KONTAN.CO.ID – JAKARTA. Diabetes, a chronic disease that must be treated immediately. Here are 4 types of diets that are good for diabetics.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
Also Read: Want to Lower Blood Sugar and Cholesterol? These 3 types of herbal tea are the solution
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. If diabetes is not controlled, it can cause hyperglycemia or an increase in blood sugar, which over time can cause serious damage to many body systems, especially nerves and blood vessels.
Launching the WHO, between 2000 and 2016, there was a 5% increase in the rate of premature death (i.e. before the age of 70) due to diabetes.
Previously in high-income countries the rate of premature death from diabetes decreased from 2000 to 2010, but then increased from 2010 to 2016.
Meanwhile in lower-middle income countries, the rate of premature death from diabetes increased in both periods.
Type 2 diabetes
More than 95% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes is mostly the result of being overweight and lack of physical activity.
Type 2 diabetes occurs due to the body’s ineffective use of insulin.
Symptoms may be similar to those of type 1 diabetes, but are often not noticed.
So, it is not uncommon for this disease to be diagnosed only a few years after the condition gets worse, even when complications begin to appear.
However, new research has found that improvement in the condition can still occur in patients with type 2 diabetes.
A study of people in Scotland showed that one in 20 people with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission, even without medical or surgical intervention.
Researchers say it’s higher than expected and there may be more people who can do it.
Diabetes remission is when a person’s blood sugar drops to a healthy level and stays there for at least six months.
So, diabetic patients can get off the drug. Mentioned Diabetes UK, much is still unknown about how diabetes remission works.
However, the strongest evidence is that remission is best achieved by losing weight.
“If you are obese, you are more likely to achieve diabetes remission, if you lose a significant amount of weight, at least 15kg – as quickly and safely as possible after being diagnosed with diabetes,” said the Diabetes UK website.
If you’re looking to start losing weight quickly to go into remission, it’s important to talk to your doctor before you start, to see if it’s the right move for you.
It’s also to determine whether you need to reduce or stop any medication – such as insulin for example – before you start losing weight.
“Rapid weight loss is not recommended if you are of a healthy weight, are under 18, are pregnant, breastfeeding or have been diagnosed with an eating disorder.”
To lose weight for people with diabetes who aim to achieve remission, here are four diet options that can be done.
1. Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is one of the most effective diets for diabetics to lose weight and achieve remission.
The Mediterranean diet focuses on fish, some dairy products, eggs, lean protein such as chicken, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
While red meat, processed foods, and sugar are only consumed in small amounts.
The Mediterranean diet has proven to be beneficial for anyone – but appears to be particularly beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes.
This diet reduces foods that contribute to weight gain, such as simple carbohydrates, without being overly restrictive.
The Mediterranean diet also encourages us to eat fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, which are good for controlling blood sugar.
2. Low calorie diet
Low-calorie diets containing only 850 to 1,200 calories per day are also said to be effective for diabetes remission.
For some people this is difficult, because they have to eat in small amounts.
Not infrequently cause side effects, such as nausea and headaches.
But according to a leading study, funded by Diabetes UK, a low-calorie diet can help a quarter of type 2 diabetes patients lose 15 kg or more, and put 86% of them into remission.
3. Low-carb diet
Eating a low-carb diet can be beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes and can help achieve remission.
Generally, low-carb eating is when you reduce the total amount of carbohydrates you consume in a day to less than 130 grams.
For reference, two medium slices of bread may contain between 30 and 40 g of carbohydrates, while a large potato has about 90 grams.
When implementing a low-carb diet, food sources will focus more on protein such as fish, chicken or nuts, good fats such as avocado, nuts and yogurt, and fruit and vegetables for snacks.
Limit foods like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, pizza, sandwiches, bagels, biscuits, cakes, pastries, and many other packaged foods.
Low-carbohydrate diets work, because of the three main macronutrients that provide energy (protein, carbohydrates, and fat), carbohydrates have the greatest impact on increasing blood sugar and insulin levels.
By reducing carbohydrate intake, it will help lower blood sugar and insulin levels.
4. Weight loss surgery
Weight loss surgery is when the stomach is made smaller, or part of the intestine is tied up, so you will eat less and feel full faster.
Although it will take time to lose weight, experts say blood sugar levels start to drop soon after surgery.
Research has found that it changes how the digestive system works and how the intestines use glucose.
One study found that nearly a third (30.4%) of people who had surgery went into remission after 15 years of having diabetes.
This may seem like a quick fix, but people undergoing weight loss surgery will still have to learn to eat healthy for the rest of their lives.
Whatever your choice, it is important that you talk to your doctor before starting any of the diets above, to determine if it is safe for your condition.(Bestari Kumala Dewi)
Also Read: You Can Try! These 3 Easy Ways To Lower Bad Cholesterol
This article has been published on Kompas.com with the title “4 Best Diets to Lower Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetics“,
– .
