Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels increases above normal level. It happens because glucose stays in the blood due to the lack of a hormone called insulin, hence glucose can’t be converted to energy to be used as energy. In this article we will cover nutritional information of Type 2 Diabetes.

Understanding Nutrition for Type 2 Diabetes

There are 2 main types of diabetes

• Type 1 in which no insulin is produced by pancreas. (kids)
• Type 2 Diabetes, in which insulin produced is not enough. (90% people have this type normally in adults)

Type 2 diabetes

Typical symptoms are

• Extreme thirst
• Tired feeling
• Weight and muscle bulk loss
• Frequent urination, particularly at night
• Blurry vision
• Itching around private parts
• Slow healing of the wound.

Treatment

• Allopathic medication

Prevention of type 2 diabetes

• Lose weight
• Healthy eating
• Quit smoking
• Proper exercise regime
• You should check for diabetes every year

There is a high risk of becoming diabetic if

1. Age is above 40 (read more on diet tips for women above 40)
2. Waist in Men is above 35.5 inch and in women it’s over 32.5 inch
3. family has history of diabetes
4. and blood sugar is above 4

UNDERSTANDING NUTRITION IN TYPE 2 DIABETES

The purpose of understanding nutrition in type 2 diabetes is to

• control blood sugar levels and
• Lose weight if needed

Recommendations

The meal of the patient should be planned by working closely with doctor and dietitian. The nutrients selection and meal planning depends on

• Your weight
• Your diet
• Frequency and extent of exercise
• other health risks

There is no separate diet for diabetic patients. The points to keep in head are

• When to eat
• What to eat and
• How much to eat.

Rough Meals and snacks plan during a day

• Breakfast
• Morning snack
• Lunch
• Afternoon snack
• Dinner
• Evening snack

Which Foods To Take In Diabetes?

Every one is different so is our body type, needs and our diseases too. The following article will just give a range of servings. The number of servings right for one patient might be different from another patient according to individual patient. The article below is just a guideline. Consult your dietitian for individual needs.

Grains, Beans And Strachey Vegetables (6-11 Servings A Day)

• Examples of 1 serving sizes
• 1 bread slice
• 1/3 cup cooked pasta or rice
• ¾ cup of cereal (dry)
• ½ cup of potatoes, beans, peas or corn
• cooked oatmeal ½ cup
• 1 very small whole grain muffin

Foods that give us carbohydrates for energy are included in this group e.g,

• wheat,
• barley,
• oats etc.

Other foods included in this group are starchy vegetables like

• potatoes,
• pumpkin,
• peas,
• squash and
• corns etc.

Whole grains should be chosen over processed grains as the later can make blood sugar level go higher.

THE VEGETABLE GROUP: (3-5 servings a day)

• Examples of 1 serving sizes
• 1 cup raw vegetables
• ½ cup cooked vegetables

Vegetables are powerhouses of vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Examples of foods included in this group are

• Carrots
• Cucumber
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Cabbage
• Onion etc

THE FRUIT GROUP: (2-4 servings a day)

• Examples of 1 serving size
• 1 small whole fruit like apple

• Author
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Yusra Kashif

Yusra Kashif has done masters in Food and Nutrition. She has also worked as a Dietitian in an international hospital and as a teacher in a private school. Currently she is taking a further degree in “Food and Nutrition Advisor” from U.K. She loves crafts, baking, cooking and exploring. Yusra is currently a stay at home mum and a part time writer.

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