Life can be sweet even if you’re a diabetic

At least six million Filipinos are diagnosed with diabetes. That’s a big number, which the World Health Organization predicts will increase to about 7.7 million diabetics in the Philippines by 2030.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body is unable to produce enough insulin, the hormone that helps cells absorb sugar.

To prevent diabetes, it’s best to control sugar intake. But that doesn’t mean not having to ever eat chocolate or cake for the rest of your life. It simply means that balanced diet is key.

Individuals should take only six teaspoons of sugar a day to ensure a healthy body, said Dr. Marita Fuentes, an endocrinologist at ManilaMed. That may seem like an unsatisfying amount of sugar, but it boils down to the kind of food you eat.

“All the metabolic diseases, all the diseases of the lifestyle are also associated with the increase in the consumption of added sugar,” she said.

Natural sugars—those found in fruits, vegetables, milk—are not bad, Fuentes said. They don’t cause harm to the body.

“It’s the added sugar that is bad—the sugar we use in food processing,” she said.

Opting for fresh food instead of processed food does not only keep sugar levels normal, but also increases the vitamins, antioxidants and minerals in the body.

Fitbit.com, for example, suggests substituting a tall vanilla latte with a tall regular latte (with one teaspoon of sugar); and having plain yogurt with real fruits, as opposed to a low-fat fruit-flavored yogurt.

During an episode of the ManilaMed Healthline, Fuentes said proper diet should be accompanied by frequent exercise and constant medication.

“Eat more veggies, more fruits, and nuts,” she advised. “Don’t eat starchy vegetables too much, like corn, peas, and potatoes.”

ManilaMed has a Diabetes Care Center that offers diagnostic tests and treatments for the disease. It also offers basic diabetes education and recovery support.