Diet for diabetics: what to eat and what to avoid

Currently, diabetes affects millions of people. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 531 million people worldwide suffer from this disease, and it is expected that by 2030, the number will increase to 643 million; by 2050, the outlook is bleak as the number is expected to rise to 1.3 billion.

Therefore, considering that this condition requires a careful focus on diet to keep blood glucose levels stable and prevent long-term complications, we will explore how a diabetic diet is fundamental.

What is diabetes and how does it affect the body?

First of all, we need to define what diabetes is. Professor Ana Lilia Rodríguez Ventura, a pediatric endocrinologist, teacher, and Doctor of Medical Sciences at UNAM with two postgraduate degrees in diabetes, notes that "it is a chronic disease in which glucose concentrations are elevated above normal."

Likewise, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as "a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which over time leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves."

As a result, if one suffers from this disease, there is a reduction in insulin production or a resistance to its action. Insulin removes sugar from the blood and transports it into cells to use it as an energy source, which does not happen when one has diabetes.

The most common type is type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin for optimal functioning or when the body becomes resistant to it. In Mexico alone, it is the second leading cause of death, and according to UNAM, 13% of Mexicans suffer from it, but only 9% know it; when the remaining 87% find out, it is already too late.

Diet for Diabetics: Essential in Managing the Condition

When a person has diabetes, their body does not properly absorb glucose, so it circulates through their system without any restriction, which can have serious health consequences and, ultimately, on their life.

For this reason, an appropriate diet is essential for controlling the disease, preventing issues such as blindness, slow healing, and even heart problems. It is important to adapt the diet to find a way to be happy and eat better.

Therefore, it is necessary to think that diet helps to have more and better years of life, aiming for a diabetic diet to obtain the necessary nutrients and maintain blood sugar levels balanced.

It is essential that a diabetic diet contains various foods from all groups in specific quantities, which can be determined by a primary care physician. The foods are as follows:

• There are two types of vegetables that can be consumed: non-starchy, such as broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, peppers, and tomatoes, and starchy ones, like potatoes and corn.
  
  
• Fruits like oranges, melons, strawberries, bananas, and grapes are allowed for a balanced diabetic diet.
  
  
• Grains should be whole grains such as rice, oats, barley, and quinoa.
  
  
• Proteins: A person with diabetes can consume lean meat, with little fat, such as chicken, turkey (without the skin), fish, and eggs. Alternatively, proteins can be obtained from beans, nuts, peanuts, and other legumes like chickpeas or peas, as well as meat substitutes like tofu.
  
  
• Dairy: They should be skim or low-fat such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Are there any prohibited foods?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH), there are some foods that should be limited, such as fried foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fats.

Similarly, consumption of high-sodium foods, sweets, ice creams, and beverages with added sugars like sodas, juices, or energy drinks should be reduced.

In this regard, drinking water instead of carbonated and/or sugary drinks should be considered, and if alcohol is consumed, it should also be done in moderation.

Is there any supplement that can help with diabetes?

In addition to the diabetic diet, as mentioned in the article "Difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes: why it is not the same for everyone," there are various alternatives with several active ingredients that have been researched and found to help control diabetes, including dietary supplements.

As a result of this research, Nanopharmacia Group has developed some dietary supplements to, along with a healthy and balanced diet, offer a healthy lifestyle to people living with this disease.

The most important supplement to complement the diabetic diet is Guanide, which contains rue goat, a plant that provides properties to help regulate glucose, acts as an appetite regulator causing satiety, and optimizes the stored energy of your body. If you want to buy it, you can click here.

Among the supplements is Enikia, which contains resveratrol, glycine, cysteine, and arginine, allowing cell regeneration and glucose level regulation. It also protects cells thanks to its antioxidant property and promotes metabolic health and nutrient absorption. If you want to buy it, you can click here.

Another contributing supplement is Caldone, which helps maximize turmeric absorption through a patented method for obtaining nanoparticles of this active ingredient. Thanks to this, it is possible to utilize up to 98%. If you want to buy it, you can click here.

In Conclusion

In the constant pursuit of a healthy balance for those living with diabetes, meticulous attention to diet emerges as an indispensable tool.

By exploring the diabetic diet, what to eat, and what to avoid, a path is charted towards effectively controlling blood glucose levels and promoting general well-being. Above all, nutritional awareness becomes a powerful ally, allowing those facing the disease to make informed and proactive decisions about their diet.

If you have any questions about what foods can or cannot be consumed in a diabetic diet, do not hesitate to write to us on our social networks: Facebook and Instagram. Or, if you are looking for a dietary supplement to aid your diabetes treatment, do not hesitate to visit our website where you can find the ideal one for you.

References

Centers for Disease Control. (n.d.) Meal Planning for People with Diabetes. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/spanish/living/eat-well/diabetes-meal-planning.html

Faculty of Medicine. (n.d.) Diabetes Mellitus. Retrieved from: http://www.facmed.unam.mx/eventos/seam2k1/2008/may_01_ponencia.html

UNAM Gazette. (2021, August 15) In Mexico, only 9% of those with diabetes know it. Retrieved from: https://www.gaceta.unam.mx/en-mexico-solo-9-de-quien-tiene-diabetes-lo-sabe/

UNAM Gazette. (2023, August 24). Diabetes, the other great pandemic of the 21st century. Retrieved from: https://www.gaceta.unam.mx/diabetes-la-otra-gran-pandemia-del-siglo-xxi/#:~

=En%20nuestro%20pa%C3%ADs%2C%20seg%C3%BAn%20la,del%2022%20%25%20a%20nivel%20nacional

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.) Nutrition, Eating, and Physical Activity if You Have Diabetes. Retrieved from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/informacion-de-la-salud/diabetes/informacion-general/nutricion-alimentacion-actividad-fisica#limitar

Pan American Health Organization. (n.d.) Diabetes. Retrieved from: https://www.paho.org/es/temas/diabetes#:~

=La%20diabetes%20es%20una%20enfermedad,los%20ri%C3%B1ones%20y%20los%20nervios