Diabetes and Nutrition

Food and Nutrition are the most interesting things in our life. A large portion of our waking hours is spent on planning, buying, cooking and eating food. Of course, food alone is not the key to a healthier life, but good nutrition should become a part of overall healthy life style. Back in 400 B.C., Hipocrates said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine by your food”. They were emphasizing the link between nutrition and diseases.

Good and proper nutrition is very important in managing diabetes and ensures better control and reduction in medicines.Diabetics don’t need a special diet. Interestingly our traditional Indian diets with slight modification in the sugar and fat intake is ideal for a diabetic. But an occasional intake of these foods is permitted only after making necessary adjustments and also avoiding over indulgence, which can create problem. The daily intake should be spaced into three principal meals and two snacks.A diabetic can make his diet flexible to match his customs, likes, dislikes and health condition by adopting food exchange system.

The food exchanges are:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Milk and Milk products
4. Oil, fats and nuts
5. Cereals
6. Meat, fish and pulses

7 steps to healthy eating

1. Avoid visible and invisible
2. Fill up with starchy food
3. Eat at least 3 servings of vegetables a day
4. Get rid of the sugar habit but use
5. Eat enough protein
6. Avoid fasting and
7. Quit smoking and alchol
8. Hence “Eat for Health; Not for Taste”.

The Hindu November 14 2006