What is the appropriate food for a diabetic patient?
What is the appropriate food for a diabetic patient?
The type of food a diabetic patient eats is one of the most important factors affecting his sugar level, so care must be taken to know the appropriate food for a diabetic patient, especially since some types of food may cause a sudden rise in blood sugar, which represents a great danger to the patient's life.
We find - therefore - that the step of following a healthy diet is the ideal solution for the treatment of diabetes from the second stage, especially since a balanced diet may help many patients to reduce symptoms and live life better without fear of complications, with a commitment to follow-up with the specialist doctor, And take the appropriate medication for the condition continuously and regularly.
During this article, we will explain what is the appropriate food for a diabetic patient, with suggestions for meals suitable for patients with types of diabetes for a full day.
What types of food are suitable for diabetics?
We mentioned in the previous paragraph that the diet is one of the most important factors that affect the level of sugar in the blood, so it is necessary for the patient to pay attention to the type of food he eats in addition to consulting a specialist doctor, continuous follow-up with him, and taking medication on time regularly.
The role of food in the life of a diabetic patient will remain very important. If the patient can deal with it properly and work to use it for his benefit, he can protect himself from the severity of symptoms and serious complications that may threaten his life, and he can enjoy a normal life.
Eating carbohydrates leads to a sudden increase in the level of sugar in the blood, so the diabetic patient must reduce the proportion of carbohydrates in his meals, especially complex carbohydrates, and relies more on whole grains and legumes.
It is preferable that the diet of a diabetic patient contain:
Fresh vegetables.
fresh fruit.
Whole grains like wheat and oats.
Healthy fats such as: olive oil and nuts.
Lean proteins such as: red meat and chicken.
What meals are useful for a diabetic patient?
The idea that suitable alternatives are not available for a diabetic patient is a wrong idea, as there are many suitable alternatives that do not pose any harm to him. Among these alternatives:
Brown rice, oatmeal, or wholemeal instead of white flour and rice.
Vegetable proteins such as: beans, unsalted nuts, and some legumes.
Chicken breasts because the percentage of fat is less.
eggs.
Low-fat dairy products.
Olive oil or coconut oil are healthy fats.
Natural butter.
Natural and low-fat cheeses.
Fresh fruits and vegetables.
Leafy vegetables such as spinach and watercress.
Onions and eggplant.
Colored peppers and carrots.
avocado.
We must take into account the importance of determining the amount of foods we eat, in order to avoid obesity, and protect ourselves from gaining weight.
Are there foods a diabetic should avoid?
Some types of food cause a sudden rise in the level of sugar in the blood, and represent a danger to the patient, as it may, at times, cause the patient to have a sugar attack.
Among these foods:
Soft and sweetened drinks: These drinks contain a high percentage of carbohydrates, which in turn raise the level of sugar in the blood suddenly, and they contain a high percentage of fructose, which may cause an increase in the body’s resistance to insulin and liver problems.
Saturated industrial fats: They are found in abundance in margarine, coffee creamers, peanut butter, processed cheese, and some baked goods to extend their shelf life. These fats are dangerous for diabetics because they increase the rate of inflammation, the body's resistance to insulin, and cause obesity as well because they increase abdominal fat.
White bread, pasta and rice: the percentage of carbohydrates is high in them, which causes a rise in the level of sugar in the blood, and they also contain a small percentage of fiber that has an important role in regulating the level of sugar in the blood, and for this reason the diabetic patient should avoid them and replace them with more healthy ingredients such as flour Brown and brown rice.
Sweetened fruit flavored yogurt: It contains a small amount of low-fat dairy, in exchange for a high percentage of carbohydrates and sugar, unlike the regular types of yogurt.
Coffee with different flavors: plain coffee without any additives that are beneficial to the body. Drinking a cup of coffee a day helps to improve the health of the body, but on the condition that it is fresh coffee beans without artificial additives. It is high in sugar and carbohydrates, and thus causes a problem for a diabetic patient, hence its harm.
Honey: We all agree that honey is good for the body and helps in treating many diseases, but one should beware of diabetics using it as a sweetener as a substitute for white sugar, because it contains a high percentage of sugar. The use of sugar extracted from the stevia plant is the best alternative for a diabetic patient compared to using honey or brown sugar for sweetening.
Dried fruits: Fruits contain a percentage of water, sugar, and plant fibers that are important for diabetics, but drying fruits removes them from water, and increases the percentage of fiber and sugar in them, which affects the level of sugar in the body. contains all the nutrients in the fruit.
Crackers and snacks: These foods lack natural fiber, and they contain a high percentage of carbohydrates, because basically most of them are made from white flour.
Fruit juices: Fruit juices can harm a diabetic patient, because they increase the level of sugar in the blood. They also contain fruit sugar without any fiber. Fruit juices also contain fructose, which causes obesity and increases the body's resistance to insulin.
Fried foods: they contain high levels of unhealthy fats and starches, which lead to a sudden increase in the level of sugar in the blood, as well as cause weight gain, which is one of the most difficult problems that threaten a diabetic patient.
Examples of diabetic meals for a full day
There are many healthy options, and a diabetic patient can eat a variety of delicious foods that will help him improve his blood sugar level, as well as lose weight.
For example, meals could be:
Breakfast: fresh vegetables such as watercress with a plate of beans in olive oil, with a loaf of wholegrain bread with a glass of low-fat milk.
Lunch: a plate of salad with grilled chicken breast with suitable vegetables.
Dinner: a cup of low-fat yogurt with fruit.
You should consult a doctor and ask for his help in determining the appropriate diet for the patient in order to maintain his blood sugar levels.
Exercising regularly, even simple ones such as walking, following a healthy diet low in carbohydrates, following up with a specialist doctor regularly, and taking medications regularly are the basic steps that help a diabetic patient maintain his health and protect himself from serious complications.