DIABETES DIET

This diet is required if you have any of the following conditions:

• Pre-diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes or

• Type 2 diabetes

• Gestational diabetes

• Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)

• Stress induced diabetes

Elevated blood sugar can adversely affect several organs of the body. This includes brain, eyes, heart, nerves, intestinal tract, kidneys and nerves of upper and lower limbs

The damage caused to these organs may get irreversible with time; for example, once diabetes affects the kidneys the damage is irreversible

Correct nutrition guidance is essential to maintain these organs healthy

Once your blood sugar is controlled through an appropriate diet and exercise schedule, you can delay the complications that may arise from it

Your Nutritionist can provide you diabetes friendly meal options, festival special food options as well as tips for lifestyle modifications

This diet has high chances of reversing pre-diabetes when the level compliance is good

With correct nutrition regime, several researches have stated that one can expect a significant drop in HbA1c (i.e. glycosylated hemoglobin-which is an average of blood sugar of 3 months)

Indians usually consume far more carbohydrates than required in daily routine

When these carbohydrates are refined (maida based); they increase blood sugars

So the major change from a general diet to a diet for diabetes control is the avoidance of maida. This involves avoiding biscuits, breads, donuts, pizza, pasta, noodles, etc

On the other hand, it is also important to replace refined carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates which include whole grains like oats, barley, quinoa, whole wheat and millets

Along with cutting down refined carbohydrates, it is also essential to add more proteins to the diet

A diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, no added sugar, no refined carbs, high in proteins, low is saturated fats is the key for diabetes control