Author - Kevin Angileri

Good Carbs & Bad Carbs Fruits

Bad carbs and good carbs fruits

Aren’t Fruits Full Of Carbs – Advice For Diabetic Patients:-

We are often told that fresh fruits are extremely good for health. But what about the sugar contents in the fruits? Aren’t fruits full of carbs? But do you know that there are two types of carbs- the good carbs and the bad carbs? Well, it is what makes the difference. If you have fruits that are enriched with good carbohydrates then they will not harm you in any way. Your blood sugar or obesity problems will not be affected at all. Rather you will be able to handle them easily.

Fruits enriched with good carbs and other nutrients:

  • Apples and pears are low in sugar and contain a sufficient amount of fiber and so satisfy your sweet tooth you can go for these fruits without disturbing your pancreas.
  • Although grapefruit is a citrus fruit unlike other fruits of the same group are not high in sugar and can be taken in salads paired with avocado slices but without sprinkling sugar on top.
  • Apricots and peaches too are a smart way to get vitamin C and fiber in a tasty way. They have the same nutritional elements like apples and pears.
  • Figs are low in sugar and store a lot of fiber. Do not miss them during the season.
  • Strawberries, Cranberries, Raspberries and Grapes are some of the best fruits that have low in sugar and supply sufficient quantity of good carbs to the body for energy and metabolism as well. You will often see jams and diabetic sugar-free desserts prepared with these fruits for the natural sugar in them are just right enough to offer you a tasty treat.

 There are certain fruits which are high in sugar and other essential nutrients. A normal individual especially children can have them profusely, but if you are a diabetic or an obese patient or trying to stay low on carbs avoid the following fruits.

Fruits to avoid – Bad Carbs:

Watermelons are really a tempting fruit. But they are very high in sugar and carbohydrate contents. So avoid it.

  1. Mangoes and Papayas are those fruits that attract everyone. But they are full of sugar and carbs that cannot be digested easily. So it is better to avoid them.
  2.  Pineapples are good sources of enzymes that treat joint pains and inflammation. But the high sugar content in them is harmful for many.

Nature is full of all the necessary nutrients that we require to stay healthy. It is our task to pick out the ones that are best for us.

Balancing Your Diet For Controlling Diabetes

How to take food as a diabetic patient

Diabetes is a problem that is on the rise at a very rapid pace. If correct measures are taken on right time a lot of health problems can be prevented. Often people think that controlling diabetes means living in deprivation. Diabetics feel depressed mostly when they are put on strict diet. They need to cut back on most of their favorites especially desserts and sugary foods. But the fact is that preventing and controlling diabetes means eating a tasty and at the same time a balanced diet that will boost your energy level and improve your mood. Balance is the keyword to a healthy living and diabetes control.

Symptoms of Diabetes

It is important to know the symptoms of diabetes and the causes responsible for the disease before consulting a physician. The signs of diabetes are quite visible in persons who suffer from it. They usually feel tired, lethargic, lack energy to carry out regular activities, feel weak and frequent urination is the main sign of diabetes. But why does this happen?

Causes Of Diabetes

Diabetes is caused because the pancreas that is responsible for producing insulin and other digestive juices, do not produce enough quantity of insulin that is necessary to turn glucose into energy. It may also happen that the body does not respond to the insulin produced by the pancreas. The glucose that enters the body when we eat carbohydrates is not changed into energy and the glucose level rises up. This condition of the body when there is excess of sugar in your blood is known as Diabetes. Once you are aware of the problems associated with Diabetes, you should consult the doctor for immediate remedies. Any problem that is tackled right from the start can be reduced to a great extent. Hence the advice of the doctor is very important in cases of Diabetes both the Type 1 and Type 2.

How Diabetes Is Managed

Taking control of diabetes is not very easy. But if you are consistent on four major points you can surely make a difference in your glucose level. The 4 vital steps to take when you want to control diabetes are: –

1. Making changes in lifestyle.
2. Controlling diet.
3. Enough of activities or exercises under a professional trainer to choose the proper fitness workouts that will use the energy from glucose and not allow it to accumulate in the body as fat.
4. Reduce weight.

Importance Of Diet In Managing Diabetes

Eating right is the most important point when you are trying to control or prevent diabetes. Other factors are no doubt important like exercises and losing weight, but what you consume have the biggest effect on your health. What is the meaning of eating right for diabetes? It is surprising to know that no special diets are required to manage diabetes. You can have almost everything that others have. The main point is that a diabetes diet is a healthy eating plan that has the required essential nutrients but is low in fat and sugars. Counting calories is vital in a diabetes diet. If you choose your carbohydrates carefully, you will not have much of a problem in managing diabetes.

