Diabetes Diet and Food Tips

Type 1 diabetes and nutrition

Type 1 diabetes, which used to be called insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the body fails to produce insulin, the hormone required for controlling blood sugar levels. People with type 1 diabetes require regular insulin injections to correct this. All type 1 diabetes patients should have access to a qualified dietitian, as diet is an important part of their clinical care. Type 1 diabetes usually affects young people, often in childhood, and is the least common of the two forms of diabetes accounting for between five to 15 per cent of all people with this disease.

Type 2 diabetes and nutrition

Type 2 diabetes develops slowly. It's much more common than type 1 diabetes, accounting for at least 75 per cent of cases. Type 2 diabetes often develops later in life although cases in obese children and young adults are becoming more common. It's strongly related to being overweight.

Although the body continues to secrete insulin, often in large amounts, people who are on the path of type 2 diabetes don't respond efficiently. This is known as insulin resistance. Later, insulin production declines and this signals the onset of type 2 diabetes. In the early stages, diet and lifestyle measures can often be sufficient to control and even reverse insulin resistance. In the later stages of the disease, some people will need tablets and later insulin injections to manage their diabetes.

You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Studies show that for overweight people at risk of diabetes, losing just five per cent of your body weight can more than halve the chance of progressing to diabetes. It's worth noting that despite diabetes being a condition of sugar regulation, specific restriction of sugars isn't necessary, except as part of ensuring a balanced diet overall.

If you're living with diabetes you need to reduce your risk of developing associated diseases such as coronary heart disease, kidney and eye disease. This means losing weight, keeping your blood pressure and blood glucose as near normal as possible and having your cholesterol and tri-glycerides checked regularly.

Exercise and diabetes

Whatever your weight, being fit and active reduces your risk of diabetes. Physical activity, when combined with a healthy balanced diet, will help you to manage your diabetes and prevent long-term complications.

Managing diabetes and your diet

In recent years great strides have been made in the treatment of diabetes, but no one can deny the impact a diagnosis of diabetes can have on individuals. It's important that you begin to make these changes to your diet as soon as you're diagnosed. Managing diabetes is a daily challenge and carries its own health risks, especially the increased likelihood of heart disease.