IanD
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,429
- Location
- Peterchurch, Hereford
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Carbohydrates
This is a suggested leaflet based in the infamous D UK leaflet: “Eating well with T2 Diabetes.”
Sensible Eating with T2 Diabetes.
Adapted from the D UK leaflet: “Eating well with T2 Diabetes.”
Direct quotations are in blue.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes is a common, life-long condition where the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high as it cannot be used properly. Glucose comes from the digestion of foods containing carbohydrate and from the liver which makes glucose.
Insulin is vital for life. It is a hormone produced by the pancreas, that helps the glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by the body. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
Poorly controlled diabetes can result in many health problems, including heart disease, blindness, amputations, & kidney failure & other debilitating conditions.
Blood glucose is checked medically by the HbA1c test, which for well controlled diabetes will be 5-6.5% (32-48 mmol/mol.) Non-diabetics will be 4.5 - 6.0 (26 - 42 mmol,) & a realistic level to minimise complications will be below 7.5 (55 mmol)
The HbA1c test should be carried out at least every 12 months, & preferably more frequently. It is the primary test used by health professionals to monitor the progress of the disease.
In addition, self testing using a finger-prick device is recommended. This enables the patient to monitor the condition & learn which foods result in high blood glucose. Readings below 5.0 indicate that suitable food should be eaten at once, as blood glucose below 4.0 is a “hypo” condition which is potentially dangerous.
Good blood glucose control is important in the management of diabetes. Because of the link between eating carbohydrate and blood glucose levels, we have answered some common questions about carbohydrate on the following pages.
What should I avoid eating to control diabetes?
Many common foods are rich in carbohydrate, and should be restricted. (Not necessarily eliminated from your diet.) You do not need carbohydrates for good health, nor for energy or brain function. Your body will normally generate the glucose needed from other foods & glycogen reserves.
Starchy carbohydrates include foods like bread, pasta, chapatis, potatoes, yam, noodles, rice and cereals.
Sugars include table sugar (eg, caster, white, brown), and can also be found in fruit (fructose), and some dairy foods (lactose). They can often be identified on food labels as those ingredients ending with – ose.
Processed foods often contain hidden carbohydrates & sugars. Breakfast cereals are mainly carbohydrate, including sugars, & despite manufacturers claims are not sustaining, & result in hunger & snacking before the next meal.
What can I eat to control diabetes?
A diet rich in protein foods including associated fats, together with vegetables, can be eaten freely. Added fats are best avoided. Added salt may also cause problems. Cooking & table sauces may be used – but look at the labels for carbohydrates & sugars.
Protein foods include meat, cheese, fish, eggs, nuts, pulse (beans). Have an extra portion of vegetables, rather than carbohydrate. Nuts & vegetables will normally contain enough soluble fibre to avoid constipation, but you may wish to add bran to your diet.
Rather than puddings (sweet course) you should choose unsweetened yogourt, cheese or fruit, or simply tea or coffee.
There will normally be a rise in blood glucose immediately after a meal, & it is recommended you test after 2 hours. Such readings should be below 7.5.
What can I eat instead of breakfast cereal?
Bacon, egg, saugages, ham, cheese, etc can be eaten. You can include a small piece of toast, or crispbread.
A useful alternative to porridge is based on ground almonds & other nuts & seeds. Because it is rich in proteins & fats, it is more sustaining than commercial cereals.
What about snacks & packed lunches?
Nuts, cheese & fruit, rather than sandwiches, should be provided.
Flour made from nuts can be used for baking, instead of wheat flour. A cake can be made using ground almonds, soya flour, coconut flour, crushed seeds, etc, blended in the usual way with baking powder, spices, eggs, oil/margarine. This can be used as bread for sandwiches, or sweetened with non-sugar sweeteners for make cake.
What can I drink?
Avoid soft drinks sweetened with sugar. All normal drinks may be consumed freely, within the recommended limits for alcohol.
Don’t use diabetic foods or drinks.
They offer no benefit to people with diabetes. They will still affect your blood glucose levels, contain just as much fat and calories as the ordinary versions, can have a laxative effect and are expensive.
Where can I get further advice & recipes?
A forum run by & for diabetics can be consulted on http://www.diabetes.co.uk
You will normally get an answer from experienced patients, some of whom have faced similar problems. Such advice should be received with caution, as it may not apply to you & your condition.
The "diet plate" gives a schematic view of what you can eat.
