Contents:
- What is Type 1 Diabetes?
- What is the Role of Diet in Type 1 Diabetes?
- What is the Best Diet for Type 1 Diabetes?
- Indian Diet Plan for Type 1 Diabetes
- Know What Foods to Avoid in Type 1 Diabetes
- Don’t Have Time To Read?
- FAQs
Your health in Type 1 Diabetes is dictated by your blood glucose levels. Those, in turn, are dependent on the medication you take and the lifestyle you follow. Planning a diet and knowing what to eat and what to avoid is an important key to manage Type 1 Diabetes. Let’s see how a Type 1 Diabetes Indian diet plan can help you live healthily with Type 1 Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system mistakenly attacks the beta cells of your pancreas and halts the production of insulin. This interferes with the utilisation of glucose (sugar) in your body and increases your blood sugar levels.
The food you consume is the main source of energy for your body. It is broken down into glucose (sugar) molecules and transported by insulin into your cells, where it is converted into energy required by the body.
In Type 1 Diabetes, the absence of insulin in your body means that glucose is not taken up by your cells and its levels in the blood go up. This can lead to complications such as heart, kidney, nerve, and eye damage.
In Type 1 Diabetes, you need to take insulin externally to stabilise your blood sugar levels as it is not produced by your body. The dose of insulin should be related to the amount of carbohydrates present in the food you consume, your activity pattern, your age, and the type of insulin used.
If you consume less amount of carbohydrates and the insulin dose is relatively high, you may experience a hypoglycaemic state. On the other hand, if your carbohydrate consumption is relatively high when compared to the insulin dose you take, it may lead to hyperglycaemia.
There is no standard diet for Type 1 Diabetes, but it is important for Type 1 Diabetics to make informed and calculated choices of food items for their diet. Foods with a low glycaemic index (GI), raise your blood sugar modestly while providing the necessary amount of carbohydrates required to produce energy for the body. Thus, low GI foods are a better choice for people with Type 1 Diabetes.
Eating a healthy diet with a range of macro and micronutrients can help Type 1 Diabetics maintain a moderate weight, and keep their cholesterol and blood pressure within target ranges.
A diet for Type 1 Diabetes should follow certain guidelines regarding the macro and micronutrients:
So which foods from each food group can a Type 1 Diabetic include in their diet? Here are a few options you can include:
Lean meat is a healthy option if you are a non-vegetarian with Type 1 Diabetes. You can include chicken, turkey, beef cuts, poultry, rabbit, and duck in your diet and limit the intake of unhealthy fats.
Milk is a source of fat and healthy, low GI carbohydrates (lactose sugar) that provide energy to your body, but also have an impact on your blood sugar levels. Skimmed or low-fat milk can be a better alternative to whole milk as it contains lower fat and calories but provides the same nutrients. Choose unsweetened milk and watch your portion size.
Non-starchy vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, fibre and phytochemicals. You should include plenty of non-starchy vegetables in your diet as plant-based diets are known to show beneficial effects on diabetes, weight loss, and blood pressure.
Non Starchy vegetables are fibre-rich and have less effect on blood sugar than starchy vegetables which contain sugar. Non-starchy vegetables include:
Nuts and seeds are a good source of fibre, which can slow down the absorption of sugar into the blood. They are also a good source of protein. Examples include:
Legumes include beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, and peanuts. These contain carbohydrates but are significantly low on the glycaemic index. They are a good source of protein and are low in fat. A few examples of legumes include:
You should choose whole grains over refined grains as part of a Type 1 Diabetes diet. Whole grains are a source of carbohydrates, but their higher fibre content ensures that they have a slower effect on blood sugar levels than refined grains.
However, whole grains should also be consumed moderately, considering the portion size of the food and its effect on blood sugar levels. Few examples of whole grains include:
Now let us have a look at a full-day Type 1 Diabetes diet chart comprising Indian food items.
It is essential for Type 1 Diabetics to know what foods to avoid as well. Foods that are devoid of nutrients and can cause a sudden and drastic increase in blood sugar levels should be avoided. Some examples include:
Snacking is always a conundrum when you have diabetes. Here's a list of the best snacks for Type 1 Diabetes that you can indulge in without worrying about your blood sugar levels.
Read NowBeing Type 1 Diabetic, are you worried about making the right choice of food to control your blood sugar? Read to discover the Type 1 Diabetes food list you must include in your diet.
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