When you are diagnosed with diabetes you may think that your diet has to change completely. The truth is that you can still enjoy your favourite foods so long as they are part of a generally balanced and healthy diet. Here are some tips to make sure you have a balanced diet each day.

When cooking you should bear in mind the fact that foods are divided into five groups, which need to all be included in our daily eating habits. A diabetic diet is the same sort of balanced diet that everyone is recommended to eat, where it should be lower in fat, salt and sugar and higher in fruit and vegetables.

As part of maintaining a balanced diet you may have heard of ‘portions’ of the main food groups. It is recommended that we eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and this usually means about a handful’s amount of the food. Of course, each of us is different and as such will need different sized meals to keep us healthy. However, it is always a good rule to follow that excess fats should be cut out whenever possible, and this may include reducing the portion of one food in the meal (such as the meat) and increasing the size of the vegetables to make up for it.

You will also need to make sure that you eat regular meals, and don’t skip meals such as breakfast. This will help diabetics to help control their blood glucose levels as well as maintaining a healthy appetite.

willyboy
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/balancing-your-diet-when-your-diabetic-how-to-cope-with-diabetes-by-using-the-right-recipes-708319.html

You should eat to your meter. Buy a blood glucose meter if you have not got one already. Log everything that you eat. Test 2 hours after eating. If you are under 140mg/7.8 mm/ol, then you are OK. If you are above this target, then you need to look at what you ate. Either reduce the portion, or cut it out entirely.

Everyone’s body is different. Only by testing will you find patterns that are right for YOU, and only by testing will you know how much carb you can eat. Note too that the amount of carb you can tolerate might be different depending on the time of the day (most people are more insulin resistant in the morning), the time of the month if you are female, stress, and exercise.

As to your unique challenges living in Vietnam:

I think this will be challenging. I love Vietnam and my favourite cuisine in the world is Vietnamese. BUT Vietnamese cuisine is extremely high in carbs. And diabetics cannot metabolize carbohydrate! In particular, Type 2 on diet/exercise therapy really do need to watch their carbohydrate intake. That’s going to be really difficult living anywhere in Asia.

You will find that the standard servings of rice and pho will almost certainly be too high in carbs for you to tolerate. (As measured by your post-meal readings of blood sugar.) And because carbs as a staple are ingrained in local culture, you might find it hard to eat in a way that is more blood sugar friendly.

Here’s how I adapt my Vietnamese dishes to make them diabetes-friendly:

- Pho : I don’t eat any of the rice noodles. I just have the soup, the meat and all the raw vegetables and herbs I can stuff into the bowl.

- Bun dishes : I only eat the meat part. I ask them to leave out the rice vermicelli and just have the meat with the vegetables and some of the sauce. The sauce has some sugar in it, but not as much sugar as in the rice vermicelli!

- Rice dishes : I eat them without rice. Yes, that gets me strange looks in Vietnamese restaurants, but I can’t eat rice and keep within blood sugar targets.

How much fruit can you eat? Test your blood sugar 2 hours after eating to find out.

Calories? Don’t count calories. Diabetes is not about calories, it’s about carbs. Learn how to count carbs.

Finally, you might have problems looking for information online because most of the information is tailored towards people living in Western countries and eating a Western-style diet. But you will never go wrong by trusting the data you get from your blood glucose meter. Your blood glucose meter will be your best friend. It will never lie to you

Doctors have always asked themselves why some people develop diabetes and some not, and so, by studying, they have discovered that there are some factors that interfere with the installation of diabetes.

The most important factor is heredity. If you have a family history of diabetes it is highly probable for you to develop this affection someday. There is a gene responsible for all this, especially for the Type II transmission. But you do not need to worry because nowadays there are many easy to apply home measurements, and you can live a normal life.

Another factor is the inappropriate diet. If you eat too much sugar, proteins, fats and refined carbohydrates, which transform into sugar, you can unleash the diabetes. Studies have shown that in the poor countries, people are not affected of diabetes in such a large number because they do not overeat. The most dangerous stuff is: biscuits, chocolate, bread, cookies, candies, pudding and ice-cream.

