
medicines for diabetes.
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