HEALTH FACTS

Diabetes:

What it is: a disease in which the body does not properly use or produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy.

There are four types of diabetes:

  • Type 1: The body cannot produce insulin.
  • Type 2: The body produces a limited amount of insulin and cannot effectively use the insulin it does produce.
  • Gestational diabetes: A form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.
  • Pre-diabetes: A term used to describe blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes; also known as impaired glucose tolerance

Who's at risk:

  • Type 1: It is believed type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the pancreas and damages the cells that produce insulin. Only 5-10% of the 18 million people in the U.S. with diabetes have type 1
  • Type 2: There are many factors that increase your risk for type 2 diabetes, including:
    • Family history
    • Body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher
    • Age of 45 or older
    • Diagnosis of impaired fasting glucose
    • Blood pressure reading of 120/80 or higher
    • High cholesterol and high triglycerides
    • Ethnic background - African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders are at higher risk
    • Previously having gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes:

  • Weighing 20% more than ideal body weight before pregnancy
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Age of 25 or older
  • Previously giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds
  • Previously giving birth to a stillborn baby
  • Having gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy

Pre-diabetes:

  • Family history
  • Body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher
  • Age of 45 or older
  • Blood pressure reading of 120/80 or higher
  • High cholesterol and high triglycerides
  • Ethnic background - African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders are at higher risk
  • Previously having gestational diabetes

Lifestyle treatments:

  • Type 1: requires insulin replacement medication
  • Type 2: may require insulin replacement medication
  • Gestational diabetes usually requires dietary and lifestyle modifications
  • Pre-diabetes usually requires dietary and lifestyle modifications
  • All types can benefit from following the following recommendations:
  • Calories and body weight
  • Achieve and maintain a BMI of 18.5-25 through calorie reduction and daily exercise

What to eat each day:
Follow the recommendations of the ADA food guide pyramid
http://www.diabetes.org/nutrition-and-recipes/nutrition/foodpyramid.jsp

It is slightly different than the USDA food guide pyramid, but will still benefit an entire family. Even those without diabetes can follow it.

Carbohydrates:
Low glycemic index foods and those rich in soluble fiber are recommended; vegetables, fruits and legumes are best

Protein:
For those with neuropathy eating protein amounts at the lower end of the normal range (4 oz. per day divided between meals)

Vitamins:
Eat a wide variety of foods. A multivitamin is recommended, but other supplements are not.

Sodium:
Keep intake below 6 g/day

Alcohol:
Check with your health care provider. If alcohol is permitted have it with food. One drink per day for women; two drinks per day for men.

"diabetic"or "dietetic" foods:
Non-alcoholic beverages sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners are useful
Other ìspecialî foods are not necessary

Sweets:
Talk with your health care provider about how you should balance sugar intake and glucose control. For most people, even those without diabetes, sugary snacks should be an infrequent treat

http://www.diabetes.org/nutrition-and-recipes/nutrition/foodpyramid.jsp