Obesity is a trigger for diabetes and in US, 60 to 85% of the diabetics are known as overweight. If there is too much fat, the insulin will not be able to allow the sugar in the blood to enter the muscle and tissue cells and so, the blood sugar level will be high.

By losing weight one can improve the blood sugar level having to bare only a mild form of diabetes.

People who have suffered a great loss, who are worried, stressed and unhappy, who have problems in their marriage or in their business tend to develop diabetes because all these factors have an enormous impact on the human metabolism causing sugar to appear in the urine.

If you smoke, it is best for you to give up. Studies have shown that especially women who smoke 25 or more than 25 cigarettes a day have a greater risk of developing diabetes, by 40% more than those who are nonsmokers.

It is recommended to follow an active lifestyle because you lose weight, you transform sugar into energy and you sensitize your muscle and tissue cells to insulin, and the pancreas does not have to work so much any more.

Therefore, by controlling your weight, your diet and giving up smoking you can easily control diabetes and live a healthy normal life.

For more information about diabetes, diet, treatment and causes, visit: http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com

So, if you want to find out more about diabetes treatment or even about type 1 diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-are-the-causes-of-diabetes-88852.html

There have been several factors in the cause of diabetes type 2, but none are definitive. Some studies indicate heredity, obesity, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Also, there are insulin abnormalities that can be the cause of diabetes type 2.

Insulin Abnormalities-
Muscle cells can become resistant to insulin which make excessive insulin to compensate for the resistance. What then happens is a drop in insulin production.

Obesity-
Too much body fat causes the body to work harder to make insulin. Extra sugar is stored in the body as fat, which makes losing weight harder.

Heredity-
Having a sibling or parent who has diabetes means that your are more likely to develop diabetes.

Age-
Nearly 20% of adults over the age of 65 commonly have diabetes type 2.

What Causes Diabetes

Now the main cause of diabetes is currently obesity and with 30% of the USA clinically obese it is no wonder that 24 million people suffer from diabetes in the USA alone. As you can see diabetes is a growing illness and with more and more people being diagnosed with diabetes it is important that you know what the main causes of diabetes are.

A second important cause of diabetes is diabetes being inherited through the bloodlines. A major cause of diabetes which is brought down through generations, however it does not mean that if your father or gran father has diabetes that you will also be diagnosed with diabetes merely that you are at a higher risk. Therefore you should watch out more for the symptoms of diabetes.

To ensure that you are at a lower risk of being diagnosed with diabetes you need to have a healthy and balanced diet of protein, fibre, carbohydrates and a low percentage of fats. Exercise is another great way of not only staying healthy but decreasing the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. Regular exercise 3-5 times a week will not only keep your heart rate and blood levels in the right places but also ensure you are maintaining your body and reducing the risk of diabetes.

Treatment

1. Reduce the levels of carbohydrates

Chose carbohydrates with a lower glycemic index. That is, carbohydrates that converts into blood glucose relatively slower. More companies are now supplying information on glycemic index. Kicking out the sweets, biscuits and cakes and substituting with appropriate fruits and vegetables would certainly be a step in the right direction.

Eat more regular and smaller carbohydrate or food portions throughout the day instead of having “one-off ” large main meals. This keeps your insulin levels lower.

2. Increase fat levels

There are many misconceptions about fat intake. Much of it is caused by deception from companies with their clever advertising and marketing methods of selling cheap and nasty health threatening fats and oils. A selection of margarines, deep-fried foods and cheap and nasty oils such as rapeseed, canola, soy and cottonseed oils are examples. Trans-fats should be avoided. Consumers may be totally unaware of the damage these fats and oils can do to the body.

Good fats help to promote the mechanism by which the body’s cells take up glucose from the blood. Learn to discern these from the nasty ones. They include naturally occurring fats like omega-3 fatty acids, flax seed oils and fish oils…

Rich jammes

Diabetes is an affection that prevents the human body from using insulin in transforming the glucose from the blood, leading to an accumulation of glucose in the blood, also known as a high sugar level in the blood.

