Foods To Avoid If You Have Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus occurs when the cells of the human pancreas no longer produce sufficient insulin. The hormone insulin aids in breaking down sugar in the blood into a form that can be better stored by the body and used for energy at a later time. Organ systems and body tissues can be harmed or destroyed by high blood sugar levels, and diabetics currently have to take insulin to help break down blood glucose. They also still have to go through painful procedures such as dialysis in order to clean out organs and keep them running and intact.

If you are suffering from diabetes, your doctor might have already told you to keep your feet clean, take your insulin shots, have a lot of exercise, and eat a good balanced meal of the right foods. There are foods that you have to avoid if you have diabetes, and your diet, in general, will be high in soluble fibers but low in saturated fats. If you are suffering from diabetes, your doctor may encourage you to eat lower amounts of carbohydrate products that may have a high glycemic index. Diabetes is also growing more widespread, a phenomenon that has prompted food, beverage, and pharmaceutical companies to produce products especially catered to meet the needs of diabetics.

However, many doctors also caution against the indiscriminate purchase and use of such products, which are often very expensive. Such diabetic-catered products can also have much higher levels of fats, or they may actually have no real, substantiated, or special benefits for people who are suffering from diabetes. Staying on a good diet and avoiding the right foods is still the best way to keep your blood glucose levels down. Scientists have found that the time you eat, the amount of food that you eat, and the balance of nutrients in your food all affect your metabolism and hence, your tendency to deal with or succumb to the effects of diabetes.

If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be asked to coordinate with a dietitian or nutritionist who will help you formulate a meal and snack plan. You might be asked to count your carbohydrates by keeping track of the sugary or starchy foods that you consume. You will then have to follow the food pyramid strictly. The largest part of the pyramid, at the bottom, will consist of whole grains and starchy vegetables, which should comprise a large part of your meal. This means that you need to have at least two servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. The next step in the pyramid consists of proteins, which you can get from lean meat, legumes, and cheese, all of which you should eat in smaller quantities. Next, you can have a small amount of non-fat or low-fat dairy. Fats and sugars are at the top, and you can eat only very small amounts of these. These rules, however, are only general, and they may not suit your specific diabetic case. You will still need to talk to a dietitian or nutritionist in order to find the best diet for you.

In addition to eating the right foods, you will also have to avoid others, such as foods that are extremely salty. This is because diabetes is often accompanied to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is exacerbated not only by large amounts of fats in the diet, but high amounts of sodium as well. You will need to cut down on the salt in your food, or you may need to purchase and use non-sodium or low sodium salt substitutes. You also need to stay away from foods that are high in sodium and salt, such as crackers, chips, processed or preserved meet products, or canned foods such as sardines or soups. Although diabetes is linked to blood sugar levels, you do not need to stay away from sugar altogether. You do need, however, to stop adding sugar to foods, and to use sugar in low amounts. For better results, eat sugar within a healthy meal, such as in frozen yogurt, pudding, or fruit pies. If you are not prone to caffeine-related tremors, you can also drink diet colas and soft drinks: such drinks will use sugar substitutes, but they are also higher in caffeine. Stay away from processed foods, as these will have no nutrients, and will only have larger amounts of sugars and fats to add flavor. Most importantly, stay away from fats. Having diabetes also puts you at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases, so stay away from saturated fats, which you can find in dairy products, solid vegetable fats, and butter.

When cooking chicken, take the skin off. Avoid butter and margarine, and use oils made from canola or olive. Stay away from full cream products: use skimmed, low-fat, or non-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt. Instead of frying foods, grill, boil, bake, or broil it instead. Stay away from alcoholic beverages. Stick to your meal plan even if you are eating out. Although all this may sound inconvenient and difficult, you can avoid foods and have an easier time managing your diabetes with a little practice and patience.

Diabetes - Where Is My Insulin?

Millions of people around the world are inflicted by diabetes mellitus, or more commonly called diabetes. You may be suffering from this chronic disease without even knowing you have it. Even though it an incurable disease, you can lead a long, normal healthy life if the diabetes is properly controlled by following the proper treatment method. Causes Of Diabetes Diabetes is the result of failure of your pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin is necessary to help glucose enter into the cells of your body where it is used to release energy.

When insulin is not available or is not functioning like what it's supposed to be, glucose will not be able to penetrate into the cells. It will remain in your blood and when the blood glucose level is too high it will result in a condition called pre-diabetes or diabetes. A pre-diabetes condition is a situation where the blood glucose level is higher than normal, but below the level where it would be classified as diabetes. If both this condition is left untreated, it will lead to other health problems such as renal failure, blindness, heart disease and even liver failure. Persons diagnosed with a diabetes condition should get immediate medical attention to avoid further complications because diabetes can be managed quite easily by the patient himself.

