Healthy and balanced diet is way to go
Experts advise diabetics to make small changes to lead a healthier life
Dr Satendra Kumar Multani, an endocrinologist at the Dubai-based Prime Medical Centre, recommended making small changes for a healthier life.
He said: “The diet for diabetic patients should be healthy and balanced. Each patient has different caloric needs as per age, work and lifestyle so the diet must be individualised. The simple or refined carbohydrates, such as those in white bread, white rice, or juices, should be avoided or reduced in quantity. Diabetics should avoid eating large meals, but three moderate meals plus two small snacks is advised. Portion control is key to avoiding large peaks in blood sugar level after meals.
“The dietary guidelines are almost similar for both types of diabetes but an important difference is that as Type 1 diabetes patients are on insulin, they have to follow a particular time and amount of food to avoid episodes of high and low sugar levels. They should also learn carbohydrate counting to adjust the dose of insulin at different meals. Patients with both types of diabetes should avoid long gaps between meals to avoid binge eating and inducing high post-meal sugar levels.”
According to Dr Multani, a modification in lifestyle is an essential part of diabetes management.
He said: “I consider diabetes as a disease of discipline. The alterations should be simple and practical suiting the life of an individual. Thirty minutes of moderate to brisk walking can be of great help. Besides that, 20 minutes of stretching or weight training can keep the muscles and joints toned.”
Dr Hubert Penninckx, a specialist endocrinologist and diabetologist at the American Hospital Dubai, agreed.
He said: “People with Type 2 diabetes, in 95 per cent of the cases, must lose weight. One factor in Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, and medication, weight reduction and exercise can improve this. A diet with a quantity of about 500 kilocalories less than the actual need, which can be calculated by the doctor or dietician, is the best option.”
However, Dr Penninckx offers a different approach when it comes to meal times.
He said: “Eating six times per day, as frequently proposed, is not a good option. For those with Type 2 diabetes, two meals per day with a calculated calorie count is better. A good breakfast and late lunch or early dinner works best.” He advises giving up drinks with sugar and replace them with water. A glass of water 30 minutes before dinner is recommended by him.