Healthy Diet Chart For Diabetes Patients

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disease. This is a disease where your blood carries more sugar than ideally required. This condition occurs when your pancreas becomes incapable of producing insulin or the insulin produced by the body cannot be put to good use. The cells which make the insulin in the pancreas are called is-lets.

Since the body is unable to produce insulin, the sugar level in your bloodstream goes up beyond normal. This condition is called hyperglycemia. Diabetes is considered to be a silent killer, and if left untreated, diabetes goes on to damage the eyes, kidneys, and other vital organs.

Insulin:

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It is the most crucial hormone when it comes to diabetes. Insulin functions like a key by opening your cells and allowing the sugar or glucose from the food to enter your bloodstream. All carbs you eat are eventually broken down as glucose as they enter the blood.

The glucose in the blood is used for energy. If your body is incapable of generating insulin, the glucose levels in the blood get raised. This condition is called hyperglycemia.

What are the Different Types of Diabetes?

Diabetes comes in 4 types, they are:

1. Prediabetes: This is a condition where the sugar level in the blood is higher than normal but not as high to qualify as diabetes. 

1. Type I Diabetes: It is also called juvenile diabetes, as it usually develops in the younger generation of people. However, people of all ages are susceptible to Type I diabetes. Approximately 5% of people having diabetes have Type I diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This is the most severe type of diabetes.

In Type I diabetes, the immune system of your body attacks is-lets, i.e., insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and destroys them. That is why Type I diabetes is also called an autoimmune disease.

In Type I diabetes, the immune system of your body attacks is-lets, i.e., insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and destroys them. That is why Type I diabetes is also called an autoimmune disease.

Once the cell producing insulin gets destroyed, a body can no longer produce its own insulin. There is no so-called key to control the sugar level in the blood, hence, the sugar remains in the bloodstream, and the glucose level increases. Type I diabetes, if left untreated, can be fatal. It can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart.

Insulin treatment is the only therapy for patients having Type I diabetes.

1. Type II Diabetes: It is the most common form of diabetes. It is a non-insulin dependent form of diabetes. 90% of people with diabetes have Type II diabetes. This form of diabetes is mostly seen in people after attaining 35 years of age.

In Type II diabetes, the body can produce some of its own insulin, but not enough as required. In this, the body may also suffer from a condition called insulin resistance, where the body does not respond to insulin, increasing blood glucose levels. Type II diabetes is mainly associated with people who have a sedentary lifestyle and are obese.

1. Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy in a woman. This is caused by the placenta, which produces insulin-blocking hormones. In case the mother develops this type of diabetes during her pregnancy, the probability of her having Type II diabetes at a later stage increases.

Common Symptoms of Diabetes:

Some of the common symptoms of diabetes are:

• Frequent urination at night
• Increased thirst.
• Loss of weight
• Have numbness of feet and hands
• Fatigue

Diabetic Food Chart:

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease. While there are medical treatments to manage this condition, a person with diabetes needs to follow a disciplined diet plan. The following table gives you the ideal food list for a person with diabetes:

Food Chart for an Indian Diabetic diet:

Food habits in India vary from people in other parts of the world, and even within the country, there are various food habits. However, if one has to look at some of the common foods, the following are the Indian diabetic diet chart for food.

Brown Rice - in case you cannot avoid rice in your meal

• Whole Grains - like oats, they are good for keeping weight under control
• Vegetables with high fibre contents like beets and carrots
• Nuts
• Pulses
• Fresh fruits

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is rice good for people with diabetes?

Rice in India is a staple diet for many people. Hence, removing it from the daily diet plan may be a practical problem. Rice has a high glycaemic index which may cause a spike in the sugar level. A person who has diabetes can consume rice in moderation.

1.  Is potato good for people with diabetes?

Potatoes are a food liked by all and are versatile and used in many preparations. But they have a very high carb content. People with diabetes must avoid potatoes, and at best, they can have the skin of the potato.

1. What food can people with diabetes eat freely?

A sugar patient can eat fresh fruits, brown rice, lean meat, nuts, whole grains, and high fibre foods freely.

1. What food can a sugar patient take for breakfast?

Some of the best options for breakfast for diabetes patients include eggs, Greek yoghurt, oatmeal, multigrain avocado toast, low carb smoothies etc. 

1. What are the worst foods for a person with diabetes?

Some foods that a person with diabetes needs to avoid are fried meat, pork, cheese, poultry with skin, and deep-fried fish. 

Summary:

One may safely summarise the discussion on what should sugar patients have as food by noting that diabetes is a lifestyle ailment. They must stop having refined carbohydrates and added sugar, and increase their intake of food items with high fibre. It is also vital for them to exercise regularly.

1200 Calorie Diabetic Diet Plan Chart: