THE PATH TO UNDERSTANDING DIABETES

 

According to WHO DIABETES MELLITUS is a group of Metabolic Diseases characterised by Hyperglycaemia ( high blood sugar levels) resulting from defects in Insulin secretion, Insulin action or both.

 

Impairment of Growth and Susceptibility to certain Infections may also accompany chronic Hyperglycaemia. Whether one has been newly diagnosed or has been fighting Type 1 or Type 2 for a while or are helping a loved one – each one needs to gain a deeper understanding of living a Healthier life – with all the tools, health tips and food ideas like Diabetic meal plan you need.

Wherever you are with this disease it is good to know that you have options and you don’t have to be held back and you can still live your Best Life. All you have to do is to Take Action and stick with it.

 

Diabetes can be classified into the following general categories:

• Type 1   Diabetes (due to auto immune – beta cell destruction, usually leading to absolute Insulin Deficiency)
• Type 2   Diabetes  (due to a progressive loss of beta cell Insulin frequently on the background of Insulin resistance )
• Type 3   Diabetes Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) (Diabetes diagnosed in the 2 & 3 trimesters of Pregnancy)
• Type 4   Specific types of Diabetes due to other causes example: Monogenic Diabetes Syndrome, disease of the exocrine pancreas and drug / chemical induced Diabetes.

 

Symptoms of Diabetes:

The following symptoms of Diabetes are typical, however some people with Diabetes have Symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.

• Frequent hunger pangs
• Frequent thirst
• Frequent Urination
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts /. Bruises that are slow to heal
• Weight loss even though you’re eating enough (Type one)
• Tingling,pain, numbness in the hand or feet (Type two)

 

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR DIABETES

Diabetes may be diagnosed based on Plasma Glucose Criteria , either the Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) value or the 2 hr Plasma Glucose ( to – hPG)  value during a 75gm Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) , or A1C criteria.

 

The deduction and treatment of Diabetes decreases the Risk of Developing the Complications of diabetes.With Planning and Preparation you can get back to your normal life and resume your daily Activities. A Balanced Diet and Regular Physical Activity can become a part of EveryDay Routine – one that everyone can live with and Thrive on.

 

According to Harvard Medical School, SLEEP is the third pillar of Good Health, partnered with Diet and Exercise. Throughout it all , we need to know and understand that Diabetes can’t keep us from doing whatever we want and achieve our Highest Goals.

 

There are Olympic Athletes with Diabetes, as well as Professional Football Players, Politicians, Actors, Rockstars and CEOs. We can do so much to make sure that the people we love are thriving as they manage their Diabetes.

 

DIABETES NUTRITION THERAPY

The National Academy of Medicine broadly defines Nutritional Therapy as the treatment of a Disease or condition through the modification of  Nutrient or  Food Intake as explained in the Diabetic Meal Plan shared below. The Principle is to identify and address the Underlying cause of an individual Symptoms.

 

Nutritional therapy is an evidence-based approach to maximising one’s Health Potential through individually formulated Nutritional and Lifestyle changes.It promotes the benefits of Good, Wholesome, Unprocessed Foods for Optimal well-being as well as Therapeutic effects of particular foods for specific health condition.

 

Medical Nutrition Therapy MNT is a key component of Diabetes Education and Management. It includes a Nutrition Diagnosis as well as Therapeutic and Counselling Services to help Manage Diabetes.

 

Nutrition Therapy that includes the development of an Eating Pattern designed to lower Glucose, BP and alter Lipid profiles is important in the management of Diabetes as well as lowering the risk of CVD, Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke as well.

 

A Diabetic Meal Plan –FOOD for Thought !

A Diabetic Diet includes eating lots of fibre Fibre rich Fruits and Vegetables, enjoying Whole Grain Carbohydrates in moderation, fuelling up with Lean Protein and eating a moderate amount of Healthy Fats!!

 

General considerations for a Diabetic MEAL PLAN :

1) The total number of Calories for an individual will depend on the Age ,  Sex , Height Weight as well as the present Nutritional status of that person.

 

2) The main aim of the Diet plan  is to have Stable Blood Glucose levels which are important not only for Optimal Functioning of the body but also to prevent the Complications of Diabetes.

 

3) The Food Choices made in the Diabetic Meal Plan should be as close to the current pattern so as to make it both Feasible and Sustainable. It should not extremely rigid and should provide enough options to cater and fit in to the individual’s Present Routine .

 

4) The Diet Plan should aim to help the individual achieve as closely as possible the desirable Body Weight as being Overweight is one of the Prime Predisposing Factor to Diabetes. Loosing as little as 5 to 10% of Excess Weight helps to Stabilise the Blood Sugar Levels.

 

5) Its  most important to guide and explain the role of a Fibre rich Diet which is Nutrient Dense and not calorie dense . Along with this maintaining a regular Physical Regime and meditation practice as a part of Daily Routine provides  a strong support to a regulated Diet in maintaining desirable Blood Sugar Levels!

 

6) Raised Blood Sugar Levels result in Inflammatory response by the body. Chronic inflammation is the Root Cause of many Lifestyle Diseases as well as Complications of Diabetes. The  implications of the same help to reinforce the importance of Desirable Blood Glucose Levels .

 

7) A healthy balance of Complex Carbohydrates coupled with a moderate amount of Plant-based Proteins and Mono and Polyunsaturated Fats provide a desirable source of Energy for the Optimal Functioning of the internal Organ System and Work outside the body.

 

8) By addressing all the factors leading to Insulin Resistance a Healthy Diet Plan ensures Sustainable results for Complete Well Bring of an individual.

 

9) Along with the total amount of Carbohydrates it’s equally important to pay attention to the Source of Carbohydrate — special attention is paid to avoid the ones which have Gluten in varying amounts.

Gluten can trigger an Auto Immune Response and lead to a Leaky Gut over period of time which further plays havoc with the over all Metabolic Functions and hence the Blood Glucose Levels .