As a consequence of diabetes, the human body is unable to transform food into energy, and so, it develops other problems involving the heart, the eyes (leading to a blurred vision), and even blood clotting which is very dangerous because it can get you to a cerebral vascular accident (stroke).

By a recent estimate, in the US are known to be 17 million people suffering by diabetes, leading to the conclusion that diabetes is quite a common disease.

Nowadays, people affected by diabetes can use many home remedies to improve their living and to keep their blood sugar levels constant, leading to controlling the diabetes.

People suffering of diabetes are known as owners of a weakened immune system, causing them a lot of inconveniences, such as planter warts.

Planter warts are caused by the attack of a virus called The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and they occur on the sole of the foot. Also, due to this weakened immune system, the planter warts will not cure so easily.

The doctor will inform the person affected by diabetes that this illness can not be cured, but it can be held under control by keeping the sugar lever in the blood within a limit. So, the patient will follow an appropriate diet, will self monitor his blood sugar concentration and will follow an active lifestyle.

Another solution to become insulin independent it to have a kidney-pancreas transplant, but this is costly and risky and not most people will opt for this.

Nowadays, researchers try to find a remedy for diabetes using stem cells, but their solution is not ready to be applied on humans yet.

One of the most reliable methods to control diabetes is to keep a proper diet. Patients with diabetes type I should eat 35 calories/kg of body weight daily, equalizing to 16 calories/ pound/ day. Patients with diabetes type II can eat 1500-1800 calories/day and even more if they are obese.

Carbohydrates are very important, because they keep the blood sugar levels low, and so, they should represent 50% of the daily calories.

Another effective home remedy is the bitter gourd, also known as Karela. One tablespoon of Karela juice/day can amazingly lower your blood sugar level, but it does not taste too good. A tablespoon of Amla juice taken daily for two months can stimulate your pancreas to secrete insulin. The leaves of Butea tree are also effective.

Another popular remedy is: ten Tulsi leaves, ten Belpatras and ten Neem leaves, with a glass of water taken on an empty stomach.

People suffering of diabetes must follow an active lifestyle. Doctors recommend 30 minutes of exercises daily and a supplement of vitamins and minerals.

One of the most important things in trying to control the diabetes is the support of the family and friends during the first weeks of the new adjustments in the patient’s life.

So, if you want to find out more about type 1 diabetes or even about symptoms of diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/do-not-let-diabetes-control-you-87696.html

Diabetes is a growing health problem in the world today. Did you know that approximately 20.8 million children and adults are diagnosed with diabetes in the United States alone? These numbers are growing every day. The exact cause of diabetes is not clear, however, lack of exercise and obesity are huge factors in the development of diabetes. This article will give some general information about diabetes.

Glucose is considered the body’s fuel. We get glucose from the foods that we eat. It is not just sugar alone that is converted into glucose, but also starches and carbohydrates are chemically broken down into glucose. Without glucose your body would not function. All muscles and major organs in your body need glucose. But how does the glucose get to the proper destinations?

Insulin is the hormone that distributes the glucose to the liver, fat cells and muscles. A diabetic does not produce enough insulin or for some reason, his body is not able to process it effectively. When this happens the glucose stays in the blood and produces high blood sugar.

Diabetes can be classified into the following three types:

Type 1 Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes the body produces little or no insulin and daily injections of insulin are necessary to sustain life. This type is usually present from childhood and is also called insulin dependent diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

It is the more common type of diabetes and usually develops in adulthood. With type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to effectively use the insulin produced. Most type 2 diabetics are managed by diet and oral medications.

Gestational Diabetes.

This type develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth of the baby.

It is important to know the risks factor of diabetes. One of the biggest risks factors is a family history. If you have a parent or sibling with diabetes, your chances of developing diabetes are very good. Also being over 45 years of age, being obese, having poor eating habits or being of African American or Native American descent can increase your chance of becoming a diabetic.

If you have any of the above risk factors, be aware of the warning signs of diabetes. Contact you doctor if you have any of these signs and symptoms:

- Increased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Slow healing cuts or infections
- Increased amount of infections
- Blurry vision

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, treatment will usually involve diet changes and oral medications. In more severe cases, insulin injections may be prescribed.

