Say goodbye to sweets if you have diabetes? Experts teach you how to improve your tongue's happiness

On the occasion of the 2024 United Nations Diabetes Day, the "China Health Knowledge Communication Incentive Program 2024 United Nations Diabetes Day Science Popularization Communication Event" hosted by the China Health Promotion and Education Association was held in Beijing. The theme of this year's United Nations Diabetes Day event is "Diabetes and Happiness". The guests at the meeting jointly called on the whole society to pay more attention to diabetic patients, make their lives more convenient, and reduce the burden of treatment.

With the changes in the lifestyle and dietary structure of Chinese residents, the prevalence of diabetes has increased year by year and has become an important public health issue currently facing my country. According to surveys, the prevalence of diabetes among residents aged 18 and above in my country is 11.9%, the detection rate of prediabetes is 35.2%, and the prevalence rate among adults over 50 is even higher. Diabetes has become a major killer that endangers the health of Chinese residents. Not only that, diabetes has also brought considerable troubles to the lives of patients, and many people experience pain and anxiety due to diabetes. With the deterioration of the disease, many patients face multiple challenges such as loss of ability to work, increased family burden and mental health problems.

Happiness is a comfortable, healthy and happy physical and mental state. It advocates improving the quality of life of diabetic patients as the core of diabetes health services and promoting patients to enjoy a healthy life. Many people think that if you have diabetes, you can no longer eat sweets, and you can't even enjoy delicious food, so what's the point of talking about happiness. In this regard, He Li, a researcher at the Institute of Nutrition and Health of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that as long as you maintain a balanced and reasonable diet, control the total energy and carbohydrate intake in moderation, and monitor your blood sugar, then diabetic patients can enjoy delicious food like normal people and have a life full of happiness.

Common diabetes diet misconceptions:

You think: If you eat less sugar you won’t get diabetes.

In fact, there is no direct relationship between the amount of sugar you eat and diabetes. The root cause of diabetes is that there is a problem with the pancreatic islets that secrete insulin or the tissues and organs where insulin works, and there is no way to "digest" the glucose in the blood. The occurrence of diabetes is the result of the combined effects of genetics, diet, physical activity and environmental factors. It is unrealistic to rely solely on controlling sugar to prevent diabetes. The occurrence and development of diabetes should be prevented from multiple aspects.

You think: If you have diabetes you can no longer eat sweets.

In fact, under the premise of properly controlling total energy and balancing nutrition, it is safe for diabetic patients to consume moderate amounts of fruits with a low glycemic index or consume a small amount of sweets. [1] For diabetic patients who like to eat sweets, under the premise of keeping the total amount of diet unchanged, choosing to replace foods with added sugar with sweeteners can retain the sweet taste without increasing energy intake. Sweeteners have almost no effect on blood sugar levels and are currently used in the diet of diabetic patients. It is safe to consume moderate amounts of foods or beverages with added non-nutritive sweeteners [2], [3]. However, it should be noted that although some sugar-free foods do not contain refined sugars such as sucrose during production, the food itself still contains starch, which will be broken down into glucose in the body, so it should not be consumed in excess.

You think: Diabetic patients only need to control sugar, not oil and salt

In fact, a high-fat, high-salt diet will increase the risk of diabetes, and its harm is no less than a high-sugar diet. A 2017 study by the European Diabetes Association showed that for adults whose daily salt intake exceeds the normal range, the risk of type 2 diabetes will increase by 65% ​​for every 2.5g (equivalent to half a spoonful of salt). A high-fat diet can lead to hypertriglyceridemia, which aggravates insulin resistance and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. [4] Therefore, in addition to controlling sugar intake, diabetic patients should also pay attention to light taste, control oil and salt intake, and the daily cooking salt intake should not exceed 5g, and the cooking oil intake should be controlled within 25g. [5]

You think: The lower your blood sugar levels are, the better.

In fact: For general type 2 diabetes patients, it is sufficient to control blood sugar to a level that can reduce the risk of diabetic complications, that is, fasting blood sugar 4.4-7.0mmol/L, non-fasting blood sugar <10.0mmol/L. Both high and low blood sugar are not good. In order to control blood sugar, some diabetic patients do not hesitate to adopt a carbohydrate-free diet or use excessive medications, which causes blood sugar to be too low or even leads to hypoglycemia. Long-term hypoglycemia can cause damage to the nervous system, blood vessels and internal organs. [6] Hypoglycemia can more easily induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and severe hypoglycemia can endanger the patient's life. Therefore, diabetic patients must strictly follow the doctor's instructions to take medication. When going out, they can carry some sugary foods or drinks with them. When mild hypoglycemia symptoms occur, eating a little can effectively relieve hypoglycemia and improve overall physical condition. [7], [8]

[1] People with diabetes cannot eat sugar? Scientific rumor refuted. China News Service

[2] WS/T 429-2013, Dietary guidance for adults with diabetes mellitus[S].

[3] Chinese Diabetes Society. Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in China (2020 edition)[J]. Chinese Journal of Diabetes, 2021, 13(4): 315-409. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115791-20210221-00095

[4] Multidisciplinary expert consensus working group on the clinical management of hypertriglyceridemia. Multidisciplinary expert consensus working group on the clinical management of hypertriglyceridemia. Chinese Journal of Circulation, 2023, 38(6): 621-633.

[5] Dietary Guidelines for Adults with Diabetes (2023 Edition). 2023

[6] Risk characteristics and nursing progress of asymptomatic hypoglycemia. Nursing and Rehabilitation. 2016, 15 (09)

[7] Analysis of causes and prevention of hypoglycemia in 30 patients with diabetes mellitus[J]. Chinese Journal of Ethnic and Folk Medicine, 2015, 24(6): 83-84.

[8] How do diabetic patients control hypoglycemia[N]. Shanxi Science and Technology News. Medical and Health Science and Technology. September 19, 2024