Planning a Balanced Diet for Diabetics

(Newswire.net — May 4, 2018) Cheyenne, Wyoming — Healthy eating is important for everyone but it’s especially vital for diabetics. Much planning and preparation is involved in establishing a proper eating routine and for diabetics this means restricting their intake of carbohydrates, fats, sweets and processed foods while loading up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. 

“Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is vital to your health because it’s an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It’s also your brain’s main source of fuel. If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, although the causes may differ. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems.” 

The focus is on eating foods rich in vitamins, minerals and essential dietary nutrients. Meanwhile, monitoring carbohydrate consumption is necessary since it’s the culprit regarding elevation blood sugar levels. As such, there are a number of variables to consider when deciphering how much carbs one can consume each day, factors like the type of medication one is on, weigh, fitness and the individualized blood glucose target issued by ones’ physician. 

“A rule of thumb for carbohydrate counting is 45-60 grams of carbs per meal and 15-20 grams of carbs per snack,” informs Healthline.com. “Along with counting carbs, you may also factor in the glycemic index when eating. The glycemic index measures how carbs raise your blood sugar. Some foods cause the blood sugar to rise more rapidly than others.” 

The trick is to balance eating foods that are high on the glycemic index with those that are low on the glycemic index to avoid a spike in blood sugar levels. Things to consider is the amount of fat, fiber, processing, ripeness and cooking method of foods alongside the combination and variety of nutrients in a single meal. All these factors contribute to the body’s overall state with particular interest about its effect on one’s internal pH levels. 

“The human body has a particular range of pH that it needs to be at for good health,” explains Diabetes Self-Management, an authoritative and reliable health publisher established since 1983. “The pH is simply a measure of acid-base balance in the body. A pH of 0 is very acidic, 7 is neutral, and a 14 is very alkaline. In normal situations, the body likes to be at a pH of 7.35 to 7.45. The stomach, however, which is very acidic, has a much lower pH of 1.35 to 3.50. In a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), ketones, which are acids, build up in the blood and urine.”

Keeping a close watch on how acidic the body gets is crucial so regular analysis is advised and the HealthyWiser™ pH Test Strips have been proven to be one of the best tools for the job. The HealthyWiser™ pH Test Strips allow for a sample of saliva or urine to be tested with precision and speed in the comfort of one’s home. Additionally, ketone levels are important as diabetic ketoacidosis can be avoided from early detection of the slightest increase in ketones and this is why the HealthyWiser™ Ketone Reagent Urinalysis kit is worth investing in.