Diabetes can be generally classified into 3 categories, i.e. Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is generally suffered by children or young adults. The most common form of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes which is experience by most adults and older people. Gestation diabetes is when a pregnant woman experiences a high blood glucose level although prior to her pregnancy, she does not have this condition. This condition may also disappear after she delivers her child. Is Diabetes An Inherited Disease? The answer is not too clear. Statistics have shown that 10 percent of children suffering from Type 1 diabetes have a close relative with this type of disease. Scientist and medical researchers have recently identified that when a muted gene (SUMO-4) is present, the risk of getting Type 1 diabetes in children increases. However for Type 2 diabetes, the role of genetics is unclear.

Symptoms of Diabetes Most people do not know they are suffering from diabetes because the symptoms can be quite obscure without actually screening for the disease. Some of the symptoms of diabetes include the following: * frequent urination especially at night * feeling thirsty and hungry frequently * blurred vision * loosing weight without trying * feeling tired or fatigue easily * bruises and cuts which are difficult to heal * numbness or tingling sensation in your hands and feet * gum, skin or bladder infection that keeps coming back Some of these symptoms are too obscure and leads to delayed diagnosis of diabetes. Some patients do not even show these symptoms.

When in doubt, consult your family doctor and have the screening process for diabetes done. Conclusion Diabetes is a serious disease that affects many people. More than 6 million Americans do not know they are suffering from Type 2 diabetes. As a precaution, persons above the age of 45 should undergo screening for diabetes, especially if you are overweight. If it is confirmed that you have diabetes, do not feel as if your life is ending soon. Get medical attention fast and you will lead a long normal life.

Holidays And Diabetes: Six Tips For Enjoying Season’s Treats

The holiday season spanning November to January is a special time for many. Whenever you celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or New Year’s holidays there will be lavish festivities featuring buffets groaning with food. Families will unite around the dining table to enjoy the many wonderful dishes and special holiday treats traditionally served. The hyper-abundance of rich foods, beverages and desserts can wreak havoc on the diets of most during the holidays. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, holiday dining can pose considerable challenges.

Diabetes is a disorder that leads to high glucose or sugar levels in the blood when the body produces little or no insulin – the chemical the body uses to break down sugars in the blood. Roughly 90% of diabetics have what’s called type 2 diabetes. The body’s cells are insulin resistant, and the disease is managed with careful meal planning, exercise and medication when needed. Pre-diabetes occurs when the blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. Many traditional holiday dishes are loaded with the very fats, sugars, salt and alcohol diabetics are working to minimize. How to cope? Here are six tips for enjoying the food-laden holidays with diabetes.

#1 - Plan for Best Results Let’s face facts: you will eat. But your diabetic meal plan takes no holidays. With diabetes you must have a strategy in place to cope with the deluge of delights before you indulge. Work with your dietician and your doctor to develop a plan, and then stick to the plan. If you must sample some of Aunt Hilda’s famed dessert, know what food trades you must make to do so. Maybe you'll need to adjust your medication. Or add extra walks to your daily routine (see tip #5). Work with your diabetes team to come up with a plan that meets your needs.

#2 - Never Go Hungry During the holidays lots of people go to parties ravenous. No wonder they overeat. Ensure you have a balanced breakfast and lunch the day of the party. Eat a small yogurt or other healthy snack before you arrive.

#3 - Eat the Stuff That’s Good for You Start with the healthy stuff – the veggie platter, fresh salads – first, before choosing the fried, creamed, cheese-filled, processed, high-fat goodies and desserts.

#4 - Focus on Friends and Family Before Food Too often we mindlessly munch while distracted or mesmerized by good conversation, a movie or the football game and we never realize just how much we’ve really consumed. With diabetes, you’ve got to track your food intake. The holidays are a time to celebrate family and friends. Put the food down, and give your companions your full attention. There’s plenty of time to eat later.

#5 - Step It Up Walking after a meal is perhaps the most important thing you can do during the holidays for diabetes. In fact it’s something everyone can do during the holidays, diabetic or not. A nice long postprandial constitutional about one hour after a meal will help lower your blood sugars and reduce any stresses of the season. Invite your loved ones along and enjoy their company. You could be helping them to stave off diabetes.

#6 - Always Monitor Your Blood Sugars Don’t skip testing during the holidays. Make sure that your blood sugars stay in check. Sometimes even the best laid eating plans go awry because you can’t always know exactly what went into that food you ate. Also, make sure someone at the gathering knows you have diabetes. If your blood sugars drop too low and you become hypoglycemic someone should be able to recognize you need help. Above all, relax, enjoy your family and the fun times. Take some time out for yourself. Use these six tips to help you stay healthy during the holidays with diabetes.

Taken from: Health-writer Cydne Kaelin is a wife, niece and granddaughter of diabetics. Visit http://www.naturaldiabetesremedy.com for more tips on holidays and diabetes management.

