#患上糖尿病, should we give up staple foods?#头条创作挑战赛#在面对糖尿病这一慢性疾病时 The first thing that comes to mind for many patients is to adjust their diet. Among them, the intake of staple foods is of particular concern, as staple foods are usually rich in carbohydrates, which directly affect blood sugar levels. So, does diabetes really require a complete abandonment of staple foods?
1. The relationship between diabetes and diet
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar. Long-term hyperglycemia can lead to a variety of complications.
According to the World Health Organization, about 422 million adults worldwide have diabetes, and this number is expected to increase to 700 million by 2045. Management of diabetes mellitus mainly includes dietary modification, physical activity, and medications.
2. Carbohydrate and blood sugar control
Carbohydrates are the main factor that affects blood sugar. Carbohydrates in food are digested and converted into glucose, which enters the bloodstream, causing blood sugar to rise. Therefore, controlling carbohydrate intake is key to diabetes management.
However, this does not mean that diabetics need to give up carbohydrates altogether. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes adopt an individualized eating plan that adjusts their carbohydrate intake based on their health, blood sugar control goals, and lifestyle.
3. Choose the right carbohydrates
For diabetic patients, it is appropriate to choose carbohydrates with a low glycemic index (GI). Low GI foods cause a slow rise in blood sugar and help with blood sugar control. For example, whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and oats are more suitable than white bread and rice.
According to studies, a low GI diet can significantly improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. In one study, patients on a low GI diet had an average 0.5% reduction in HbA1c, a long-term indicator of glycemic control.
4. Moderate intake of carbohydrates
Carbohydrate intake for people with diabetes should be determined based on the individual's energy needs and glycemic control goals. It is generally recommended that carbohydrates should make up 45%-65% of total calories. For example, a patient with a daily intake of 2,000 kcal should have a carbohydrate intake of 225 to 325 grams.
5. Blood glucose monitoring and dietary modification
Continuous blood glucose monitoring is essential for people with diabetes. By monitoring the glycemic response, patients can understand the effects of different foods on their blood sugar and make dietary adjustments accordingly. Commonly used methods of blood glucose monitoring include glucose meters and continuous glucose monitoring systems.
6. Examples and Recommendations
Taking a typical diabetic patient as an example, we can see the importance of reasonable dietary adjustments. Mr. Li, a 58-year-old type 2 diabetic patient, reduced his HbA1c from 9% to 7% by adjusting his diet (reducing fine carbohydrates and increasing the intake of whole grains). This change not only improved his blood sugar control, but also reduced the risk of future complications.
7. Summary
Diabetics don't need to give up staple foods altogether, but instead choose the right type of carbohydrate and control the right intake. With an individualized diet plan and continuous blood glucose monitoring, blood sugar can be effectively managed and the risk of complications can be reduced.