8 Essential Guidelines for Managing Diabetes
Diabetes has become a serious global health issue, and the number of diabetic patients is continuously increasing domestically. Particularly, the incidence of diabetes is rising among the younger population due to changes in diet and the westernization of lifestyle. In this situation, it is crucial for diabetic patients to be well-informed about essential information to manage their health effectively. This article introduces 8 important guidelines that diabetic patients must know to maintain a healthy life.
The number of adults with diabetes in Korea is steadily increasing, especially among the elderly. According to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) in 2022, approximately 13.8% of adults over 30 years old have diabetes, which means over 5 million people are affected. Particularly, over 30% of the population aged 65 and above has diabetes. Diabetes is not just a simple disease but a chronic condition where management and prevention are crucial, making healthy eating habits and lifestyle essential. Therefore, we aim to provide important information on diabetes management in a Q&A format.
What Foods Are Good for Diabetic Patients?
There is no specific "good food" for diabetic patients. The key is to maintain proper eating habits. Healthy meals are essential for blood sugar management, and a diabetic diet means a balanced diet, not a special one. It's important to consume a variety of food groups in moderation, especially controlling foods rich in carbohydrates like grains, fruits, and dairy products. All meals should be regular and consumed in appropriate amounts, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
For diabetic patients, it’s not only important what you eat but also how you eat. It's particularly important to avoid overeating and to regularly consume three main meals and two to three snacks daily. Additionally, it is necessary to measure blood sugar levels before meals and adjust the meal size accordingly to prevent blood sugar spikes. By considering the proportion of fat and protein and adjusting the intake, one can avoid sudden increases in blood sugar.
6 Essential Dietary Principles for Diabetes Management
Diabetic patients must follow these 6 dietary principles. First, avoid overeating and maintain an appropriate weight. Proper weight management plays a crucial role not only in blood sugar control but also in preventing complications related to diabetes. Second, eat balanced meals at regular times. This eating habit optimizes insulin secretion and minimizes blood sugar fluctuations. Third, chew food slowly and take at least 20 minutes to eat, which improves digestion, increases satiety, and helps prevent overeating. Fourth, limit simple sugars (e.g., sugar, honey) and high-fat foods. Simple sugars and high-fat foods can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar and increase insulin resistance. Fifth, consume sufficient fiber-rich foods. Fiber slows down digestion, leading to a gradual increase in blood sugar and helps lower cholesterol levels. Lastly, it's important to eat with less salt. Reducing sodium intake helps lower blood pressure, which is beneficial for diabetic patients who are prone to hypertension. These principles can greatly help in blood sugar control.
These dietary principles not only help control blood sugar but also improve overall metabolic health and prevent complications from diabetes. Maintaining a balanced diet and consuming a variety of nutrients is particularly important, and consulting a nutrition expert to design a diet tailored to individual needs is also a good approach.
Points to Consider When Diabetic Patients Consume Fruits
Diabetic patients can consume fruits. However, since fruits contain carbohydrates, excessive consumption can raise blood sugar levels. Therefore, it's important to plan your daily carbohydrate intake and adjust the portion size accordingly. Typically, it's recommended to consume fruits 1-2 times a day, with each serving containing around 50 kcal. It is also recommended to eat whole fruits rich in fiber rather than fruit juices. When consuming fruits, carefully consider the carbohydrate intake and choose wisely.
Fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are beneficial for health. However, diabetic patients should carefully manage the types and amounts of fruits they consume. For example, instead of high-sugar fruits like bananas or mangoes, it is better to choose relatively low-sugar fruits like apples, pears, or strawberries. Additionally, the timing of fruit consumption should also be considered, ideally as a snack between meals or in small quantities as a dessert after meals. Eating whole fruits, including the skin, is preferable as it increases fiber intake and helps mitigate blood sugar spikes.
How to Manage Blood Sugar with Low-Carbohydrate Foods
Diabetic patients need to choose low-carbohydrate foods to control postprandial blood sugar. Most vegetables, seaweed, and unsweetened teas with low carbohydrate content can be consumed relatively freely. However, just because a food is low in carbohydrates does not mean it is good to consume large quantities of fatty, high-calorie foods; it is always important to maintain a balanced diet. Remember that not only the carbohydrate content but also the overall meal size and nutritional balance are crucial for managing blood sugar after meals.
