How Food Affects Type 2 Diabetes
Now that you understand Type 2 Diabetes Basics, the best thing you can do for your health is lose weight. But healthy eating for diabetes prevenmtion and control is about more than weight loss. Research has shown that losing even small amounts of weight — as little as ten pounds over two years — can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by up to 30 percent. Among people with diabetes, weight loss improves insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, reduces triglycerides and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure. That is to say, losing a few pounds may very well save your life. But healthy eating for diabetes prevention or control is about more than weight loss. During digestion, carbohydrates break down to create glucose, which enters the bloodstream, triggering a rise in insulin, which is necessary for the glucose to enter…
Is Your Child at Risk for Diabetes? Know the Signs
Diabetes is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can damage virtually every tissue in the body. Diabetes in children may be particularly dangerous because kids aren’t attuned to the symptoms. Whether you’re talking about type 1 or type 2 (see below to learn the difference), the disease affects children much the same way it does adults—symptoms are similar and many of the same treatments are used. But children may not know what they’re feeling or think to tell you what’s going on. That’s why it’s important that parents know what to look for. Read on to learn about the two types of diabetes and common warning signs. Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas fails to produce the insulin necessary to break down glucose. People with type 1 diabetes must…
Top 10 Worst Foods For Diabetes
Candy Not only do high-sugar foods like candy, cookies, syrup, and soda lack nutritional value, but these low-quality carbohydrates also cause a dramatic spike in blood sugar levels and can contribute to weight gain, both of which can worsen diabetes complications. Learn to satisfy your sweet tooth by snacking on high-quality carbohydrates such as fresh fruit. Apples, berries, pears, grapes, and oranges all have sweet, juicy flavors and are packed with fiber to help slow the absorption of glucose, making them a much better choice for blood sugar control. When snacking on fruit, pair it with a protein food, such as a string cheese, nonfat yogurt, or handful of nuts, to further reduce the impact on your blood sugar. (For more sweet ideas, see my list of 20 Low-Sugar Snack ideas). Pretzels Pretzels have a healthy image, but a…
Diabetes Explained
Insulin and blood sugar levels The basic definition of diabetes, whether Type 1 or Type 2, is that there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. This is caused when the pancreas malfunctions in its ability to produce the hormone insulin. Insulin breaks down glucose in food to be transformed into energy. People with diabetes can no longer produce insulin or cannot produce enough of it to ensure the level of glucose in the body is regulated and properly converted into energy. Without this transformation into energy, blood sugar levels rise and can lead to serious long-term and short-term complications. Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes Diabetes comes in three forms: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition, in which the body attacks itself – here, the cells that create insulin in the pancreas. Not much…
How I used food to fight off diabetes in one year
The 34-year-old nurse tells SBS about how reducing the amount of white rice he ate helped to improve his blood sugar levels. My diabetes story started in early 2017 when I developed a pain in my neck. One morning at 3am, I presented to the emergency department at Blacktown Hospital, NSW. It’s a hotspot for diabetes in the area, so staff regularly conduct diabetes screening on patients. They tested me for diabetes. My results showed that I was in the pre-diabetes range [a precursor to type 2 diabetes]. I was shocked. I soon received a letter saying that my blood sugar levels were on the high side, and if I didn’t do something about it, I would get diabetes. It was as plain and simple as that. I have a family history of diabetes – my mum has…
10 Foods Diabetics Should Eat Daily
Making healthy food choices to control blood sugar is key for those with type 2 diabetes, but what if there were foods that not only kept diabetes under control, but also improved your diabetes and overall health – kind of how calcium can improve bone health? Researchers have identified some key functional foods that appear to improve the disease condition and possibly reduce risk. Blueberries Eating the tiny blue fruit is a nutrient-dense way to get some of your daily carbs, and research also suggests that eating blueberries regularly – as well as other berries – improves insulin sensitivity. This means cells are more receptive to the body’s own insulin. Researchers also credit the anti-inflammatory effect of phytochemicals in berries as possibly reducing some of the cardiovascular risks seen with type 2 diabetes. Oranges Oranges, grapefruits, clementines – research…