Posts Tagged ‘type 2 diabetics’

Fundamentals of a Type Two Diabetes Diet

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

A person suffering from type two diabetes should follow a type two diabetes diet. Though this diet will not help in curing the disease, it assures a healthy life. This is a diet that concentrates on good nutrition that has to be followed by following the rules of the Food Pyramid.

Those suffering from type two diabetes have to maintain a stable diet, exercise, lose weight and stop smoking. Special emphasis is placed on carbohydrates in a type two diabetes diet as carbohydrates have a direct effect on blood glucose levels.

Limit consumption of carbohydrates

As type 2 diabetics have to maintain low blood glucose levels, they have to limit their consumption of foods high in carbohydrates. Foods full of sugar like chocolate, most breads, sweets, cakes and biscuits are full of carbohydrates and are called simple carbohydrates.

There are other foods high in carbohydrates called complex carbohydrates, which are better than simple carbohydrates. These foods break down its glucose at a much slower rate than simple carbohydrates and include wheat germ, barley, oatmeal, maize, potatoes, brown rice and pastas.

Besides complex carbohydrates, the type two diabetes diet should include lots of fruit, vegetables and proteins from eggs, lean meat cuts and dairy products. All this maintains a healthy and varied balance in the diet.

Approach your dietician for advice

A dietician is the best person to give you advice on starting a type two diabetes diet. They not only provide advice on the right foods to eat, they also take your overall health profile in consideration to choose the right foods that help you enjoy your food while maintaining health.

Apart from following a type two diabetes diet, diabetics have to exercise regularly to manage type 2 diabetes. Exercises like walking, jogging, gym sessions and even playing with kids help in improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin in a type 2 diabetic.