Diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body uses food for energy. Human bodies are composed of cells and cells need glucose. Glucose is sugar and sugar is used for energy. The body changes some food into glucose during digestion. Cells need insulin. Insulin is a hormone made in pancreas and used to help let glucose to the cells.
In people and elderly with diabetes, this process doesn’t work properly. Food is changed into glucose, but a problem with the insulin prevents glucose from entering the cells. Glucose begins to collect in the blood.
The 2 main types of diabetes are Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes – means the body makes little or no insulin
Type 2 Diabetes – means the body still makes some insulin, but the cells can’t use it effectively. Over 90% of people with diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes.
Diabetes if left untreated can cause serious problems, including blindness, heart disease and kidney disease. There’s no cure for diabetes but diabetes can be controlled through diet, exercise and medication.
Good food is the key to controlling your diabetes and to good health. Proper diet can reduce the risk of long-term health problems.
Eating right helps control blood glucose levels. Many people with Type 2 Diabetes can manage their condition with proper diet and exercise.
Try to maintain a healthy weight. This helps your body make and use insulin more effectively. Here’s a few general guidelines:
- Limit protein to 10-20% of daily calories
- Limit fat to 30% of calories or less (less than 10% from saturated fat and no more than 10% from polyunsaturated fat).
- Limit cholesterol to 300mg or less per day.
- Eat more fiber – 20-35 g per day
- Limit sodium to 2,400 – 3,000 mg per day
- Be careful with alcohol – it can lower your your blood glucose level dangerously
Plan your meals using the exchange system. It can help you control your blood sugar and lose weight.
The exchange system groups similar foods are foods in an exchange group that have about the same amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat and calories. It’s important to eat a variety of foods from each group. Foods in the same group can be swapped. For example, you can exchange 1/3 cups rice or 1/2 cup mashed potatoes for a slice of bread.
Eat the right amount. Eat the recommended amount of food each day – not too little or too much. Measure portions carefully until you can estimate accurately. Check your estimates every 6 months to make sure portions are not growing. Record what you eat. A journal or diary can help you keep track on how many exchanges you’ve eaten.
Meet with a dietitian. Work with your dietitian. Ask for other foods and recipes and ask your dietitian to help determine the exchanges. A dietitian can help you design a meal plan that’s right for you. Review your meal plan regularly. Changes in your weight and health can mean changes in your diet.
Here’s a few guidelines for managing diabetes with diet and nutrition:
- Eat regularly. Try to eat meals about the same time each day. The type and amount of food eaten for each meal should be about the same from one day to the next.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight makes it hard for your body to use insulin effectively. If you need to lose weight, work with your health care provider or dietitian to develop a weight-loss program based on your sex, height, weight and activity level
- Lose weight slowly. Aim to lose 1-2 pounds per week. Eat at least 1,200 calories a day to make sure you get all the nutrients your body needs.
- Plan for sick days. Being sick makes diabetes harder to control. Keep regular soft drinks, sweetened gelatin, sherbet and fruit juices on hand for days when you can’t eat solid foods. Drink plenty of fluids.
Good Nutrition and exercise go hand in hand. Consider the following:
- Talk to your health care provider. Exercise can help lower blood glucose levels. Bu there may be risks for some people with diabetes. Work with your health care provider to develop an exercise plan that’s right for you.
- Start slowly. Start with moderate activities such as walking or easy biking. Be active for at least 30 minutes on most, preferably all days of the week. Gradually, you can include more vigorous exercise such as jogging, running or rowing. Aim to do vigorous exercises for 20-60 minutes, 3-5 times a week.
- Balance exercise with diet. In general, it’s best to exercise 1-2 hours after meals, when blood glucose levels are the highest. Eat a snack before exercising, if appropriate.
- Take special care of your feet. Foot problems are a common complication of diabetes, so take care. Wear supportive shoes that fit properly. Wear clean socks.
Right Accord is dedicated in keeping you at home with certified home health aides, certified nursing assistants, homemakers and companions who can assist elderly with activities of daily living including meal preparation. Caregivers are trained to prepare special diet prescribed for the elderly. Please call for a free care assessment by a registered nurse at (941) 366-0801.
We provide services in Sarasota and Manatee Counties including neighboring areas such as Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Nokomis, Osprey, Venice and Bird Key.
Tags: caregivers, Casey Key, elderly nutrition, home health aides, longboat key, meal preparation, sarasota, seniors, venice