Diabetes is manageable if the proper treatment regimen is followed. Talk with your doctor and a good diabetic educator. Have your doctor set you up an appointment with a registered dietician. She can show you what you can and cannot eat on a diabetic diet. Check your blood sugar levels frequently. Educate yourself about all the treatment options out there. Lose weight and become more active. Getting a diagnosis of diabetes is no reason to stop living.

Jeff Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/introduction-to-diabetes-126238.html

After eating, the food we eat is broken down into sugar (glucose) through the process of digestion. This sugar then enters the bloodstream so that it can be delivered throughout the body, where it is called blood sugar. Insulin, which helps metabolize blood sugar and is made in the pancreas, takes blood sugar from the bloodstream and delivers it into the body’s cells. This sugar provides energy to the cells in organs such as our heart, lungs, and kidneys, which help function properly.

Type 1 diabetes, also called insulin-dependant or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the pancreas no longer makes insulin. This is because the immune system becomes confused and begins attacking and destroying the cells in the pancreas that produce the insulin. Instead of going into the cells where it is needed, the sugar stays in the blood. Often beginning in childhood, people with Type 1 diabetes have to take a least one shot of insulin each day in order to stay alive.

The most common kind of diabetes, which often starts in overweight adults with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, is Type 2 diabetes. Although the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin in Type 2 diabetes, the body does not use the insulin effectively. In this type of diabetes, the cells do not respond to the insulin’s attempt to enter with glucose, so in turn, the pancreas produces more and more insulin. Because the cells do not respond, high levels of glucose build up in the blood, causing Type 2 diabetes. Once the pancreas senses that the insulin isn’t needed, it eventually stops making it. People with Type 2 diabetes often need to take prescription drugs to lower there blood sugar levels.

In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the sugar stays in the bloodstream rather than going into the cells where it is needed. After it builds up in the blood, it causes the cells to be starved for energy and, after a long time, damage to the blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. Type 1 diabetes, which develops very quickly, can be recognized by symptoms including: frequent urination, intense thirst, increased hunger, and weight loss. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops very gradually without any symptoms at all. Unfortunately, Type 2 diabetes is usually only diagnosed after the occurrence of a complication, such as circulation problems, nerve damage, eye problems, or kidney damage.

All of these complications are caused by high blood sugar levels; however, most of them can be prevented. The longer these blood sugar levels are elevated, the greater the risk for having complications is. Because high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, they eventually become thicker and less flexible. This causes poor circulation which can complicate healing. These high blood sugar levels also cause higher levels of fat in the bloodstream, which clogs and narrows blood vessels. This partial blockage will deprive the heart of necessary nutrients, resulting in a heart attack, heart pain, or a stroke. Because high blood sugars can cause nerve damage, a person with Type 2 diabetes may lose feeling in parts of their body or have a painful pins-and-needles-like feeling. Diabetes can also damage and weaken blood vessels in the retina, which causes them to leak fluid, resulting in a swelling in the eye, which will blur vision. Since the blood vessels are so fragile, they can break open and bleed into the eye, which will cause scar tissue to form, along with the possibility of the retina to break away from the back of the eye, resulting in visual impairment, or even blindness. The blood vessels in the kidneys can also be damaged, preventing it from filtering out the body’s waste. The longer the blood sugar levels are left uncontrolled, the greater the amount of kidney damage that can occur. If the kidney damage isn’t stopped, a kidney transplant or dialysis machine may eventually be needed.

All of these complications can be prevented through vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements, which keep people with diabetes healthy and provide powerful tools that prevent the serious complications from occurring. The most helpful nutritional supplement should contain powerful vitamins, minerals, and herbs in a synergistic formula that can lower blood sugars effectively and provide nutrients which people with diabetes need. The supplement should be taken twice a day in addition to a high quality multivitamin. Because a diabetic formula is complementary, it means it should be taken in addition to your multivitamin, not as a replacement.

