Why Nutrition is Important for Type 2 Diabetes?

Answer 1

Type 2 Diabetes, also called non-insulin dependent diabetes, affects nearly 95 percent of the more than 21 million people diagnosed with diabetes. The disease is characterized by the inability of a person's body to metabolize glucose, or sugar. When a person has type 2 diabetes, their pancreas either does not produce enough insulin for the body to use or the cells within the body are resistant to the effects of insulin.

While diabetes cannot be cured, there are several ways in which a person can effectively manage their blood sugar levels. Nutrition is an extremely important factor in diabetes management, and it can have an influence on how well a person controls their blood sugar. The following discusses the role that nutrition plays in diabetes management and discusses how proper nutrition can be used to keep blood sugar within a healthy level.

Healthy Eating

While it is important for diabetics to follow a lifestyle of healthy eating, there is not a specific diet that only people with diabetes should follow. Rather, diabetics should follow the same guidelines for healthy eating that are recommended for everyone else, even those who do not have diabetes and also for those who are at risk for developing diabetes. This includes a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and reducing intake of processed foods, fatty foods and foods that are high in calories.

The Importance of Carbohydrates

While carbohydrates are an important source of fuel for the body, they are broken down to glucose after they have been digested within the body. If a diabetic consumes a meal that is very high in carbohydrates, they will experience a spike in their blood sugar levels. For this reason, it is important for diabetics to choose whole grain sources of carbohydrates, which the body digests slowly and will help to keep blood sugar within a healthy range.

Diet Tips

In an effort to keep blood sugar under control, diabetics should eat meals and snacks around the same time each day and try to maintain an even balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat in every meal. Their diet should contain sources of lean meats, and foods low in carbohydrates such as beans, brown rice, nuts, whole wheat and whole grain food sources. Much like a diet for anyone else, moderation is key for diabetics and they can still eat their favorite foods as long as they are consumed sparingly and are eaten in conjunction with a balanced diet.