11/07/2023
DIABETES: WHAT SHOULD EAT AND WHAT SHOULD NOT EAT?
Diet plays an important role in controlling diabetes. The diet should ensure adequate nutrition and energy for the patient and do not cause blood sugar to rise, and blood sugar should be controlled within permissible limits. So what should diabetics eat and what should not eat should be avoided?
1. What should diabetics eat?
Diabetics need to know how they should add foods accordingly, what to eat and what not to eat. Foods that people with diabetes should eat include:
• Powdered sugar group:
Whole grains, beans, rice with bran on, vegetables... are processed by steaming, boiling... limiting frying or stir-frying. Vegetables like cassava also provide a lot of starch, so if people with diabetes eat these types, they need to reduce or cut rice.
• Meat and fish group:
People with diabetes should eat fish, lean meat, skinless poultry, fat-removed meat, legumes... which are simply processed such as steaming, boiling, pan-frying to remove fat.
• Fat and sugar group
Foods with unsaturated fats are preferred in the diet of diabetics such as soybean oil, sesame, fish oil, fish fat, olive ...
• Vegetable group:
Diabetics should eat more vegetables in their menu through simple processing methods such as eating raw, steaming, boiling, mixed vegetables but should not use many types of fatty sauces.
• Fruit:
Diabetics need to increase their intake of fresh fruits, do not process them further by adding ice cream or milk, and limit their intake of sweet and ripe fruits such as durian, ripe persimmon, ripe mango...
According to the National Institute of Nutrition, the ratio of energy-producing components in the daily meals of diabetics is specifically determined as follows, which will be very good in stabilizing and treating the disease:
• Protein: protein intake should be 1-1.2 g/kg/day for adults, ie this ratio should be equivalent to 15-20% of dietary energy.
• Lipids: Fat percentage should be 25% of total energy intake, should not exceed 30%. Limit saturated fatty acids. This helps stabilize blood sugar, preventing atherosclerosis
• Glucose: The percentage of energy provided by glucose should reach 50-60% of the total dietary energy of diabetics. Should choose foods with low glycemic index such as: brown rice, rye bread, oats, whole beans...
2. What should diabetics not eat?
The foods that are not good, diabetics should not eat are:
• Baked potatoes
• White bread
• Street
• Well-milled rice
• Noodles
• All kinds of confectionery
• Sweet fruits: watermelon, custard apple, jackfruit, mango....
• Salty foods should not be eaten, especially in patients with both diabetes and hypertension
3. What to drink with diabetes?
Sugary drinks should be avoided whenever possible. Not only do they raise blood sugar, but they make up a significant portion of your daily recommended calories.
That is:
• Soda:
Take the top spot on the list of drinks to avoid. On average, a can of soda contains more than 40g of carbohydrates and 150 calories. This drink also causes weight gain and tooth decay. Ideally, you should replace them with other, healthier drinks.
• Fruit juice:
Many people mistakenly believe that fruit juice is good for health and safe for everyone. While somewhat true, all fruit juices add large amounts of carbohydrates to your diet and are natural sugars. This combination causes blood sugar levels to rise and increases the risk of weight gain. Furthermore, in fruit juices, the fiber has been eliminated. So, if you're craving juice, make sure you opt for 100% pure fruit juice, with no added sugar and limited intake.
• Energy drink
Energy drinks are high in caffeine and carbohydrates. Research has shown that energy drinks not only raise blood sugar but can also cause insulin resistance. In addition, too much caffeine can make you anxious, raise blood pressure, and lose sleep.
4. Principles of eating for diabetes:
Diabetics should and should not eat what should follow the advice, certain indications of the doctor. Besides, it is necessary to know and understand the principles to avoid high blood sugar, prevent and slow down the complications of diabetes:
• Eat in moderation, on time, should not be too hungry, or too full.
• Divide your diet into several meals a day to avoid sudden spikes in blood sugar.
• Do not change too quickly and too much the structure and volume of daily meals.
• Need to exercise after eating, avoid lying down, sitting in one place after eating, spend time practicing sports to ensure health and support diabetes treatment.
