Responsible eating

During the festive season people are exposed to a different variety of foods and some are diabetic.

According to dietitian from Far East Rand Hospital, Mardre Harding, portion control is key and eating regularly is sustainable in balancing a diet.

Harding says diabetic individuals must implement a low fat diet to avoid heart diseases and regularly exercise.

She explains that some patients, when they feel better, tend to stop taking medication which is wrong as it complicates the body system.

She says if one feels that their current medication is not balancing their system they can see their doctor to change the medication.

She adds that there is an increase of diabetes from the age of 35.

Harding explains type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes), accounts for five to 10 out of 100 people who have diabetes.

“In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin production from the body,” she says.

According to her, without insulin, cells cannot absorb sugar (glucose), which they need to produce energy.

“Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset or non–insulin-dependent diabetes) can develop at any age,” she explains.

Type 2 diabetes in children is rising.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for the vast majority of people who have diabetes — 90 to 95 out of 100 people.

In type 2 diabetes, the body isn’t able to use insulin the right way.

This is called insulin resistance. As type 2 diabetes gets worse, the pancreas may make less and less insulin. This is called insulin deficiency.

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes