Diet in diabetes: what are suitable, unsuitable and forbidden foods?

Diet in diabetes is an essential factor in the management of the disease. In the article you will learn what to watch out for, what are the best, inappropriate and forbidden foods.

Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is a disease in which adherence to diet becomes the main success of treatment. Without a proper diet, it is a nightmare for the patient and his doctor.

What to do about it?

The right foods in the shopping cart and the um of what the diabetic should forgive himself and what should be followed. Success is in your hands and we give you a tip on how to achieve it.

Diabetes and food

A person with diabetes must modify his eating habits, otherwise he runs the risk of aggravating the disease. The article on diabetes will give you general information about the disease. In the following lines you will receive specific information about forbidden foods and diet in the disease diabetes mellitus.

Glycemia is a blood sugar value and its value is a guideline.

Normal glycaemia values range from 3.9 to 5.5 mmol/l (values may vary slightly depending on the publication). The correct glycaemia value is maintained either by diet or medication.

For type I diabetes, insulin is given by injection. For type II, it is pills.

Diabetics, despite adherence to treatment, have to reckon with a deviation of glycemic values. This brings a number of difficulties that threaten the health of the patient. Every diabetic should know the two concepts that determine the current blood sugar content.

The latter can be measured with a glucometer by oneself or by a doctor.

Deviations from the normal value of glycaemia

As you have already noticed, the blood sugar level is measured by a device, the glucometer. This can show us values within the normal range.

We know two cases:

1. When the blood sugar is lower, we speak of hypoglycemia.

2. The opposite case is hyperglycaemia, in which the blood sugar level is higher.

Hypoglycemia

If the blood glucose meter or laboratory test result shows a value of less than 3.3 mmol/l, the blood sugar level is low. Sugar is the only energy for brain cells. Around 100 g of it is consumed daily. When there is little of it, brain function is impaired. The same as when there is a lack of oxygen.

Do you know how to recognize hypoglycemia?

One of the signs is that the onset is acute, i.e. rapid. A person's behaviour may appear as if in a state of drunkenness. Here are the symptoms that will help to diagnose hypoglycaemia.

Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Fatigue
• weakness
• headache
• cold sweat
• paleness
• feeling of nausea, vomiting
• feeling of hunger
• visual disturbances
• speech disorder
• trembling of limbs, body
• coordination disorders
• muscle spasms, body convulsions (as in an epileptic seizure)
• rapid pulse, palpitations
• disorientation
• confusion
• irritability, nervousness, restlessness, aggressiveness
• feeling of anxiety
• mood changes (depression, euphoria)
• disturbance of concentration
• hallucinations, delusions
• disturbance of consciousness, fainting, collapse
• unconsciousness

Hyperglycaemia

Hyperglycemia, on the other hand, is a condition where blood sugar levels exceed 5.5 mmol/l. Just because we have more sugar in our blood than we need doesn't mean it's right. Hyperglycemia is responsible for many problems that affect various body systems. Eyesight, nervous system, blood vessels, heart, kidneys, poor wound healing. These are just examples of what it negatively affects and what it causes.

Hyperglycemia can occur without symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, their onset is slower than in hypoglycemia. Symptoms of elevated blood sugar include:

• Thirst
• dry mouth, dry mucous membranes
• excessive urination
• hunger
• visual disturbances
• weakness
• malaise
• feeling sick, vomiting
• abdominal pain, problem with digestion
• red colouration of the face
• acetone smell from the mouth
• dehydration
• drowsiness
• rapid pulse
• rapid and deepened breathing
• decreased blood pressure
• impaired consciousness to coma (may occur with glycaemic values greater than 20 mmol/l if high values persist)

First aid for problems

If you remember these few symptoms, you can diagnose in the home environment without a machine. But more importantly, you need to be able to intervene appropriately and in time.

It's good to know that low sugar levels can also occur in a person who does not have diabetes. For example, in the case of starvation, reduced dietary intake, increased physical and mental exertion.

What helps with hypoglycaemia?

If the person is talking to you, you do not see any disturbances of consciousness in him, he cooperates and is able to follow your instructions, give him a sugar cube, sweet water (sweetened tea, juice), honey. Grape sugar is the fastest form of energy for the brain.

If the administration of sugar through the mouth is not possible (uncooperative, aggressive, unconscious), help should be called immediately. If the person is unconscious, breathing is sufficient, place him in a stable position and dial the emergency number.

The diabetic may be carrying an injection of glucagon, in which case it should be administered. The application is simple, although we understand that it is not for everyone. It is administered subcutaneously or into the muscle. The onset of action can be expected within 10 minutes.

Hyperglycaemia is more complicated

When the blood sugar level is excessive, so that the next dose does not help. If you have a glucose meter at hand and the value measured by it is higher than 10, you need to contact a doctor. When you experience difficulties and high glycaemic values, you need to seek professional help immediately.

You may have heard of lemon water. It does no harm, but it does not help with high glycaemic values. The advantage of hyperglycaemia is its slow onset, which can take days or weeks.

If you are not sure whether your sugar level is low or high, treat it as if it were low.
Don't worry!
In hypoglycaemia, you will help.
In hyperglycaemia, you will not hurt.
The rest will be taken care of by professional help.

Do you know what a glucose meter can show?

The prize is having a glucose meter handy. You prick your finger, apply a drop of blood to the strip when the machine beeps, and you're done in seconds.

But what happened?

Did the display show you something you don't understand?

Don't despair.

Here's the answer.

In addition to the numerical value, you may see, for example:

• in hypoglycaemia L, LO, LOW, LOW BLOOD SUGAR
  LOW SUGAR, in this case the glycaemia may be less than 1.2
• in case of hyperglycaemia H, HI, HIGH BLOOD SUGAR
  HIGH SUGAR, with values higher than 30
• third possibility is that it may show E, ER, ERROR instead of digits
  this is a measurement error - repeat the measurement.
  • or the instrument is malfunctioning, watch out for weak batteries

Diabetes diet

From the short introduction we come to the main topic. As you have already learned, diet is important in diabetes. What a diabetic eats is reflected in his or her glycemic level. In diabetes, everything can be eaten. But! There are more facts to remember.

The diet in diabetes is influenced by multiple factors. These include age, type of diabetes (type I, II), gender, physical activity, weight of the person. Subsequently, the blood sugar level is influenced by the type of food and frequency of intake.

Learn about the carbohydrate units (CU) and glycemic index (GI) of foods. You can better navigate good and bad foods.

A carbohydrate unit expresses the amount of sugar contained in a food. One carbohydrate unit is equal to approximately 10 grams of sugar (carbohydrate).

The glycaemic index shows how quickly the sugar in a food affects blood sugar levels. It is given on a scale from 0 to 100.

The table shows the glycaemic index levels, their value and a short description

In a dietary regime, restriction of energy intake is recommended for overweight people. For overweight people, an increase in physical activity is recommended. For weight reduction, physical activity is recommended at least 5 times a week, for 30 minutes.

In the elderly, walking for at least one hour is recommended.

Regular meals and a sufficient number of portions as well as adequate portion size should be observed. In type I diabetes, it is advisable to divide the diet into 6 portions.

Great care should be taken when skipping meals. This can cause the aforementioned hypoglycaemia.

Fat intake should be reduced to less than 35 % of daily energy intake and in the case of obesity (overweight) it should be reduced to less than 30 %. Restrictions should come from unsaturated fatty acids (stearic, palmitic, myristic acid).

Vegetable oils from rapeseed, olives, peanuts are harmless. In the diet, the presence of fish fats, essential fatty acids (which the body cannot produce on its own) omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is welcome.

Carbohydrates should be represented mainly in the form of polysaccharides and fibre.

You're probably not very wise about this. Simply put, sugar intake should be in the form of fruits and vegetables. And there's one more rule here. Split into 5 individual meals per day. The amount of fiber is recommended at 20-35 g per day. Simple sugars should be limited to no more than 30 g per day.

And what about protein? If there is a kidney problem, the daily intake is limited to 0.8 g/kg body weight. And if not, the protein intake is between 1 and 1.5 g/kg body weight.

