Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common of diabetes. In this pathology, the body does not produce insulin or does not use it well, and therefore there is too much glucose in the blood that can cause severe problems in the body. The objective of this type of diabetes is to maintain adequate glucose levels in the blood, which is why treatment is as crucial as Diet. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight so a proper diet will help them with both problems. One of the bases of this type of Diet is to count the carbohydrates of the foods ingested to be consumed in their correct measure. If you want to know more about this topic, in this ONsaus article, we show you how the Diet for type 2 diabetes should be.
Table of Contents
What is type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease characterized by an imbalance of insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas and regulates glucose levels in the body, transforming it into energy.
There are three types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes mellitus, also called insulin-dependent, is characterized by the body’s inability to produce insulin. Mellitus type 2 diabetes, also called non-insulin-dependent, is the most common and happens to us. The body does not have enough insulin or does not manage well, and gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common and usually occurs in older or overweight people, although more and more young people suffer. The treatment for this type of diabetes consists of three fundamental pillars: exercising regularly, personalized drug treatment, and following a balanced eating plan. Food is essential in this type of disease. That is why it is necessary to follow a specific kind of Diet. In addition, it is needed to plan meals to measure and weigh quantities and to know what has been eaten each day to alternate and that the Diet is balanced. Type 2 diabetes can cause metabolic disorders that can even lead to cardiovascular disease.
The objective of the Diet is to keep blood sugar at the appropriate levels, and for this, the Diet must be:
- Include foods from all groups.
- Low in calories.
- Carbohydrates at balanced levels.
- Include healthy fats.
It is essential to see a nutritionist or follow the instructions of a doctor to have the best possible Diet. In addition, it is convenient to read the labels of the products you buy to know exactly which ones have more or less sugar or fat. We will see what types of food are recommended and which are not in the following lines.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide energy to the body and therefore do not have to be eliminated from our Diet. However, they give a lot of glucose or sugar in greater quantity than other foods, so you have to be careful.
There are two types of carbohydrates: sugars (table sugar, sweetening fruits …) and starches (rice, legumes, potatoes, corn, cereals, bread …). When planning your Diet, think that you should not go over the other if you eat a lot of one.
There is not an exact amount of carbohydrates that you have to take. However, if you do a lot of exercises, it will be convenient that you take more carbohydrates, for example, bread or cereals, since your body will burn them to a greater extent.
The minimum amounts range between 120 and 130 grams of carbohydrates per day, but you will probably have to eat a much higher amount if you exercise or weigh more. The important thing is maintaining a balanced carbohydrate intake according to your weight, age, physical activity, etc. Therefore, if you do not know precisely how much you should take to be healthy without going overboard, it is best to go to the doctor.
Dairy products
It is best to look for nonfat or skimmed dairy products: the less fat they have, the better. Of course, you must remember that they all have sugar, whether scanned or fat-free, although they are not sugary. Therefore it must be considered when planning meals not to consume too much.
The recommended amount of dairy is about 245 grams per day.
Vegetables and fruits
Fruits and vegetables may seem like very healthy foods, but you have to be careful.
It is best to consume fresh vegetables without sauces or additives. You can cook them, but avoid using oil or salt. Raw vegetables are the best option. Some, like carrots or corn, have a lot of starch, which translates into carbohydrates, so you will have to consider that. Potatoes are not considered a vegetable but pure starch. The recommended amount is 450 to 550 grams per day.
As for fruits, it is advisable to take 240 to 320 grams a day and, like vegetables, the fresher and without added, the better. If you want juice, it better be 100% natural without adding sugar. In the following article, you can see the recommended fruits for people with diabetes.
Grains and cereals
As for grains, the recommended amounts go down due to their portion of starch. It is necessary to take between 85 and 115 grams daily, always in approximate quantities.
We can differentiate between two types, those that are not processed, such as oats, barley, brown rice, or wheat, and those that are refined, such as white flour, white bread, white sugar, etc. The ideal is to take whole grains, which are the ones with the most fiber, which will prevent blood sugar levels from skyrocketing.
Oils and fats
The oil is rich in healthy nutrients for the body, but it is not advisable to abuse fats.
In this Diet for type 2 diabetes, your thing is to eat polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats such as vegetable oils, fish, or nuts. In addition, the oil has many calories, so it is recommended not to exceed 35 milliliters per day, which is about seven small teaspoons of oil, counting the one used for cooking.
Protein
Foods such as some meats or seafood are rich in proteins that are healthy for the body. For example, poultry, eggs, shellfish, or fish. It is good to eat chicken, for example, but the best way to do it is by removing the skin, which is the part that has the most fat, and always cooking it with vegetable oils as we have seen before, and still in small quantities. We should eat 140 to 184 grams a day.
Alcohol and sweets
Alcohol and sweets are not recommended for diabetes due to their high sugar content. It does not mean that you can take one of the two from time to time. However, it is not advisable to go overboard, and it also depends on the person.
It is best to consult with your doctor about the amounts that you should not exceed or that you can take. You can also have some sugar-free desserts.
In the following article, we show you in detail what are the prohibited foods for people with diabetes.
Diet for type 2 diabetes in children
The Diet for type 2 diabetes in children is very similar to that of adults, but it must be taken into account that children need calories to grow. Children with type 2 diabetes are often overweight, and therefore it is recommended that they eat as healthy as possible and get at least one hour of physical exercise a day. Three regular meals with three drinks are enough to cover the calories you need.
If there is a child with type 2 diabetes in the family, the idea is that the rest of the house’s components help him follow this balanced Diet. You do not have to prohibit any food, but you must teach him the amounts he can take of each thing. It is good that all family members stop consuming too many carbonated drinks and start drinking natural juices and less sugary drinks so that the child gets used to it and has some support. This way, it will be easier for him.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Diet for type 2 diabetes, we recommend that you enter our Endocrine System category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.