Nutrition plays a crucial role in diabetes care and management.
Eating the right amount and type of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, along with fibre, vitamins and minerals is essential for maintaining a steady blood glucose level. Other factors such as staying active, getting adequate sleep and minimal stress also play an equally important role.
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) are the two complications of diabetes which can make diabetes management difficult.
This can be managed by choosing the right kind of dietary pattern and a healthy and active lifestyle through:
• Increasing the intake of low Glycaemic Index (GI) carbohydrates. For example, low GI foods are oats, wheat bran, whole wheat grains and brown rice.
• Increasing fruit and vegetable intake. These can be included in salad form or mid-morning snacks. Fruit juices should be limited, as they are a concentrated form of sugar.
• Reducing saturated fat intake.
These include whole milk and milk products, meats, butter and fast foods. Opt for healthy fats like nuts, olive oil, oily fishes, sunflower oil and canola oil.
• Reducing sugar intake in the form of sweets, chocolates, ice cream, cakes, cookies and custard.
• Eating at regular intervals, with three main meals and healthy snacks in between. This will ensure the blood sugar levels remain steady and chances of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia are minimised.
• Limiting alcohol consumption and intake of salt.
• Staying active throughout the day, start with an exercise regimen that suits you. Have a pre-workout meal in order to avoid chances of hypoglycaemia.
• A food diary or record is very crucial in managing diabetes. It helps to determine what, when and where was you food intake.
Kulani Mtileni
Clinical dietician
