Type 2 Diabetes is a serious condition which can potentially lead to major medical disorders or conditions. It does not have a simple or permanent cure yet, but it can certainly be controlled by lifestyle changes. These changes include a healthy diet, healthy eating plans, and regular physical activity or exercise.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Diabetes 2 is the result of high sugar (glucose) levels in the blood which occurs after eating many different types foods, but especially poor quality carbohydrates (in white flour, sugary sweets and in highly processed foods which contain little fibre; you need fibre in foods to help you slow down the rapid rate of sugar absorption from the intestines ‑otherwise blood sugar levels will rise too quickly!). The increased amounts of sugar in the circulating around the body causes damage to many body parts including eyes, heart, kidneys, blood circulation system (arteries) and male and female sex organs.
There are two different kinds of diabetes. This article is about Diabetes 2, the main type of diabetes. It can be diagnosed by performing the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). A person drinks 75 g of glucose in this test. Then following 2 hours, the blood sugar level is determined after a portion of blood is taken. If the result is 200 mg/dl (11 mmol/l) or more, then you are a diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Role of Diet:
You can certainly control Type two Diabetes effectively with an appropriate ‘diet regimen’ an must include only small portions of simple sugars (sweets) and simple carbs (including white flour products). It is important to eat ‘complex’ carbohydrates including wholegrain products (with plenty of fibre), vegetables (but not potatoes), beans and pulses (chickpeas, lentils and peas). Dietary changes will also need to be implemented, including consuming smaller size meals, more often. As a result, smaller rises in your blood glucose levels will be achieved when following a meal plan with smaller sized meals (instead of really big rises in blood glucose if you have only one or two really heavy (big) meals a day). Therefore, one should consume greater quantities of vegetables and fruits while eating less white flour (brown (wholemeal) flour is good), reduce white rice (although wholegrain brown rice is good) and foods high in fat (especially those with a lot of trans and saturated fats!). Generally, high amounts of fats are to be avoided – this includes oils; olive oil is regarded as a healthy oil. It is also advisable if you don’t have diabetes to follow this eating plan as it is healthy and may even prevent the onset of diabetes!
Lifestyle in Diabetes:
A healthy life style will surely help you to control Type 2 Diabetes and its seriousdreaded health complications.
Firstly, do regular exercise (you can easily walk 10-20 minutes a day) to keep yourself fit and active, and also to burn and help your body reduce the sugar (glucose) levels in your blood. As mentioned, you will need to alter your lifestyle by revisiting your diet. So, eat in smaller portions by dividing three big meals a day into six smaller meals. As part of the lifestyle changes in Diabetes 2, having less simple carbohydrates, sugar and salt intake is also very very important.
Keep a check of your blood sugar level regularly and avoid any large increases in blood glucose by eating correctly and by keeping yourself fit, healthy and active. See your dietitian and doctor routinely with your sugar level records.
Exercise and Diabetes Control:
90 % of the individuals who have Type two Diabetes are over weight according to research surveys. So, exercise has a great role to play in avoiding diabetes, and controlling it once you get it. Exercise will not only help you to maintain an ideal body weight but you will also gain the health benefits of being fit and active in your life! Any sort of physical activity is satisfactory, and ideally performed with a timer (for 10 – 30 min) and slowly leading up to 30 min (per day), several (4-5 times per week). Ideally, discuss this with your doctor before you start! To assist you keep your blood glucose levels from rising too high, and to keep your body weight down, as well as to help you keep up the exercise routine, there are a number of activities which are helpful. These include Walking, jogging, swimming and yoga!
Diabetes Prevention:
There is no permanent cure for Type two Diabetes but you can help avoid or get on top of it by an ideal diet plan, regular physical activity, prescribed medication (if required) and avoiding all stress (which can increase your blood sugars!). So, eat a healthy and controlled diet with smaller portions, avoid stress, take any required medications and do exercise to enjoy life with diabetes!
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