Diabetes Diet: Types & Diet Plans

Diabetes is a group of diseases appearing when the human body has an excess of glucose or sugar in the blood. It is also referred to as diabetes mellitus. All the sugars and carbohydrates in the human body are converted into a sugar known as glucose. The cells in our body make use of insulin in order to produce energy. When the insulin in the blood is insufficiency, cells can not make use of glucose which eventually leads to an accumulation of glucose that causes diabetes. Diabetes mainly occurs as a result of either the human body not producing insulin or producing it in an insufficient amount. It can also occur due to a combination of both or the cells not responding properly to insulin. 

Key Terms: Diabetes, Glucose, Insulin, Sugar, Carbohydrates, Diabetes Diet, Cells, Carbonated Drinks

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What is Diabetes?

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The primary source of energy we receive from food is known as glucose. This glucose is converted into energy by the insulin that is produced in the pancreas. 

• When the pancreas is not able to produce sufficient insulin, the levels of glucose in the blood start to increase.
• This eventually results in a condition that is commonly known as diabetes.
• Therefore, diabetes is recognized as high glucose levels in the blood.
• In the absence of insulin or its less quantity, glucose can’t be used by cells.
• Hence, it gets accumulated in the blood which leads to diabetes.

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Types of Diabetes

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There are mainly three types of diabetes that can be understood as follows - 

1. Type 1 Diabetes - Also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, in type 1 diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce a sufficient amount of insulin. 

• It mostly occurs in adolescents and children, though it can affect individuals regardless of their age. 
• In Type 1 diabetes, the body produces less amount of insulin.
• Hence, insulin injections are prescribed to individuals with this diabetes in order to keep their glucose levels in check.

2. Type 2 Diabetes - It is also referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

• This type of diabetes affects almost 90% of the total diabetic individuals. 
• It frequently occurs in people of middle or old age.
• The cells in the body stop responding to the available insulin in this condition. 
• This type of diabetes is caused by excessive body weight or an unhealthy lifestyle.
• Therefore, individuals suffering from this condition are suggested to lose weight, follow a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.

3. Gestational Diabetes - The type of diabetes that affect pregnant women during their gestation period is known as gestational diabetes.

• Even women having no earlier history of diabetes may suffer from this condition.
• It usually goes away after they deliver.

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Diabetes Diet

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A healthy diet and lifestyle can help one control the sugar levels in the body. Diabetic patients must not eat a lot of sugary foods and should have a proper diabetes diet chart to follow for their meals.

Foods to be Avoided:-

The foods that should be avoided in a diabetes diet are - 

• High-sugar food such as cake, sweets, cream, etc. should be consumed as less as possible.
• Fats should also be avoided as though they do not impact the blood sugar level directly, they slow down the absorption of carbohydrates.
• As some fishes, meat, and chicken are a source of high fat and protein, their consumption should also be limited to a certain amount.
• Foods having a high glycemic index should also be avoided as they increase the blood sugar level.
• Processed foods, oily and fried food, and food with trans fats such as canned foods and chips should also be consumed less.
• Carbonated drinks such as Pepsi, Coca Cola.
• As carbohydrates impact the blood sugar levels directly, foods with carbohydrates such as potatoes and rice should be consumed in a minimal amount.

Read More: Difference between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus

Foods to Eat for Diabetic Individuals:-

A patient with diabetes must not consume a lot of fats, carbohydrates, and high proteins. However, we can not survive without these macromolecules as they are the main source of energy in our bodies. Therefore, by avoiding an unhealthy diet with cholesterol, bad fat, and proteins from animal sources, a diabetic individual should have a healthy diabetes diet having good carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The food a diabetic individual should include in their diet includes - 

• Fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed more in the place of fruit juices and vegetable extracts.
• Good carbohydrates along with fibers found in foods such as brown rice, sweet potato, leafy vegetable, peas, and spinach should be added to our everyday diet.
• Natural fats such as olive oil, fish, nuts, avocados, tuna, flax seeds, and chia seeds are also good for a diabetes diet.

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Diabetes Diet Plans

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The basic diet plans have the following components - 

• Less amount of masala items and fries.
• Sugars should be avoided to a maximum extent.
• Avoid carbonated beverages such as Pepsi and soda.
• Prefer fresh fruits and vegetables instead of fruit juices.
• Food rich in carbohydrates should be avoided.
• However, foods with carbohydrates combined with fiber such as leafy green vegetables, sweet potatoes, peas, and brown rice can be consumed.
• Selection of fats is essential as some fats can be damaging in nature. 
• Natural fats are good for diabetes however, artificial fats can be harmful.
• A rich source of natural fats is avocados, tuna, nuts, olive oil, fish, and flaxseeds.

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Things to Remember

• Diabetes is a condition in which glucose is present in excess levels in the body.
• The condition of diabetes can be classified into 3 types - Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.
• The sugar levels in the body can be controlled by a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.
• The cause of diabetes is either the human body not producing insulin or producing it in an insufficient amount.
• The poor response of cells to insulin can also cause diabetes.

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