What is Type 2 Diabetes? According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetes is one of the most common form of diabetes also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, your body is actually making insulin, but the pancreas is not producing enough of it to keep your blood glucose level normal or your body is not using the produced insulin well enough. Because of this, glucose cannot get inside your body cells and when that happens your body cells will not be able to function properly.
For people with diabetes, the right diet is crucial. Managing what you eat can help in keeping your sugar level under control.
WebMD explains that it would be best to make a healthy eating plan and this plan should focus on carbs, fiber, fat and salt.
1. Carbohydrate gives your body fuel that can affect your blood sugar faster compared to fats or protein and can be found mainly in fruits, milk, bread, rice, corn, and vegetables like potatoes. There are two types of carbohydrates, simple and complex. Simple carbs can be found in sugar and complex carbs can be found in beans, nuts, and whole grains. Complex carbohydrates are said to be better for it takes longer to digest providing your body with a steady energy source and it also gives fiber. You can keep track of your carb intake by counting the grams of carbohydrate you eat each day and splitting them evenly in between meals to help control your blood sugar.
2. Fiber helps with digestion, makes you feel fuller resulting to you eating less which is a good thing especially if you are in need of weight loss. The best way to get fiber is to eat fiber-rich foods.
3. Fat intake must be limited for too much fat can lead to heart disease and people with diabetes usually end up getting a heart disease too. So limit your intake of saturated and trans fats which are bad for the heart.
4. Salt can increase the risk of you getting high blood pressure which is also closely associated with diabetes. Avoiding salty food will do you good.
It all boils down to you being responsible for everything you put in that mouth of yours. No matter how many times your doctor, dietician, friends or family tell you what not eat, it is still you who has control over it. Every day remind yourself to stay healthy and live longer.
