1. Has the diet of people with diabetes changed much in recent years?
The eating plan for people with diabetes should be healthy and balanced. Earlier there was talk of forbidden foods. Current trends avoid restrictions. All people with diabetes need to control the amount of carbohydrate-rich foods they eat at each meal.
People with type 2 diabetes usually have problems with being overweight and/or obese and, therefore, it is advised to reduce the amount of food they normally consume and include carbohydrates in each meal. Do it. In addition, increasing daily physical activity is recommended.
2. What have been the main changes?
Actually, nothing much has changed. There is no miracle diet, no superfood, no magic diet. You also need to be wary of foods labeled “no added sugar” or “for diabetics.” Not adding sugar does not mean that it does not contain carbohydrates and therefore, we should measure them. Foods “for diabetics” are usually more expensive and provide no additional benefits. It is a marketing strategy to encourage its consumption. The meal plan should be customized according to the treatment and needs of each individual.
For years, people who are on insulin treatment, and especially those with type 1 diabetes, have had a free-to-eat plan. For this, an essential requirement is to learn to adapt the dose of insulin according to the amount of carbohydrate-rich foods and the physical activity they are going to do. This learning is delivered through remedial education, a resource that currently cannot be accessed by all people with diabetes in our country.
3. What is currently considered the best diet for people with diabetes? Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Vegan…?
In recent years, there has been a proliferation of a variety of diets, which have become fashionable with more or less intensity. The basic objective of a diet plan is to ensure the body gets all the nutrients it needs to run our daily lives and maintain a good state of health. The Mediterranean diet has shown benefits to people’s health. When a person wishes to follow a diet that limits certain foods, such as a vegetarian diet, consultation with a nutritionist is recommended. This professional will advise you on how to combine meals and avoid nutritional, mineral or vitamin deficiencies necessary for a healthy life.
4. Are there any foods that increase the risk of diabetes?
It is important to distinguish between the risk of developing type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and cannot be prevented. The causes of this type of diabetes are also not known. However, type 2 diabetes has a genetic component and is closely related to lifestyle. If a person does less physical activity and eats more, he or she will develop obesity. It is an important risk factor for the presence of type 2 diabetes. Eating pastries and sugary drinks on a daily basis would be an unfair habit.
5. Today, are the recommended and prohibited foods for people with diabetes the same as before?
As I said, it is better to limit the consumption of food than to prohibit it. People who were earlier banned are now advised to limit their consumption and take it in small quantities except for special circumstances.
6. What are one and the other?
Foods that should be limited in consumption are pastries, fast food, baked and fried foods, sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages. In a normal eating plan, the amount of foods rich in carbohydrates (legumes, pasta, rice, potatoes or bread) should be measured to avoid a sudden rise or fall in blood sugar.
7. In 2021, does diabetes require special care, but doesn’t it stop you from leading a normal life anymore?
People with diabetes can and should live normal lives. However, they must have daily care. Regarding the diet, they should take care of the amount of carbohydrates. Diabetes requires them to make many daily decisions, especially those who are taking insulin. They should measure their glucose value before each meal, decide the amount of carbohydrate-rich foods they are going to eat, think about whether they are going to do physical activity and, consequently, decide the dose of insulin. Do what they are going to inject. This exercise should be carried out in all the meals they make every day.
8. Although there are more and more people with diabetes, does diet play a role in the increase in the number of people affected by type 2 diabetes?
The lifestyle of common people has deteriorated. A sedentary life and regular consumption of fast food, pastries and other unhealthy foods promote the appearance of obesity and result in type 2 diabetes.