Since diabetes is a disease that requires active participation, you must be aware of your problem and be in control of it as much as possible. If you use a home glucose monitor to check your blood sugars, you may feel more comfortable checking your glucose levels more often when you first begin the diabetic formula supplement. However, you should always follow your doctor’s recommendation as to how often you should check your blood sugar levels. According to most licensed health care practitioners, a good blood sugar range for most people with diabetes before a meal is from about 70-150, ideally between 70 and 120. By taking a supplement formulated especially for diabetics, your blood sugars should be right where they are recommended. Successful diabetes management means doing lost of positive things, among these include visiting your licensed health care practitioner often, choosing foods wisely and staying active, and taking a diabetic formula supplement, but remember, this diabetic formula supplement is meant to be an addition to a healthy diet, not a substitute.

Darrell Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-is-diabetes-and-how-can-you-control-it-83009.html

Okinawa diet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_diet)

Plant based (Vegetarianism or Vegan)

Paleo diet is probably your best bet, but consider also that lack of grains, legumes and dairy products can cause you to be short on vitamins and minerals. Early American Colonists, who mostly lived off the paleo style diet had chronic issues with malnutrition, even though they had plenty of food. It wasn’t until the 1700s, when they again had grain and some dairy that these issues were controlled.

American indians didn’t have the same issues due to long term adaptation.

Poster Tabea, you really need to get over your issues. Pre-diabetes is recognized whether you like it or not. It has certain qualifiers, just like a diagnosis of diabetes. Can you live on no carbs at all? Yes, but not very long without constant medical attention. That is why epileptics who try that special no carb diet have to be constantly monitored or they risk dying of malnutrition.

Brewer’s Yeast: Brewer’s yeast is a wonder food. It is rich in traces of mineral chromium. This mineral helps the pancreas produce more insulin. It is one of the best supports for normal handling of sugar by the body. According to an article by Dr. Richard J. Doisy and others, which appeared in the Medical World News, Brewer’s yeast has lowered the insulin requirements of many diabetes patients.

Broccoli: Broccoli, a close relation of the cauliflower, has long been a popular food in Europe. This vegetable has proved to be an effective anti-diabetic food. It is rich source of chromium, a trace mineral that seems to lower blood sugar. This trace mineral regulates blood sugar, thereby often reducing the medication and insulin needs of diabetes. In cases of mild diabetes, chromium may prevent the onset of the full-fledged disease. If a person’s glucose tolerance is on border, chromium can help control it. Even low blood sugar levels can be brought to normal with chromium.

Curd: Curd injects friendly bacteria in to the digestive system that stimulate the pancreas. It also washes the pancreas of its acids and wastes. These cleansing actions enable the pancreas to perform much better and thereby help in the production of insulin.

Garlic: In scientific trials garlic and its constituents have been found to lower blood sugar in diabetes. This vegetable is rich in potassium, which effectively replaces the large quantities of potassium lost in the urine of diabetics. It also contains zinc and sulphur, which are constituents of insulin. Some authorities believe that low levels of zinc may be one of the factors responsible for the onset of diabetes. Garlic also contains manganese, a deficiency of which can contribute towards diabetes.

Garlic constituents appear to act by blocking the inactivation of insulin in the liver. The result is higher blood insulin levels and lower blood sugar.

Garlic has other benefits for diabetes besides lowering blood sugar. It prevents arteriosclerosis, which is a common complication of diabetes and relieves body paid. Diabetics can take the equivalent of one or two cloves of garlic a day in any form they like, either raw or cooked in food or as capsules. Garlic milk, prepared by adding four cloves of crushed garlic to 110 ml of milk, is one good way of taking garlic. The best way, however, is to chew raw garlic thoroughly first thing in the morning.

Bengal Gram: Bengal gram, also known as chickpea, is a widely used important component of Indian diet. It is a valuable anti-diabetic food. Experiments have shown that the oral ingestion of the water extract of Bengal gram increases the utilization of glucose in diabetics as well as normal people. In a study conducted at Central Food Technological Research Institute in Mysore, the requirement of insulin of chronic diabetes patients decreased from 40 units a day to 20 units, when kept on a diet which included liberal supplements of Bengal gram extract.

