Diabetes and diet plan.
A proper diet plan is essential for an efficient blood glucose control and management of diabetes. This diet plan must aim to the
establishment of a normal body mass index,
and maintenance of blood cholesterol at
healthy levels. In other words, keeping glucose, cholesterol and body weight under
control are the main shields that will protect you from diabetes complications. Of course we should never forget
the great importance of pharmaceutical therapy and
exercise.
Contrary to the common notion, being diagnosed with diabetes doesn’t mean the end
of a pleasurable life. You will not have to be deprived from your favorite dishes, snacks
and beverages. Neither will you have to struggle with boring, tasteless meals being
considered just sources of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. You will
still be allowed to eat or drink what you used to do. The important difference is that
you will have to be very conscious of what you do. For instance, you should not eat as
much as you can or get drunk. A very strong principle applies to all of us; the quality
and quantity of our diet causes immediate or long term effects in our health. The
difference with diabetics is that these effects are far more dramatic, since their body
presents lower resistance and slower or weaker recovery. Although dietary habits and
preferences are personal matters, we will try to give some simple advice and directions
hoping that they will help you to draw the proper limits. The latest are necessary for
prevention of diabetes complications and maintenance of good life quality.
Count your daily caloric intake.
Always try to monitor the daily amount of calories you take. This amount varies,
depending on your bodily structure, age, gender and the routine of your physical activity.
 For instance, 1,600 calories
should be the highest intake for relatively small active or medium sized not very active
women. This caloric amount or slightly less
will help both categories to maintain or lose weight.
The top limit of 2,000
calories applies to large women who need to lose weight, small men with normal weight,
not very active medium sized men and overweight large men.
Maximum daily intake of 2,400
calories is suitable for highly or moderately active medium and large men respectively.
The same limits are appropriate for very active large women.
Very active large man can take
up to 3,000 calories daily.
Of course these are just general directions, since they do not deal with a person’s
age, and any other individual parameters. If there is a need, a qualified dietician or
diabetes specialist must be consulted.
Measure the food or beverages you eat or drink.
You shouldn’t eat huge amounts of food. You can have your coffee, tea, milk,
soft and alcohol drinks but everything must be drunk in moderation. Your diet has to be
balanced and your meals must be of similar
caloric and nutritional value. In order to achieve this, you must measure your food.
Don’t panic, though. You will not have to do this all the time. Perhaps this will
be necessary in the first one or two weeks and you may need to use special cups or spoons
and kitchen scales to measure your foods and drinks.
After that, you will get familiar with the quantities and the kinds of food you really
need. Labels on the packages with a product’s nutrition facts will be very helpful
for you to estimate the intake of the contained nutrients and calories.
Overtime, you will get confident about the needed size of the bowl you to use for
cereals, the plate for rice, mashed potatoes or pasta, the cup for tea, coffee or milk
and the glass for a bit of wine or beer. You will also get familiar with the proper
portions of meat, fish, bread and fruits. Of course, a qualified dietician or your
healthcare provider will set the meals you need.
Always keep things under control.
Try to eat the recommended
amounts of foods in four, five  or more equal meals during the day.
This is very important, because it will help you to avoid any dangerous blood glucose
fluctuations.
Do not miss meals, because
this may affect your blood glucose and lead to hypoglycemic episodes.
Don’t drink much. Unless
your dietician recommends otherwise, you can have two glasses of dry wine or a glass
(280ml) of beer per day but no more than that. The only liquid you can drink as much as
you want is water.
If you don’t feel well
and you cannot eat properly or drink enough amounts of liquids, contact your dietician or
doctor and ask for advice, in order to prevent hypoglycemia. Keep in mind that reduced
liquid intake, combined with diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and make your blood
pressure to drop dangerously.
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