How does nutrition play a crucial role in overall diabetes care?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, and I am exploring ways to manage it through a combination of medicine and a healthy diet. Can you guide the types of medicines commonly prescribed for diabetes and how nutrition plays a crucial role in overall diabetes care? I am particularly interested in understanding how a healthy diet can complement medication for better management.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First, you need to keep track of your HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) for diabetes control as well anything excess is not important, but the glycemic load of the meal is important as excess sugar will lead to conversion in fat and increased diabetes. Secondly, check with your family physician or diabetologist to check the type or dosage of medication because random medication can lead to hypoglycemia where sugar levels drop beyond the normal levels. Here few tips to manage your intake without getting worried about sugar spikes or drops. I suggest you to follow a few instructions mentioned below:

Consume complex carbohydrates like whole wheat, quinoa, brown rice, oats, and broken wheat because they are high in fiber, and fiber helps delay the process of sugar release from foods.
Other fiber-rich foods like sprouts, lentils, salads, green leafy vegetables, and whole fruits should be taken in the diet.
Small and frequent meals are to be taken.
A brisk walk for a minimum of 30 minutes 5 days a week is compulsory.
Regular self-monitoring of blood sugars is extremely important.
Avoid sodas and sweet drinks like carbonated drinks, tetra pack fruit juices are to be avoided in the diet because they are high in carbs, which increase blood sugar. Also, their high fructose content has been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of obesity, fatty liver, and other diseases.
Avoid refined carbs like white bread, pasta, and rice are low in fiber and high in glycemic index. This combination can result in high blood sugar levels.
Avoid fruit-flavored yogurts, as they are usually low in fat but high in sugar.
Avoid cereals like cornflakes, sugar-coated muesli, and sugar-coated wheat flakes.
Avoid honey, maple syrup, jaggery, and sugar.
Avoid packaged snacks as they are typically highly processed foods made from refined flour that can quickly raise your blood sugar levels.
Avoid fruits like bananas, mangoes, dates, and raisins as they are high in glycemic index as well.
Eat less salt (use less salt in cooking, replace salt with other herbs and spices, cut out commercial soups that have a very high salt content, and use a salt substitute).
Do not walk barefoot.

I hope this helps. Thank you.