Diet Guidelines for Diabetes Good health is a major resource and an important dimension of the quality of life. But in present times, changes in lifestyle and dietary pattern stemming from rapid modernization have favoured an increase in the occurrence of noncommunicable yet chronic and degenerative diet related diseases (mainly obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome as well as diabetes). India, the world's second most populous country, now has more people with type2 diabetes (more than 50 million) than any other nation. With India having the highest number of diabetic patients in the world, the sugar disease is posing an enormous health problem in the country. There is an urgent need to educate people in India regarding the disease and the different management options available. As healthcare providers, our first responsibility is to promote the message of healthy lifestyle among patients to reach the goal of diabetes management.
Here are few dietary tips helpful for the diabetic patientsFOODS TO BE AVOIDED: 1. Sugar, jaggary, honey, sweet dishes, jam, jelly, carbonated beverages and fruit juices. 2. Maida products, instead prefer whole wheat or multigrain products (like brown or multigrain bread). 3. Deep fried products like chips, papad, bhajji, pakoda, samosa etc. 4. Ghee, butter, dalda, cheese, coconut or palm oil. 5. Banana, mango, sapota, green grapes, jack fruit, custard apple. 6. Roots and tuber vegetables (like potato, sweet potato, radish, yam, tapioca) 7. Red meat, organ meat, sea fish and egg yolk. 8. Nuts (walnut, cashew, almonds, peanut) and dry fruits (like figs, prunes, dates). 9. More salty and sugary biscuits.
FOODS WHICH CAN BE TAKEN IN MODERATE AMOUNT: 1. Cooking oil - Not more than 3 to 4 teaspoons in a day (soybean/ sunflower/ safflower/groundnut oil). Take foods more in boiled or steamed form. 2. Salt - Limit salt intake to ½ teaspoon or 3gm a day. Season foods with lemon juice, tomatoes or black pepper. 3. Egg white can be taken every day, non oily fish and skinless chicken (75gms) can be taken thrice in a week. FOODS ALLOWED: 1. Green leafy vegetables in any amounts you wish. The more, the better! 2. Excluding the above mentioned fruits, consume any whole fruit with edible skin. 3. Legume and pulses (dhal, rajmah, beans etc) 4. Skimmed milk and milk products GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1. Always be hydrated, take at least 10 glasses of water every day. 2. Avoid fasting and feasting. 3. Don't take late dinners, as it can aggravate fasting blood sugar level. 4. Instead of taking three large meals, distribute your meals into 5 to 6 smaller portions. 5. Brisk walking or jogging at least for 20 to 25 mins is very important. 6. Avoid smoking and drinking. 7. If you feel hypoglycemic that means if your sugar level suddenly goes down (which manifests as excessive thirst, weakness, sweating, headache), immediately take some sugar, chocolate, sweet or sugary fruits.
Read More Health Articles & Tips at eVaidya.com