Diet for Diabetics: Yes or No?

Author: Qin Lili, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong Province

Reviewer: Zhang Haiguo, deputy chief physician, First People's Hospital of Jining City, Shandong Province

In the fast-paced modern life, diabetes is a common chronic disease, and its management is crucial. A reasonable diet is not only the key to controlling the condition of diabetic patients, but also the core of maintaining overall health. So, among the dazzling array of foods, which ones should become the daily good food for diabetic patients, and which ones should be avoided as much as possible? Today, let us understand the dietary secrets of diabetic patients.

Yes——Whole grains, such as brown rice, oats, corn, sorghum rice, etc., are ideal staple foods for diabetics. These foods are rich in carbohydrates, but their blood sugar-raising effect is relatively weak. They are decomposed and absorbed slowly in the body, which helps maintain blood sugar stability and avoid large fluctuations in blood sugar. Moreover, whole grains are rich in dietary fiber, which not only increases satiety but also helps control weight, which is especially beneficial for diabetics. In addition, whole grains are also rich in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, which help enhance immunity and prevent other chronic diseases.

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No——Finely processed foods, such as white bread, white rice, and cakes, are not recommended for diabetic patients. Take white rice as an example. After fine processing, the dietary fiber content in rice may be less than 1%, and the glycemic effect is significant, which can easily lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar, which is not conducive to diabetic patients controlling their blood sugar levels. Therefore, diabetic patients should try to reduce the intake of such foods and choose healthier and more nutritious staple food substitutes.

Yes——Vegetables and fruits, such as spinach, celery, broccoli, green peppers and other vegetables, as well as apples, kiwis, cherries, grapes and other fruits, are important sources of nutrition for diabetic patients. These foods are rich in dietary fiber and vitamins, which help increase satiety, help diabetic patients control blood sugar, blood lipids and body weight, and thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Although fruits contain a certain amount of sugar, the vitamins and minerals they contain are extremely important for health, and diabetic patients can consume them in moderation.

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No——High-sugar foods, such as candies, desserts, and sugary drinks, are what diabetics need to avoid. The sugar in these foods can quickly raise blood sugar, which is extremely detrimental to the control of the disease. Therefore, diabetics should be vigilant and stay away from these high-sugar foods.

Yes——High-quality protein foods, such as beef, fish, lean pork, shrimp and other animal foods, as well as tofu, soy milk and other plant foods, are important sources of adequate protein intake for diabetic patients. The high-quality protein in these foods helps maintain the normal functioning of the body, enhance satiety, and control weight.

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No——High-fat foods, such as fatty meat, animal offal, fried foods, etc., are not recommended for diabetic patients. The saturated fat and trans fat in these foods may aggravate insulin resistance and increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

In addition to following the "Yes or No" principle, diabetic patients should also eat small meals frequently, avoid overeating, and choose cooking methods with less oil and salt. In addition, diabetic patients should maintain appropriate daily exercise, regularly monitor blood sugar levels, and take medications as prescribed by doctors. Through reasonable diet and lifestyle adjustments as well as necessary medical interventions, the progression of the disease can be effectively controlled, complications can be reduced, and the quality of life can be improved.