How To Control Diabetes?

There are 3 major steps that you need to take to control diabetes and know the vital elements that affect blood sugar and blood lipids levels which are the following:

• What you eat
• When you eat
• The amount you eat.

Now let us consider these 3 vital points that help in managing diabetes in details.

1. Selecting The Right Foods

A balanced diet consists of adequate quantity of the essential nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, iron, calcium etc to maintain health and all the body to function properly. In case of diabetes, certain changes are required in this regular diet plan. It is because you cannot use the insulin produced to utilize the carbohydrates as energy sources or may be your pancreas does not produce insulin at all. So the intake of carbohydrates has to be calculated properly so that there is no accumulation of excess fat in the body. So what should a diabetic eat?
Here is a short list of foods that you can eat to manage and control diabetes:
a. Carbohydrates required by the body are available in fruits, vegetables, breads, pastas, yoghurt and sweets. For a diabetic, dark green leafy vegetables are very important and safe too as they have a lot of fiber that controls glucose.
b. Fruits that are low in sugars but rich in vitamins, calcium and others like grapes, guavas, strawberries etc are best for a diabetic.
c. Sweets should be avoided, mostly before going to bed; yoghurt is one of the best foods that offers amazing effects on health and diabetes and it contains proteins too.
d. As for the breads and rice you can have brown bread and brown rice. They are full of vitamins as well as fibers to control diabetes and maintain your health.
e. The protein contents in your diet should be around 15% to 20%. Your choice of proteins should be the lean meats and fish that have Omega3 fatty acids.
f. Fats should constitute 20% to 35% of your diet but they must be the unsaturated fats that do not increase your weight. Weight gain slows down the control level of diabetes.

2. Eating At Regular Intervals

The body is able to control your blood sugar levels as well as your weight better when the meals are scheduled properly. You must aim to remain consistent in your meal timings. Always remember the following points:
• Do not skip your breakfast rather take care to eat a good breakfast to maintain your energy level and control your glucose level throughout the day.
• Eat regular small meals. Never stuff yourself for once that you will stay full for many hours. It is a bad idea especially for diabetics. Small meals will keep a check on your portions.
• Maintain the same amount of calorie-intake daily. It has great impact on regulating blood sugar levels.

3. Amount Of Food You Eat

Doctors give great stress on the amount of food that you take. It must be a balanced diet every day. The portion sizes are usually designed by the doctor or dietician who calculates the amount of carbohydrates, proteins or fats that each person requires according to his/her sugar level and other factors so that you do not lack any of the essential elements required by the body to maintain glucose level as well as health. Once the calories are determined, it is your duty to maintain it so that you stay well and enjoy all kinds of foods without feeling sick or increasing the glucose levels.
The best way to manage your diet is to keep a count on your calories. Always keep an eye on what you eat maintaining a balance in the essential elements. If you adhere to your meal plan and portion sizes and eat at regular intervals you will reap great results in diabetes management and stay healthy for many years and control many of the effects of diabetes. But always remember to consult your physician before taking any decisions regarding medications.

What is Insulin, Must I go on It As Diabetic Patient?

What is insulin

Diabetes has become a very common problem all over the world. Rather the number is rising at such a great pace, that doctors and researchers are trying to find out ways to combat this issue and help humans to live a healthier life. Diabetes is caused when the body does not produce insulin naturally or in sufficient amounts to maintain blood sugar levels.

What is insulin & What it is made of?

Insulin is a hormone which is made by the body naturally in the pancreas. Its work is to maintain the levels of sugar in the blood. But due to various reasons, the system does not produce this specific hormone and it also happens that the body is unable to use the insulin produced by the pancreas. In such cases, blood sugar level rises and you are diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes has many other effects on the body. You become prone to diseases like heart attacks, hypertension, bone problems, vision deficiency etc. Hence the problem has to be treated immediately to reduce risks of other complications.

Most often, Insulin is administered to diabetic patients. It entirely depends on the blood sugar level and the doctor’s advice. If usual medications, diabetic diets and physical activities do not work well to control diabetes, Insulin is given. It cannot be taken orally as the digestive enzymes in the body destroy this insulin. So it is given by an injection under the skin surface.

When is Insulin administered?

Insulin is injected when you are diagnosed with Type1 Diabetes because in this case the body does not produce the hormone in the pancreas. You do not get the energy you require from glucose. So it has to be supplied to the body through injection. The amount of the hormone and the type of insulin is determined by your physician in accordance to the composition of your system and blood sugar levels. Age, weight, sugar counts, general health are the aspects that the doctor considers before starting the insulin plan. The responses received from the body after the first dosage, are of great importance. The amount that is to be injected depends on such responses.

