Diabetes Diet Plans

Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes) is the result of a set of metabolic illness since the body of the person has the inability to produce enough insulin or the the body cells fail to respond to the insulin created by the pancreas (an endocrine gland) and hence the body shows some symptoms like polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).

The three main types of diabetes are:

1. Type 1 diabetes:This condition is caused due to the inability of the body to produce enough insulin for the normal functioning of the body and sometimes the patient needs to be injected with insulin which is artificially created and it is also called as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and juvenile diabetes.
2. Type 2 diabetes:This condition occurs when the person’s body is resistant to insulin or the body is unable to use insulin properly.
3. Gestational Diabetes:This is suffered by pregnant women where there is increase in the blood glucose level during the time of maternity.Mostly this condition get resolved after delivery.

Other types of diabetes include Congenital Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis related diabetes, Steroid diabetes and different forms of  monogenic diabetes.

Diabetes Causes

The lifestyle is the main cause of Type-2 diabetes and also sometimes genetic problems leads to the disease while Type-1 diabetes is partly hereditary but also triggered due to some virus namely Coxsackie B4 virus.

Diabetes Symptoms

• The classical symptoms as already mentioned are polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).
• Sudden symptoms are shown in Type-1 diabetes while the symptoms are gradual in Type-2 diabetes
• Sustained high blood glucose level results to glucose absorption which may result to change of shape of the lenses of the eyes and if the blood glucose is controlled, the lenses can regain its original shape.
• Blurred vision is the common sign of diabetes
• A rapid deep breathing known as kussmaul breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• An altered state of consciousness
• A number of skin rashes are the other symptom of diabetes which are collectively known as diabetic dermadromes

Diabetic Diet

The diabetic must be encouraged to have a diet which has lower carbohydrate content but different dietitian and physicians have different opinions regarding the carbohydrate levels to be in-taken.American Diabetes Association told that the diabetic should intake a diet which contains 60% carbohydrates while some researchers suggests it to be 40%.Recent research reveals that Vegan Diet is very helpful for curing Type-2 diabetes.Timing of meals is also very important for controlling diabetes.Alcohol consumption and the usage of some drugs must be reduced or stopped as recommended by the physician or diatitian.

Specific diet for the diabetics

Pritikin Diet:This diet consists of vegetables, fruits, and grains which has high carbohydrate content.This diet must be accompanied by exercise for the control of diabetes

G.I Diet:This is the short form of Glycemic Index Diet.Diabetes can be controlled by taking foods having low glycemic index.These are foods which are slowly converted to glucose in the blood.

Low Carb Diet:The diet which contains less amount of carbohydrates are called low carb diet.By making it a habit and over a period of time fat will become the primary source of energy for the diabetic which is not easily converted to glucose in blood.But the diet must contain low saturated fats since saturated fats will lead to blood cholesterol which will end up in heart disease.

High Fiber diet:This is highly recommended by American diabetes Association since it works better in controlling diabetes.

Paleolithic Diet:The positive effects of this diet is emerging and this diet helps for greater glucose intolerance.

As of 2000, 90-95% of the U.S. diabetes population are suffering from Type-2 diabetes and 2.8% of the world’s population are suffering from diabetes.