The Basics Of Nutrition And Diabetes

The Basics Of Nutrition And Diabetes: The single most important thing that one can do when faced with type 2 diabetes is to control your diet. While glucose levels are the primary concern that diabetics face, it is also necessary to treat other aspects of the disease with diet. For example, diabetes can lead to high acidity levels in the blood, so it is necessary to eat foods that contain alkaline compounds that will mitigate the acidity. Also, since many pancreatic digestive enzymes are not produced in abundance by diabetics, it is important to supplement these natural enzymes with sources in your diet. Mild forms of diabetes can be controlled completely with proper attention to diet and exercise and it can be possible to slow the advance of the disease by following a few simple dietary rules.
Contrary to popular opinion, it is not necessary to eat a bland, tasteless diet to effectively control and treat type 2 diabetes. Many of your favorite foods can still be enjoyed on a controlled diet, though changes may have to be made to some ingredients and, of course, moderation must be strictly enforced. There are a few basic rules that diabetics should follow to ensure that their diet stays within the required limits.
The first rule of good diabetic eating is to remain vigilantly aware of everything that goes into the foods that you eat. Many prepared foods will have hidden carbohydrates that you must carefully research on the label. Remember that much of what you eat can be converted into sugar by your body, so vigilance is key.

A Natural Way To Control Diabetes

Many diabetics are now seeking to control their ailment through holistic methods. Natural herbal and vitamin remedies are replacing traditional therapy, and have consistently produced amazing effects. For centuries, herbal concoctions have had the ability to restore an otherwise lost balance to the body, rendering it possible to rely on its own healing capacity. Diabetics who partake in a regular regimen of herbs and vitamins have reported an improvement in their overall well-being. However, in combination with these natural remedies, patients need to carefully monitor blood sugar levels to assure that their disease is stabilized.
Herbal Remedies Can Play a Huge Role in Diabetes Management
There is a wide variety of herbal supplements that can be used in addition to healthy diabetic diet and lifestyle. Ongoing research and clinical trials have shown the positive effects that herbs and vitamins have on a typical diabetes patient, in addition to, a significant decrease in risks and complications. Although blood sugar levels are best regulated by a combination of both herbs and vitamins, taking each substance singularly has shown great improvement in diabetics as well.
The following herbs and vitamins have proven to be beneficial in the fight against diabetes:
Used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes, Asian Ginseng or Ginseng has been proven to produce a blood sugar lowering effect by heightening the release of insulin from the pancreas. Ginseng can also strengthen the immune system, as well as, lower blood pressure. This herb can be added to food or taken as a supplement.


Bilberry can lessen the risks of diabetic complications, primarily eye problems such as retinopathy and cataracts.
A traditional method used to treat diabetes, Stevia can have favorable effects on glucose tolerance. Referred to as “sweet leaf” or “sugar leaf,” Stevia is renowned for its sweet taste. In Japan, this herb is widely marketed as a sweetener and an alternative to sugar.
Cassia or Cinnamon has been proven to significantly lower blood glucose levels. Commonly used in cooking, Cinnamon can often be found in Chinese food.
Proven in clinical tests to stimulate insulin from the pancreas, Fenugreek has also been noted to lower blood sugar levels. Fenugreek seeds can be used as a spice, while the leaves are usually used as a herb. Fenugreek can also be consumed as a supplement.
Gymnema Sylvestre is an Ayuvedic herbal remedy that can assist Type II diabetics with insulin production. Gymnema has also been known to lower blood sugar in Type I and II diabetes.
The blood sugar lowering effect of Bitter Melon has been widely accepted as a herbal remedy for diabetes. The freshly squeezed juice or pulp of this unripe fruit has shown positive effects in Type I and II. Beware of over consumption, however. Too much of this juice can lead to stomach pain and diarrhea.
Aloe Vera, also known as “the healing herb,” is a traditional method used to treat diabetes. The sap and gel extracted from a dried aloe vera can assist in lowering fasting blood glucose levels.
There are also a number of vitamins that are used in the control and management of Type I and II diabetes. Vitamins C and E keep the kidneys healthy, and prevent further damage. Taken with Folic Acid, Vitamin B-6 assists in the prevention of nerve damage, and loss of limbs due to disease complications. Both Magnesium and Zinc relieve neuropathic discomfort, as well as, assist in the effectiveness of insulin. The frequency of consumption of both herbs and vitamins should be listed on the packaging and bottle. It is common practice for most herbal remedies to be taken at least two times per day. To truly determine how many times daily a herb can be used, it is advised to consult with your physician.
Together, you can devise a plan to effectively combat symptoms and complications of your particular case.

