Diabetes is a chronic disease, characterized by an abnormally high concentration of glucose or sugar in the blood. It occurs because there is a lack or poor use of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, which is essential for transforming the glucose in the food that is eaten into energy.
According to the Ministry of Health, three out of ten Colombians have diabetes. However, it is estimated that the real number is much higher and one in ten people in Colombia suffers from this disease. This is because almost half of the individuals with this pathology do not know that they are sick.
“Today, diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in people between the ages of 30 and 70. It favors the appearance of heart attacks, cerebral thrombosis, amputations of the lower extremities and deterioration of kidney function, to the point where people may need dialysis to continue living”, explained the same institution.
Indeed, the sugar or glucose in food is the main fuel that the body uses as energy to perform all its functions, that is, think, breathe, contract the heart, work and others.
When insulin is lacking or is produced in sufficient quantity, but there are problems that prevent its use in the body, sugar cannot enter the cells and accumulates in the blood, producing hyperglycemia. This elevation of blood sugar is what characterizes diabetes.
Diet, physical activity and medication are the basic pillars of diabetes treatment. To maintain blood sugar levels within the range considered normal—80 to 115 mg/dl fasting—a person with diabetes needs a specific eating plan.
For example, it is necessary to avoid or consume some vegetables in moderation. According to the specialized portal Lives Sanothose vegetables that contain large amounts of starch in their components also have a high carbohydrate content, so they are not recommended in a daily diet.
Among these are:
- Corn: Typically, starches that are less processed tend to spike the sugar; slower blood sugar is what happens when corn is consumed in large proportions.
- fresh peas: Due to its abundant carbohydrate content (mostly starch), it is advisable to consume it in moderation.
- Papa: The Spanish Nutrition Foundation points out that these provide 88 Kcal/100 g, an amount of energy that would not be excessive if consumed in moderation. If they are fried, their caloric value increases. Roasting or boiling is recommended to avoid health conditions.
On the other hand, there is a list of foods to avoid, such as candy, cookies, cakes, ice cream, sweetened cereals, and canned fruits with added sugar; drinks with added sugars, such as juices, regular sodas, and regular sports or energy drinks; white rice, tortillas, breads and pastas, especially those made with white flour.
You may also need to limit the amount of alcohol the person drinks, as well as the amount of fat and salt. Similarly, If a person is diabetic, it is important to eat the right amount of food every day. Your meal plan will include how much to eat so you get the recommended amount of carbohydrates at each meal or snack.
Likewise, it is important to eat at the right time. Regular and balanced meals should be planned to avoid high or low blood sugar levels. One of the recommendations of the specialists is to consume the same amount of carbohydrates in each meal.