Selecting low-carbohydrate foods is one of the keys to diabetes management. For example, green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and kale are low in carbohydrates but rich in fiber and nutrients, helping control blood sugar. Additionally, the cooking method is an important factor when choosing low-carbohydrate foods. Fried foods or those with heavy sauces can increase calorie content, so it is better to use steaming or baking methods. While focusing on a low-carbohydrate diet, it’s essential to maintain a balanced intake of other nutrients to ensure overall nutritional balance.
High-Risk Foods That Cause Blood Sugar Spikes
High-risk foods that can cause blood sugar spikes include those high in carbohydrates and calories. Examples include cakes, sweet pastries, sweetened yogurt, canned fruits, sweet teas, candies, chocolates, and syrups. These foods can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar, so diabetic patients should limit their intake. To control blood sugar, it's important to avoid these foods and choose healthier alternatives.
Especially, processed foods and fast foods are high in carbohydrates and fats, which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. These foods can increase insulin resistance, negatively impacting diabetes management, so it is best to avoid them. Instead, it is preferable to choose foods with a low glycemic index and rich in fiber to compose meals. Not only the choice of foods but also meal size, timing, and lifestyle habits like exercise play important roles in blood sugar control.
The Glycemic Index of Sweet Potatoes and Their Impact on Diabetes
Sweet potatoes are considered good for diabetes due to their low glycemic index, but choosing foods based solely on the glycemic index is not appropriate. Even if the glycemic index is low, consuming large quantities can still raise blood sugar levels. When consuming carbohydrate-rich foods like sweet potatoes, it's important to reduce the amount of other carbohydrate foods to manage total carbohydrate intake. Additionally, it is beneficial to consume a variety of foods, not just sweet potatoes, for better diabetes management.
Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber and vitamins, which are beneficial to health, but caution is needed during consumption. For instance, when eating baked sweet potatoes, the sugar content changes during cooking, so it's essential to adjust the portion size accordingly. Moreover, the carbohydrate content of other foods consumed with sweet potatoes should also be considered, and the total carbohydrate intake should be managed through meals. Given these considerations, consulting a nutrition expert when planning a diet that includes sweet potatoes is advisable.
The Use of Artificial Sweeteners and Their Effects on Blood Sugar Control
Artificial sweeteners can be used as a substitute for sugar, helping control blood sugar. Common artificial sweeteners include aspartame, sodium saccharin, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose, which can provide the same sweetness as sugar with much less quantity. Therefore, they have almost no calories and do not affect the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients, but foods containing artificial sweeteners are not always healthy choices. Even when using artificial sweeteners, it's important to maintain a proper amount and a healthy eating habit.
While artificial sweeteners can be useful tools for blood sugar control, potential health risks with long-term use should also be considered. Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners can affect gut microbiota, potentially having long-term negative impacts on metabolic health. Therefore, it's important to use artificial sweeteners in moderation and, if possible, consume natural and nutrient-rich foods. Maintaining overall healthy eating habits is crucial even when using artificial sweeteners.
Dietary Precautions for Diabetic Patients with Kidney Complications
Diabetic patients with kidney complications need to be more careful with their diet. While fiber-rich foods like brown rice are generally good for blood sugar control, patients with kidney complications should limit their potassium intake. Foods like whole grains, certain vegetables, and nuts are high in potassium and can burden the kidneys if consumed in excess. Therefore, when consuming such foods, it's important to monitor potassium intake and adjust the diet as necessary to manage kidney health.
Diabetic patients with kidney complications should also regulate their protein intake. Excessive protein can strain the kidneys, and consuming too much can worsen kidney function. Therefore, patients with reduced kidney function should limit protein intake and choose high-quality proteins containing essential amino acids. Additionally, proper fluid intake is crucial for kidney health, so water consumption should be appropriately managed. To do this, it's important to create a tailored diet considering the kidney's condition.
We hope this article helps diabetic patients manage their health more effectively. The key to diabetes management is maintaining proper eating habits and living a regular lifestyle. Following these 8 essential guidelines can greatly help in managing diabetes.