Diabetes And You

Did you know that diabetes is a disease that affects seven percent of the population of the United States? Diabetes is a condition that affects people from all lifestyles. If you are living in Van, Texas and think that you are at risk for diabetes, it is advisable that you seek medical advice. Go to your East Texas medical clinic and take a test for it. Treatment and careful management are the keys to living with the disease.

Symptoms of Diabetes

There are numerous symptoms of this disease. You should get to know some of the more familiar symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, go straight to your doctor. If you urinate more frequently than usual or experience excessive thirst or hunger, you are exhibiting some of the classic symptoms of "diabetes." These symptoms seem harmless but they are telltale signs of a serious medical condition. Other symptoms that occur in many people are more concerning. Unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and even blurry vision are attributes of diabetes. Early diagnosis is the key to a long, healthy life.

Insulin & Diabetes

People with diabetes are unable to produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is important, as it is necessary to convert carbohydrates into energy. If you have diabetes, your body will struggle to process sugars and starches into the energy that you need. The most common test is the Fasting Plasma Glucose test (FPG). As the name implies, the plasma of your blood is tested for glucose levels after you have fasted. The other test that is commonly performed is the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). As in the FPG, when you take the OGTT you will have to fast. After fasting, you will drink a cup of a glucose rich solution. Two hours after drinking the glucose solution, you will have a blood test.

The Cause of Diabetes

The exact cause remains a mystery but there are a number of factors that can increase a person's risk. People who are overweight or do not exercise are at increased risk of diabetes. African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders are at increased risk of diabetes. The condition is genetic so if you have family members, especially direct family members, with it you are at greater risk. If you are in a higher risk group, then it pays to consider some lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health and reduce your risk level. Your Van, Texas medical clinic will be able to provide you with a great deal of information regarding this.

Living with Diabetes

You cannot change your genetics but you can change your lifestyle. If you are at risk of diabetes, it pays to lead a more active life. Regular exercise and a healthier diet can prevent it, even in people who have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Some of the lifestyle changes may be difficult to make but they can help you live a longer, healthier life. If you feel the need to take a diabetes test, Countryside Clinic is a health clinic that services the East Texas area.

Taken from :Andre Zayas is a professionally syndicated author.

Diabetes Diet To Control Diabetes

Proper diet is very important for people suffering from diabetes. It is recommended that the diet of diabetes patient should be high in fiber and low in fat. Diabetes diet is not a special food that is packaged by a pharmaceutical company and can be purchased off the shelf. Neither is it a complicated dieting plan. It is just a healthy eating habit which emphasizes on fruits, vegetable and whole grains. Diabetes diet can also be practiced by healthy people who want to lead a healthy lifestyle.

History Of Diabetes Diet During the early days before the discovery of insulin, doctors would recommend diabetes patient to consume a low-calorie diet. It is more to prevent ketoacidosis, which is caused by high concentrations of ketone bodies. This was due to the breakdown of amino acids and deamination of amino acids by our body. The low-calorie diet didn't actually cure diabetes but it did prolong the life of the patient quite a bit. Establish A Good Eating Habit You should establish a regular eating habit for your meals and snacks. As far as possible, avoid ad hoc eating habit because it is difficult to control what goes into your stomach. Always eat the healthiest food in the right amount. Excessive amounts are also not good for the body. If you are taking diabetes medication or insulin, your eating habits will have to be stricter. Eat only the right amount of servings from each food group. You could talk to your doctor if you have difficulty with your diabetes diet. He will probably recommend a dietitian who can tailor your diabetes diet to your lifestyle.

Carbohydrates In Your Diabetes Diet The American Diabetes Association recommends that carbohydrates should form 60% to 70% of the total caloric intake. This is somewhat controversial because some studies have suggested a low carbohydrate diet. It is best to work out your diabetes diet with your dietitian. Try to plan your diabetes diet to have the same amount of carbohydrate at each mealtime to maintain an ideal blood sugar level right through the day. Exchange List In Diabetes Diet The "exchange scheme" was introduced in the 1950 by the American Diabetes Association.

The purpose or intent is to allow patients to swap or exchange food of the same caloric value with another of similar value. For example, you may eat more cake and reduce on the potatoes at dinner time. The exchange list is not so popular with current dietitians. They are more likely to introduce diabetes diet that includes a wide range of fruit, vegetables and one that has a high fibre content and low in sugar and saturated fat. Conclusion To minimize the risk of diabetes complication, we must practice a healthy eating habit. This is the most logical way to maintain an ideal blood sugar level. Your diabetes diet need not be bland and boring. You could include your favorite food by balancing it with other healthy nutritious items. Be creative at your meal plan and at the same time mindful of the effects it brings to your diabetes diet