2.Diabetes Diets - Breaking Down Barriers And Focusing On Benefits

Diabetes Diets - Breaking Down Barriers And Focusing On Benefits

It is easy enough to follow any diet for a short time but when you are faced with following a life-long diabetes diet you will find that there are a number of barriers which will frustrate you in your efforts. The secret therefore to starting a diabetic diet is to understand just what those barriers are and to focus your attention on the benefits of your diabetes diet.


The sort of barriers that you are likely to encounter might include:


Cost. Buying fresh fruit and vegetables is not cheap, particularly when you are buying 'out of season' imported products. But don't forget that, as you increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, you are also cutting back on expensive convenience foods and snack items like potato chips, so the two will tend to balance out.


Culture. Food is a lot more than just sustenance and for many of us it is also very much an expression of our culture. Fortunately, there are many different ways to prepare food and you will find many excellent diabetic cookbooks focusing of food from particular cultures.


Family, Family members might find it difficult to adjust to a different diet and they may be less than happy with your 'alternative' macaroni cheese. Here it is best to simply sit down with the family and talk about your diabetes and just what it means in terms of your diet. In the vast majority of cases your family will be more than supportive once they understand your position.


Social Pressure. Bringing your family on board should be quite easy but it may not be quite so easy, or practical, to bring others on board. Of course it should be simple enough to tell your wider family and close friends about your dietary needs and help to avoid embarrassment at dinner parties and other events where food is served, but there are always going to be times when you find yourself in a social situation and are tempted to try a slice of home-made gateaux.


Here it is a case of planning ahead and deciding what you are going to do before the event. For example, you could decide to have a small piece of gateaux and simply adjust your diet for the remainder of that day to compensate. Another option might be to decide that it is better to eat before you go out or to take along your own favorite snack, plus a little bit extra for others to try.


However you decide to tackle these barriers, they will need to be faced and overcome. This should not prove too difficult with a little bit of thought and effort, but it will also help if you focus your attention on some of the benefits of following your diabetes diet:


Feeling better. Without your diet there is a good chance that you will overeat, or eat the wrong foods, raising your blood sugar level and making you feel tired and generally unwell. With your diabetic diet however you will feel a whole lot better.


Better weight control. With your diabetic diet you will avoid overeating and eating foods which are likely to lead to weight gain, allowing you to keep your figure and also reducing the risk of other health problems like heart disease and stroke.


Reduce your risk from low blood sugar levels. We tend think of diabetes in terms of high blood sugar levels but many diabetics also experience the difficulties associated with low blood sugar levels, such as dizziness, weakness, sweating and irritability, and can even fall into a diabetic coma. You diabetic diet will keep you on a regular eating pattern which will reduce this risk dramatically.


With the right diabetic diet, as well as a little bit of exercise, you will find that you can keep your diabetes under control and live a full and normal life.

1.Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Diabetes

Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Diabetes

Diabetes becomes more prevalent with age. About half of all the cases are diagnosed over age 60. There are two types of diabetes that can affect seniors. Type I diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system, for some yet undiscovered reason, mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for making insulin. However, 90 percent of the time when an older person gets the disease, it is diabetes II. If you have Type II, your pancreas is still doing its job. The catch is that it either isn’t producing enough insulin or it is making plenty of insulin but your body has developed what is known as insulin resistance. Although diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure, here are a few suggestions that can help you.


1. Pay Attention To Your Feet


Inspect your feet and between your toes every day. Diabetes can damage nerve endings in your feet and toes, making it difficult for you to feel sores, blisters, and other injuries. Look for cuts, breaks in the skin, or swollen, red areas. Keep your feet clean and dry. Bathe your feet with warm water and mild soap every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes. Apply a thin coat of moisturizing lotion if the skin on your feet feels unusually dry. Wear clean socks and comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Never go barefoot. You are more likely to get injured if you do.


2. Avoid Large Meals


Spread your calories, especially those that come from carbohydrates, throughout the day in order to keep your blood sugar levels at optimal levels. So instead of two large meals, you may want to eat five or six smaller meals like half a sandwich and an orange.


3. Step Lively


Regular exercise is a vital part of any diabetes management plan. Just taking a 15-minute walk every day can help lower blood sugar and can help your body use insulin more efficiently. Some activities such as weight-lifting may not be safe for you, particularly if you have high blood pressure or diabetic eye disease.


4. Consume Fiber


Food high in water-soluble fiber like beans, oat bran, fruits, and nuts can help people with diabetes control their blood sugar. Soluble fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates, so your blood sugar level may not rise as quickly. Try eating at least 20 grams of fiber a day. You will be well on your way to reaching your goal.


5. Follow The Pyramid


Even if you have a dietary plan specifically designed to control your diabetes, certain basics apply to everyone. It is recommended to take reference to the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Food Guide Pyramid for people who are 50-plus as an excellent starting point for any senior who has diabetes. These guidelines give you a general eating program that balances your consumption of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in a way that should provide good nutrition.


6. Treat Yourself


In the past, people with diabetes were told that they could not eat certain foods, namely refined carbohydrates like sugar, cookies, or sweets. However, all carbohydrates have similar effects on blood sugar. That means a cookie elevates blood sugar about as much as a slice of bread or piece of fruit. Moderation is the key. Try to keep your simple-sugar intake down to 10 percent of your total calories each day.


7. Know Your Enemy


Learn as much as you can about diabetes. The better you understand the disease, the more likely you are to be able to control it. Ninety-nine percent of the care and management of diabetes is in the patient’s hands. You have to prepare your meals, and monitor your blood sugars. You have to know what to do and when to do it. And you can do it if you don’t have the knowledge and skills.