It is very important for the patient to work in cooperation with his/her doctor to achieve the desired goals. You want to live a healthy life and for that end you have to follow every advice you are given. The best way to start off is by walking or jogging or going to a gym to get assistance from a fitness instructor and a balanced diabetic diet.

Do I Need To Find An Endocrinologist?

Endocrinologists

There are various divisions of medicine and Endocrinology is a science that deals with all problems related to the hormones. It helps to diagnose diseases concerned with metabolism, reproduction, respiration and also deals with endocrine glands and tissues that secrete hormones.

Endocrinology for Thyroid treatments

There is actually no direct answer to the question of seeing an endocrinologist always for it has been seen that all problems cannot be handled by an endocrinologist. But if you have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, it is best to consult him for there are special treatments for this disease which can be treated by an up-to-date specialist. In case of hypothyroidism however, you may not require much help from the endocrinologist.

However, if you are a diabetic you may need to see an endocrinologist when your diabetes problems cannot be handled by a regular physician. You need to see this specialty doctor in such cases to manage your diabetic issues and other related health problems.

When You Need To Find An Endocrinologist

There are other situations also when you need to see an endocrinologist. Often you feel uneasy and an uncomfortable feeling like tingling or numbness in the hands, fingers, feet and other places in the body and also feel excessively hungry and thirsty. These symptoms are all related to diabetes. You gradually lose strength of your limbs and feel weak and dizzy and lose your senses too. The nerves are gradually become inactive and weight begins to increase. All these problems involve your nerves and hormones and it is the duty of your endocrinologist to offer solutions and remedies to such serious issues.

An endocrinologist immediately prescribes certain tests that help him to diagnose the problems at the very start. When your nerves appear to be distorted and weak you will be checked and treated by this specialist. All problems and discomfort are related to the diabetic problem that lies at the root. So you should see a doctor first and then an experienced endocrinologist to relieve you of all pains and discomfort.

Take Care To Avoid Disasters

Since life has become so complicated and strenuous, diabetes is becoming a common problem throughout the world. This disease affects the normal working system of an individual as the nerves gradually become weaker and so the best way to fight out such issues is by visiting the endocrinologist at the very start of the symptoms. If you are treated at the earliest stage you can surely feel better and live a healthier life.

Can You Reverse Diabetes? Yes Of Course!

Know the facts about diabetes

The alarming rise in the number of Diabetics today is of great concern to the medical fraternity. Although medications are being used and insulin injections are common to those with Type II Diabetes, medical researchers have confirmed that a balanced diet and exercises can reverse diabetes. They further affirm that simple lifestyle changes can help you to get off medication and lower risks of other diseases like cardiac arrests and other diabetes related problems.

When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, he/she is given a diet chart which they are supposed to follow rigorously. Many people really do follow the instruction but there is not much effect. Conventional diabetes diets are not as effective as they profess to be, for many of the essential elements are omitted. By adhering to a properly balanced diabetic diet you can easily reduce your sugar levels and reduce the risks of heart attack as well.

How Can You Reverse Diabetes?

Below are few of the Natural Ways To Reverse Diabetes that will help you stay fit and healthier.

Foods To Reverse Diabetes:

Adequate amount of green vegetables that is full of innumerable nutrients. For example, green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables and others.

  • Beans, lentils and other legumes are full of ideal carbohydrates or good carbs that keep colon cancer infections and diabetes at bay.
  • Non-starchy vegetables like mushroom, pepper, egg plant, onion and garlic have those essential elements that prevent diabetes. These foods do not affect the blood sugar and are rich sources of phytochemical and fiber.
  • Fresh fruits are benevolently enriched with fiber and anti-oxidants. It is believed that three servings of fresh fruits reduce risks of diabetes. Fruits that are less in sugary contents are the best remedy for diabetes.
  • Nuts and seeds are great in reducing weight. Over-weight and diabetes are inter-related and help to reverse Diabetes greatly.

Importance Of Exercises To Reverse Diabetes:

Can exercise reverse diabetes? You may ask & the answer to your question is Yes! and it is a very important activity that will help to stay better and healthier. Free-hand exercises, morning walks, jogging, pull-ups and cardio workouts can give you wonderful results.  But always remember that Diabetes is such an annoying disease that if you miss out on your regular diet and exercises, you are sure to find yourself weak and then have to follow an intensely restricted diet and medications that never seem to end. If you take care of your health and maintain a balance in whatever you eat and do, you can effectively reverse diabetes.

Whatever you do, get in touch with the family physician, for your medications and an experienced fitness trainer for your regular exercises.