Creating a healthy diabetes diet
Diabetes is a disease which affects the body’s ability to produce or respond normally to a hormone called insulin. This results in an abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to health complications like blindness, amputations, kidney disease, and heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 100 million American adults have diabetes or prediabetes and more are being diagnosed every day.
Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best ways to help control diabetes or prediabetes. Eating a balanced diet full of a wide variety of healthy foods can help keep blood glucose levels in a normal range. Eating these foods at regularly spaced intervals can help your body utilize the insulin your body produces and/or the insulin you have been prescribed more efficiently.
Some recommended diabetes-friendly foods are healthy and fiber-rich carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes like beans and lentils. Also, good fats such as avocados, olives, and plant-based oils can help lower your cholesterol which can mitigate the risk of developing heart disease in addition to diabetes. Some foods to avoid are foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium like processed meats, processed snacks, baked goods, shortening, and margarine. It is also best to avoid high-fat foods like high-fat animal proteins and organ meats.
Adopting a healthy well-balanced diet can go a long way in helping you take back some control over your health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to a long and active life free from the complications commonly associated with diabetes.
Brought to you by the Eldercare Council of Warren-Forest Counties.
Lindsay Bevevino is Director of Admissions at Kinzua Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
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