INSTANT+ APPOINTMENT

Kajsa Ernestam, in-house dietitian from global health app, Lifesum (www.lifesum.com) answers your questions.

Eat right

QMy husband has just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He eats badly so what can I do to make his diet better? Trisha, Bournemouth

AWorking together to make changes is a great idea, as it can provide your husband with the motivation he needs, so see this as something the two of you tackle as a team. While there aren’t many strict guidelines for what you should or shouldn’t eat, it is important that you find a diet plan that works for the two of you, and that you can stick to it in the long-term. Incorporate plenty of vegetables and fruit, avoid high-fat animal foods, and choose low-fat alternatives when it comes to dairy products. Also, make sure that you eat healthy unsaturated fats, such as avocado and natural nuts, and choose the type and amount of carbohydrates you consume with care, as this has an effect on your blood glucose levels. It’s also important that you try to integrate some type of regular exercise into your treatment plan, as it can help to increase the cell’s sensitivity to insulin. By increasing sensitivity, the cells will pick up the sugar contained in the blood more easily, thus avoiding high blood sugar levels.