Draft – Ian Day
May 23, 2012
With the aid of contributors to the http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/
Sensible Eating with T2 Diabetes.
Adapted from the D UK leaflet: “Eating well with T2 Diabetes.”
Direct quotations are in blue.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes is a common, life-long condition where the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high as it cannot be used properly. Glucose comes from the digestion of foods containing carbohydrate and from the liver which makes glucose.
Insulin is vital for life. It is a hormone produced by the pancreas, that helps the glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by the body. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
Poorly controlled diabetes can result in many health problems, including heart disease, blindness, amputations, & kidney failure & other debilitating conditions.
Blood glucose is checked medically by the HbA1c test, which for well controlled diabetes will be 5-6.5% (32-48 mmol/mol.) Non-diabetics will be 4.5 - 6.0 (26 - 42 mmol,) & a realistic level to minimise complications will be below 7.5 (55 mmol)
The HbA1c test should be carried out at least every 12 months, & preferably more frequently. It is the primary test used by health professionals to monitor the progress of the disease.
In addition, self testing using a finger-prick device is recommended. This enables the patient to monitor the condition & learn which foods result in high blood glucose. Readings below 5.0 indicate that suitable food should be eaten at once, as blood glucose below 4.0 is a “hypo” condition which is potentially dangerous.
Good blood glucose control is important in the management of diabetes. Because of the link between eating carbohydrate and blood glucose levels, we have answered some common questions about carbohydrate on the following pages.
What should I avoid eating to control diabetes?
Many common foods are rich in carbohydrate, and should be restricted. (Not necessarily eliminated from your diet.) You do not need carbohydrates for good health, nor for energy or brain function. Your body will normally generate the glucose needed from other foods & glycogen reserves.
Starchy carbohydrates include foods like bread, pasta, chapatis, potatoes, yam, noodles, rice and cereals.
Sugars include table sugar (eg, caster, white, brown), and can also be found in fruit (fructose), and some dairy foods (lactose). They can often be identified on food labels as those ingredients ending with – ose.
Processed foods often contain hidden carbohydrates & sugars. Breakfast cereals are mainly carbohydrate, including sugars, & despite manufacturers claims are not sustaining, & result in hunger & snacking before the next meal.
What can I eat to control diabetes?
A diet rich in protein foods including associated fats, together with vegetables, can be eaten freely. Added fats are best avoided. Added salt may also cause problems. Cooking & table sauces may be used – but look at the labels for carbohydrates & sugars.
Protein foods include meat, cheese, fish, eggs, nuts, pulse (beans). Have an extra portion of vegetables, rather than carbohydrate. Nuts & vegetables will normally contain enough soluble fibre to avoid constipation, but you may wish to add bran to your diet.
Rather than puddings (sweet course) you should choose unsweetened yogourt, cheese or fruit, or simply tea or coffee.
There will normally be a rise in blood glucose immediately after a meal, & it is recommended you test after 2 hours. Such readings should be below 7.5.
What can I eat instead of breakfast cereal?
Bacon, egg, saugages, ham, cheese, etc can be eaten. You can include a small piece of toast, or crispbread.
A useful alternative to porridge is based on ground almonds & other nuts & seeds. Because it is rich in proteins & fats, it is more sustaining than commercial cereals.
What about snacks & packed lunches?
Nuts, cheese & fruit, rather than sandwiches, should be provided.
Flour made from nuts can be used for baking, instead of wheat flour. A cake can be made using ground almonds, soya flour, coconut flour, crushed seeds, etc, blended in the usual way with baking powder, spices, eggs, oil/margarine. This can be used as bread for sandwiches, or sweetened with non-sugar sweeteners for make cake.
What can I drink?
Avoid soft drinks sweetened with sugar. All normal drinks may be consumed freely, within the recommended limits for alcohol.
Don’t use diabetic foods or drinks.
They offer no benefit to people with diabetes. They will still affect your blood glucose levels, contain just as much fat and calories as the ordinary versions, can have a laxative effect and are expensive.
Where can I get further advice & recipes?
A forum run by & for diabetics can be consulted on http://www.diabetes.co.uk
You will normally get an answer from experienced patients, some of whom have faced similar problems. Such advice should be received with caution, as it may not apply to you & your condition.
The "diet plate" gives a schematic view of what you can eat.
Draft – Ian Day
May 23, 2012
With the aid of contributors to the http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/