Diabetic patients who are on a restricted diet, which does not severely limit the intake of carbohydrates but includes liberal amounts of Bengal gram extract, have shown considerable improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar and general condition.

Bitter Gourd: The bitter gourd is a common vegetable cultivated extensively. It has excellent medicinal virtues. This vegetable has been used as fold medicine for diabetes from ancient times. Research has established that it contains insulin like principle designated as plant-insulin, which has been found beneficial in lowering blood and urine sugar levels.

Bitter gourd is thus and effective anti-diabetic food and should be included liberally in the diet of a diabetic. Juice of three or four bitter gourds taken every morning on an empty stomach has been found more effective than eating fruits. The seeds of bitter gourd can be powdered and added to regular meals. A decoction prepared by boiling chopped bitter gourd is water is equally effective, as is its dry powder mixed with liquid foods.

Bitter gourd is rich in all essential vitamins and minerals especially vitamins A, B1, B2, C and iron. Its regular use, therefore, prevents many complications associated with diabetes including hypertension, eye complications, neuritis and the defective metabolism of carbohydrates.

Black Gram: Black gram is a highly prized pulse in India. It is an anti diabetic food. Germinated black gram taken with half a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice, forms and effective remedy for treating mild types of diabetes. It should be taken once a day, for three to four months, with a restricted intake of carbohydrates.

In severe diabetes, regular use of this combination is an effective complement to other treatments. It is also a useful health food for preventing complications due to malnutrition in diabetes. Milk prepared by grinding sprouted whole black gram is also recommended for diabetics.

Groundnut: Groundnuts are valuable in diabetes. Eating a handful of groundnuts daily by diabetics will not only prevent malnutrition, particularly the deficiency of niacin, but also checks the development of vascular complications.

Find complete diabetes information, diabetes supply, diabetes treatment, diabetes diet, diabetes causes, diabetes types. More on Diabetes Mellitus Information and Treatment Supply. Also see Natural Ayurvedic Herbal Cure for Diabetes.

Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/recommended-foods-for-diabetes-61198.html

A low carbohydrate diet cum avoidance of sugar can help to control the damaging effects of diabetes. However, there are many scientific studies pointing to the positive influence of supplements in combating diabetes and many vitamins have been found to assist in controlling the downward effects of diabetes.

A new study found the positive impact of Vitamin A 10,000 IU in helping to increase the metabolism of glucose. The vitamin allows the body to use insulin effectively in moving glucose from blood to the cells.
High blood glucose is known to cause tissue damage and the degree of this harm can be measured by the test for glycosylated haemoglobin. The use of pyridoxine has been found to reduce the cellular damage to the cells. The supplement has also been found to fight eye damage, vision loss as well as assisting in blood glucose metabolism. Better glucose control will definitely contribute to the protection of our vascular health.

 People with diabetes are prone to blot clots due to high blood glucose content. Research on Vitamin E found that its use has an anti clotting action. Diabetic complications are greatly diminished by taking a daily supplement of Vitamin E. It also lowers insulin and this will go a long way to reduce the excessive insulin effect on the body.

The mineral zinc also stabilizes blood glucose. It helps the pancreas to produce insulin and also assist to protect the cell receptor sites that allow insulin to enter.

Fish oil is good in diabetes because it protects the cardiovascular danger that triglycerides have on people with diabetes. Fish oil also increases the arterial flexibility to prevent plague buildup leading to the hardening of arteries.

Evening primrose oil which contains gamma linolenic acid ( GLA ) is a must in diabetes because it can halt the nerve damage caused by diabetes. GLA helps the nerve to heal. The problem is that people with diabetes cannot make GLA from dietary fats. Without GLA, they cannot manufacture prostaglandin E1 which is the body’s superstar for the protection against disorders including premature aging, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, and autoimmune diseases.

FREE INFORMATION: Diabetes Control 

If you want to get further information on healthy living, go to Healthy Lifestyle.

mohamad ali