Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is associated with impaired metabolism, the basis of which is insufficient absorption of glucose by the body. Type 2 diabetes often occurs as a result of obesity. Proper nutrition plays an important role in any type of diabetes . In mild forms of type 2 disease, the main one is the treatment options. In moderate to severe forms, the diet should be combined with sugar-lowering drugs or insulin.

What is a "Bread Unit"?

How to correctly determine the daily norm of products containing carbohydrates? They all differ significantly from each other in their physical properties, composition, caloric content. It is impossible to determine these parameters at home. It is no less difficult to calculate the daily dose of products needed by the body, if we do not have special knowledge. In order to facilitate the task of nutritionists, the conditional term "bread unit" is introduced.

The bread unit is a kind of "measuring spoon" for calculating carbohydrates. Regardless of the type and quantity of the product, be it bread or apple, one unit of bread contains 12 - 15 grams of digestible carbohydrates. It raises blood sugar levels by 2.8 mmol / l and requires 2 units of insulin from the body.

The bread unit was introduced precisely because of diabetics who need insulin. It is very important for them to follow the daily dose of carbohydrates that corresponds to the insulin they take. Otherwise, the sugar level may rise or fall (hyper- or hypoglycaemia).

Thanks to the introduction of the concept of "bread unit", diabetics are given the opportunity to create a proper menu in which they can replace some products containing carbohydrates with others.

For example, 1 loaf of bread corresponds to 25-30 grams of white or black bread; or 1/2 cup oatmeal or buckwheat porridge; or 1 medium-sized apple, etc.

For example, the human body must receive, for example, 18-25 units of bread. They should be appropriately divided into 6 meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner - 3-5 bread units; afternoon breakfast - 1-2. Most products that contain carbohydrates should be consumed in the first half of the day.

Principles of therapeutic nutrition in patients with diabetes:

The diet must be physiologically sound:

•  The amount of energy in the food should be equal to the energy needs of the patient

•  The amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates should be balanced

•  Number of meals per day - 5-6

In overweight diabetics, to increase the feeling of satiety, the diet should include vegetables such as fresh and sauerkraut, lettuce, spinach, green peas, cucumbers, tomatoes. To improve the function of the liver, which suffers greatly from diabetes, the diet should include products containing lipotropic substances (cottage cheese, soy, oatmeal, etc.), as well as limit meat, fish broths and fatty foods.

There are several diets for diabetics, but, in practice, one is used at home ( diet 9 ). It is well tolerated by all patients, including or excluding individual dishes and products.

The following are allowed to be present in the diet:

• bread and bakery products - mostly black bread (200-350 grams per day, on prescription);
• soup of vegetable, meat and fish broths (not strong) with a small amount of vegetables (1-2 times a week);
• meat and poultry dishes (beef, veal, lean pork, turkey, rabbit cooked or jelly);
• fish dishes, mainly lean (white fish, kelp, cod, wild carp - boiled or jelly);
• vegetable dishes and garnishes (leafy vegetables, cabbage - white and colored, lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, beets, carrots) - cooked, baked or raw;
• foods and garnishes of cereals and legumes, pasta (in limited quantities, sometimes limiting the amount of bread on the menu);
• egg dishes (not more than 2 per day in the form of an omelet or soft-boiled) or as an addition to other dishes;
• sour and sweet and sour fruits (including berries): apples, lemons, oranges, red currants, cranberries, etc. up to 200 grams per day raw or in the form of compote with sweetener. With a doctor's permission you can consume sweet foods and special products for diabetics;
• milk - after permission from a doctor, kefir (1-2 cups a day), cottage cheese (50-200 grams per day) - natural or in the form of pudding, cheesecake and others;
• light sauces based on vegetable broth with vinegar, tomato paste, dairy, etc .;
• tea with milk, weak coffee, tomato juice, fruit juices (and forest) - the total amount of fluids for the day should not exceed 5 cups;
• butter, oil (40 grams per day in free form or in food);

The diet of diabetics should be rich in vitamins, so their menu is useful to include yeast - beer and bread, rosehip decoction;

Contraindicated dishes and products for the diet of diabetics:

• candy, chocolate, confectionery, muffins, jam, honey, ice cream and other sweet temptations;
• spicy, salty and smoked appetizers and foods, sheep and pork fat;
• pepper, mustard;
• alcoholic beverages;
• grapes, bananas, raisins;
• sugar is allowed in very small quantities after permission from a doctor.