Nutrition for diabetics

The patient supplements enough nutrition, eating healthy foods so that it doesn't increase blood sugar much after eating ...

In the Clinical Nutrition book of the National Institute of Nutrition, experts say that there is no dietary formula for all patients because it depends on factors: malnutrition, overweight, and obesity. , levels of physical activity, comorbidities, economic conditions ...

For people with diabetes, the regime should ensure the following principles: provide sufficient nutrients according to age, physiological status, disease status, do not increase blood sugar much after eating, avoid risk factors. such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, kidney failure, maintaining a healthy weight.

Below are diabetic energy needs based on substance groups:

Glucid

In patients with diabetes, blood sugar tends to increase much after eating, so must limit glucide. The acceptable glucide ratio is 55-65% of the total energy. Patients should use complex glucids such as rice, tubers (except roasted sweet potatoes), limiting simple sugars. In addition, patients should eat more fiber.

Fiber in the stomach prolongs the storage of food, prolongs the absorption of glucose in the digestive tract, reduces the rapid increase in blood glucose after eating, has the effect of secreting insulin in the blood. The water-soluble fiber has the effect of reducing the absorption of cholesterol, the insoluble fiber has the ability to retain water, prevent constipation, improve excretion.

Fiber is abundant in the silk husks of rice grains, vegetables, ripe fruits, the recommended amount of fiber for people with diabetes, 10g / 1000 Kcal.

Protein needs

For people with diabetes who have normal kidney function, the energy provided by protein should be 15-20% of the total energy. If patients with kidney disease need to control the amount of dietary protein (all diet for patients with kidney disease).

In people with diabetes, protein may increase insulin response but not plasma glucose. Therefore, protein should not be used to treat acute or nighttime hypoglycemia. High protein meals are not recommended as a method of weight loss for patients.

Lipid

Fat for diabetics should be between 20 and less than 30% of total energy. Patients restricted saturated fat to less than 7% of the energy intake. Trans fats are kept to a minimum, eat 2-3 fish meals a week. Fat control diets help patients maintain long-term contribute to weight loss, improve blood lipid disorders.

Salt

People with diabetes without other medical conditions do not need to abstain from salt but eat bland foods as much as possible. People with diabetes with edema, heart failure, or hypertension should eat below 2000mg of sodium per day.

Vitamins and minerals

Demand for vitamins and micronutrients according to the recommended nutritional needs, based on age, gender, physiological condition ... , iodine ...) vitamins. Vitamins and minerals are often found in fresh vegetables and roots.

To facilitate health care, patients can refer to nutritional products. Nutricare brand Glucare gold is clinically proven by Australian experts at the University of Sydney. Products with a low glycemic index (GI) help control blood sugar, reduce the risk of high blood sugar after drinking, lowering blood sugar far from meals.

Glucare gold is rich in FOS soluble fiber, which helps regenerate beneficial bacteria, reduce constipation, does not contain lactose, and helps reduce diarrhea in people who do not have milk habit, people who are lactose intolerant. The product helps to supplement vitamins and minerals to help reduce fatigue due to micronutrient deficiency in the daily diet.

Physical activity

In addition to eating science, patients need to focus on physical activity. Patients need to check cardiovascular, eye, neurological complications, leg deformities before training, not overtraining when blood glucose> 250 - 270mg / Dl and ketones (a serious complication of diabetes, occurs when the patient's body produces too much acid in the blood) positive.

The most common and easiest practice to do is to walk for a total of 150 minutes per week (or about 30 minutes a day). Each week, the patient should practice resistance 2-3 times (pulling rope, lifting weights).

Elderly people with joint pain can divide several times a day, for example walking after 3 meals, each time 10 to 15 minutes. Young people should train about 60 minutes a day, practicing resistance at least 3 times per week.