Medicine and Health related Information

DIET- The single most important factor to control diabetes is diet. Remember one thing faulty dietary habits should be given up or else all other diabetic treatments will be of very little value. Especially for obese diabetics, maintaining good diet will be of more significance. Food substances containing large quantity of sugar such as sweets, pastries, ice cream, syrup, honey, cake, etc must be avoided by diabetic patients. Where as food which is rich in starch, such as potatoes, bread and rice should be used in limited quantities. The ability to utilize carbohydrates by diabetic patients is limited to certain extent. When this limit is exceeded the result will be  seen in the form of increase in the blood sugar level, leaking of sugar in urine and faulty fat metabolism. Because of this concentrated sources of quickly absorbable carbohydrates like sugars, etc should be avoided and pure refined starches should be limited. If vascular complications are set in then saturated fats should be avoided. Total amount of calories consumed is the mainstay of adequate dietary control. List of foods to be avoided and the quantity of food which should limited are as follows-

1. FOODS TO BE TOTALLY AVOIDED BY DIABETIC PATIENT- All the concentrated food particles of sugar such as sugar, glucose, jam, chocolates, sweets, sweet drinks, sweetened milk, canned fruits, sweet biscuits, cakes, pie, pudding, peppermint and alcohol should be totally avoided.

2. FOODS WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN IN LIMITED QUANTITY- Food particles like cereals, pulses, potatoes, peas, dry fruits, cheese, milk, butter, ghee, oil, meat, eggs, fish, and curd should be taken at certain limited level.

3. FOODS WHICH CAN BE TAKEN FREELY- Fruits, vegetables, drinks like coffee, tea, etc. sweetened with saccharine.

4. FEW SPECIAL MEDICINAL FOODS- Certain food substances like bitter ground, black berry, trifle, fenugreek, garlic and neem are considered natural medicinal foods for controlling diabetes, and these are preferred for diabetic patients.

5. FIBRE FOODS- Fibers lower the rate of glucose absorption from the gut and hence lowers blood glucose level and naturally helps in treating diabetes. Fiber helps in reducing insulin dosage administered to the diabetic patient.