Artificial sweeteners are suitable as sugar substitutes. Aspartame has no restrictions. Saccharin is restricted for children under three years of age and for pregnant and lactating mothers. Flavouring with natural sweeteners, such as stevia, is preferable.

DIA products are mainly made for diabetics. We can notice their higher fat content, and their energy value is equal to non-DIA products. Try to focus your attention more on low-calorie foods.

A reasonable drinking regime helps the overall body condition and digestion. Liquids with low sugar content, better home juiced fruit juices, unsweetened teas, mineral waters.

Read also the following articles:
Glycaemic values in a table
Hypoglycaemia - what we should know
Hyperglycaemia - FAQ s
Diabetes and its complications

Which foods are appropriate and inappropriate

The key to success is in your cart or refrigerator or pantry. Take a careful look at what is in there and in what proportions. Write it down. After reading this article, take stock again. Then compare the results and cross out and rewrite.

Suitable foods

The table gives an insight into the foods that are suitable for diabetes.

But even with these, what is written in the lines above still applies.

• Eating well is common sense
• eating sensibly
• regularly
• in moderation
• keep your sugar levels within normal limits

Suitable foods are listed in the table below

The foods listed in the table above have positive effects for the body in general, but in diabetes they help maintain proper glycemic values.

This does not mean that you have to exclude foods not found in it from your diet. You need to follow general principles and, of course, common sense.

Inappropriate foods

Now we list the foods or liquids whose representation in diabetes should be lower, the lowest and in some cases none.

These "forbidden" foods negatively affect blood sugar values.

Poorer blood sugar control equals a problem with diabetes. And a problem with diabetes equals a problem with the whole body.

Here are the things to limit when you have diabetes:

• Alcohol is prohibited, although moderate alcohol consumption has no direct negative effect. What is a moderate amount? No more than one drink a day.
• Fried food (chips), meat, potato chips, burgers
• Meat, fatty and smoked (e.g. bacon, sausages, crackling, fish in oil, pate)
• high-fat dairy products such as whole milk, cream, whipped cream, fatty cheeses, sweet yoghurt
• mayonnaise, lard
• white bread, oatmeal, pasta, flour
• beverages such as sweetened waters, fruit juices, syrups, lemonades, store-bought milk drinks
• sweets due to their high content of simple sugars (e.g. rapeseed and cane sugar): sweets, desserts, chocolates (low cocoa content below 70%), cakes, pastries, creams, cakes, puddings, ice cream
• Vegetables and fruits with high sugar content are, for example, melon, figs, dates, apricots, compotes
• dried fruit is high in sugars and should be replaced by fresh fruit
• salty bars and other savoury snacks to eat are made from white flour and the high sodium content negatively affects the body
• coffee drinks high in sugars and cream
• convenience foods because of their unbalanced energy content and higher sodium levels
• pizza - only homemade, where you can choose the ingredients that suit you

The table below gives an example of low and high glycaemic index foods

Example of daily diet

The daily dietary intake should be divided into 5 meals throughout the day. In type I diabetes, 6 should be followed.

1. Breakfast should include more complex carbohydrates, fats and protein. This includes for example wholemeal bread, butter, ham, vegetables. Possibly white yoghurt, fruit and oatmeal in reasonable amounts.
2. Snacks should be represented by fruit, such as apple, citrus fruits. Again, wholemeal bread with vegetables is an example.
3. Lunch should consist of soup (legumes, vegetables, cabbage). The second course is represented by lean meat, the side dish can be potatoes, brown rice, wholemeal pasta. Do not forget about vegetables, and on the contrary, try to forget about frying.
4. Snack, wholemeal bread, fruit.
5. For dinner you can have meat again, preferably fish. Steamed vegetables are a good choice. Soya and tofu dishes can be a change.
6. Dinner number 2 is a command for type I diabetes. Wholemeal bread, yoghurt, cheese, vegetables.

At this point, you should have a little better idea of appropriate food.

Diabetes is a lifelong disease and you have to learn to live with it. If you try to fight it or ignore it, you're bound to get the short end of the stick. It will gradually rob you of your health and vitality.