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When my son was first diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, I was mortified. Admittedly, it took me a couple months to get over my initial shock and being to take action. The doctor was helpful in explaining the disease and the necessary means of coping with it, but I also invested in some books on diabetes to garner some additional information.
There books contained information on lifestyle changes and dietary advice for people with diabetes, and I began implementing them into my son’s life. Over the past three years, the impact of the disease has been minimal, and I am sure that all of the precautions we have taken have something to do with it. Not only has his reformed diet and exercise routine caused him to lose weight, but his father and I have benefitted from the changes too.
Due to the rampant obesity in the United States, diabetes is one of the fastest growing health concerns. While most people recognize the fact the diabetes is a debilitating disease, many people still find themselves asking “what is diabetes?” There are two types of diabetes, and they both affect that way that your body uses and processes blood glucose, also known as blood sugar.
Although researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of type 1 diabetes, family history and viral illnesses are suspected to be the main culprits. The more common—and preventable—type of diabetes is type 2. This is caused by a combination of obesity, inactivity, age and several other factors.
Although there is no one ideal diet that experts agree is best for diabetics to follow, it’s possible to provide some rough guidelines that should stand you in good stead. Generally speaking, men require more calories than women because they have greater muscle mass. Carbohydrates should make about half of the daily calories consumed for a diabetic. Counting carbohydrates is an important approach to diet because these are the parts of food that can be broken down into sugar. Carbohydrates cause blood sugar to rise, so it’s essential to keep tabs.
Fruits, starches and milk are the three most common sources of carbs. It’s a common misconception that people with type 1 diabetes must avoid sugar at all costs. Actually, the key is to keep intake consistent and low. That way, regular infusions of insulin can be effective at managing blood sugar. Moderation is the key, so find the happy medium, find all the information on diabetes you can and stay healthy.