Eating Out When You Have Diabetes

Eating Out When You Have Diabetes: Who doesn’t like eating out? In today’s world sometimes eating out has become a necessity since most people just don’t have time to cook anymore. What happens though when you have diabetes and are afraid of eating out? This happens to some people and they are afraid of going out to eat because they don’t know exactly what to order that will not spike up their glucose level.
It doesn’t have to be like that and it really shouldn’t. Diabetics should be able to go out and enjoy a nice restaurant without worrying about what they should or shouldn’t eat. First of all, check your blood sugar level before eating and insure you’re giving yourself enough insulin for your carb intake.
Order a small proportioned meal. Many diabetics find themselves ordering from the side order menus because that is what they prefer since they come in smaller amounts. Other diabetics choose to order from the child’s menu because they are sure to find less there. No matter what you order though you should always make sure you are eating in small portioned amounts even if that means taking some home with you in a doggy bag.

Sometimes you go to a restaurant that has sandwiches and burgers which normally comes with fries. If this happens, just order some fruit or salad instead since fries are least healthy for those who have diabetes. If you have gone into a Mexican restaurant it might be better to ask for some salsa on your burrito or taco instead of something like sour cream or even cheese. Stick with ketchup, fat-free mayo, barbeque sauce or mustard rather then house dressings of any kind. Since most dressings can be full of sugars.
It would be most helpful to diabetics if they made a place for them on their menus and I believe restaurants would get far more recognition for it. They should research diabetes and find out what foods are best and offer them. Some people don’t want a lot of people to know about their diabetes; therefore placing the diabetic menu on the regular menu would prove quite useful and just might bring more service to a restaurant.
Some diabetics will ask to speak to the chef just to make sure they are on the same level as them and ask about skinning chicken and using less butter, low cholesterol eggs and whole-grain breads. Food is not all that should be of worry though, also watch what you drink. Calories equal problems with diabetes, so no ice cream drinks or milk shakes. Stick with water, un-sweetened tea, mineral water or just plain water instead. Sodas and some juices have far too much sugar to even drink therefore these can end up spiking your glucose levels.
Be sure that if you do go out to eat, that you are eating at the time you are supposed to. Order a salad if you have to so that you can keep your blood sugar level exactly where it is supposed to be.

New Links Connecting Diabetes and Fast Food

What is true in the United States seems to be true of many other nations when it comes to diabetes. When the population as a whole gains weight the instances of diabetes increases. Research in one Asian country seems to blame western fast food for the dramatic rise in diabetes.
Australia’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research conducted the study in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The BBC reported that, “about 11% of men and 12% of women… had undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.” This didn’t count the 4% who had already been confirmed as having diabetes.
Professor Tuan Nguyen of the Garvan Institute told the BBC, “Dietary patterns have been changing dramatically in Vietnam in recent years, particularly in the cities as they become more Westernized.”

 It seems that studies in various other Asian countries point to the potential of fast food and a change in lifestyle as the predominant reason for the spread of diabetes.
I suppose the greatest difficulty for leaders of any country is that food is the one area that can be hard to police and may be viewed as a harsh and unusual form of control. Many choose fast food for convenience while other choose it for taste. In all cases it is a sense of freedom that predicates the choice of what food is ultimately consumed.