Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023
BookMark
Report

Managing Diabetes Through Diet & Lifestyle!

Profile Image
Dt. Suraksha Shetty ShahDietitian/Nutritionist • 20 Years Exp.Diploma In Nutrition & Health Education
Topic Image

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease, with the incidence mainly increased by changing lifestyles including food habits and sedentary way of life. How does it happen? The sugar that is consumed is metabolized by a hormone known as insulin. Diabetes can occur due to two reasons:

  • Reduced amount of insulin production
  • Increased amount of sugar levels beyond what the produced insulin can metabolize.

Risk factors: Diabetes can be genetic, but in most cases, it is acquired and the following are risk factors for the same.

  • Ethnicity (Hispanics, Latino Americans, Afro-Americans, etc.)
  • Dietary habits including excessive consumption of sugar(s), refined foods, processed foods
  • Impaired glucose tolerance
  • Developing resistance to insulin (thereby increased sugar levels)
  • Decreased amount of dietary fiber

Symptoms:

Management through Lifestyle changes:
Diabetes 1 which requires insulin is not preventable but type 2 diabetes is easily manageable through lifestyle changes. This can prolong the onset of getting diabetes and reduce the severity of the disease. It also helps reduce complications. This would require a combination of diet, lifestyle changes, and healthcare.
Diet:

  • Sugars are the main culprit, and refined sugar consumption should be reduced.
  • Oils, white rice, refined flour, processed foods, packaged foods, canned foods, etc. also to be reduced.
  • Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. This helps reduce calories and also increase fiber consumption.
  • When it comes to fats, increase consumption of unsaturated fatty acids and reduce saturated fatty acids.
  • Sufficient hydration ensures the toxins are washed off and the tissues are well hydrated.
  • Pack the diet with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Diabetes is considered a chronic inflammatory process, and including antioxidants in your diet ensures that the buildup of toxins is reduced and inflammation is controlled.
  • Avoid eating large portions at any meal. Small, frequent meals ensure the body receives an even spread of calories.
  • The size of the meal should reduce as the day goes along.

Lifestyle:

  • A routine exercise regimen helps in weight management, improved insulin function, and reducing fat accumulation. Pick what works for you - jogging, cycling, running, swimming, brisk walking, etc.
  • Quitting smoking has multiple benefits, and improved diabetes control is just one.
  • Weight management: Weight needs to be constantly monitored for deviations and immediate course corrections to be done
  • Stress management: Stress is a risk factor for diabetes and controlling stress helps improve diabetes control
  • Vigilance and Monitoring: Sugar levels need to be constantly monitored. Higher sugar levels or missed doses should be immediately corrected. Consult an Expert & get answers to your questions!
chat_icon

Ask a free question

Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

posted anonymously
doctor

Book appointment with top doctors for Diabetes treatment

View fees, clinc timings and reviews
doctor

Treatment Enquiry

Get treatment cost, find best hospital/clinics and know other details