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As seen on BCTV October 23/01
DIABETES - TYPE II
Diabetes is a condition in which the body loses its ability to process
glucose (the energy to your cells). There are 3 types of Diabetes. Type
I: The pancreas stops producing insulin. Treatment is with insulin.
Type II: The pancreas continues to produce insulin but at a reduced
rate and the cells lose their sensitivity. Treatment in most cases is
through diet and exercise initially, then oral hypoglycemic agents and
as a last resort, insulin. Gestational Diabetes: Similar to type II
diabetes and occurs during pregnancy. Often goes away after birth of
the child.
Who is at risk?
Think Over, Under, Over. If you are over forty, under-active and over-weight you have a serious risk. Your risk is greater if there is someone in your family who has diabetes.
Symptoms:
Excessive appetite, thirst, urination and fatigue, slow healing of cuts, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in hands and feet and bladder infections.
Half of Canadians who have Diabetes don't know it yet. Go to your family doctor to get tested if you have any of the above symptoms or risk factors.
Dietary Control of Diabetes
- Reduce your simple sugar intake from foods such as sugar, jam, honey, candy, chocolate, desserts, ice cream, cookies, cakes, sugar beverages and regular pop.
- Reduce foods that have a high glycemic index (the speed at which a food becomes sugar in your blood). These foods include; raisins, grapes, carrots, over-ripe bananas, corn, peas, potato, whit bread, white rice, white pasta, crackers, cookies, white buns, low fibre cereals (less than 2grams of fibre per serving).
- Increase your fibre intake: Vegetables and whole fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.
- Include protein with your meals. Protein will help slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream. Examples:
Add turkey to your sandwich
Add beans or lentils to pasta sauce
Add chicken or tofu to a stir-fry
Use hummus as a dip for carrots
Include nuts with dried fruit
Add yogurt or soft tofu to a fruit smoothie
Add peanut butter to your crackers.
- Reduce alcohol consumption. Alcohol should be limited to a maximum of 1-2 drinks per night and should be consumed with food. Due to the way alcohol is metabolized it can result in a low blood sugar if consumed in excess and if not consumed with food. Avoid alcohol after heavy exercise.
Watch for the Eating for Energy segment every Tuesday on BCTV's Noon News Hour!
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