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Diabetes, as an illness, is strongly related with how the human body processes insulin. Two types of diabetes are known, Type 1 and Type 2, with the first type being less common and appearing in younger patients.

A patient with Type 1 Diabetes has not sufficient insulin in the body, necessary for maintaining the normal level of sugar in the blood. Without this valuable substance, the blood gets too much sugar and the patient’s life is in danger.

Type 2 Diabetes usually affects people over 40, with poor diets and physical conditions. These patients’ bodies have developed a resistance to insulin, causing the same problem: too much sugar in the blood.

There are ways to lead a better life, even with Diabetes. Here are some rules a patient with Type 2 Diabetes must obey for achieving such a goal: work to achieve an ideal body weight, follow a diabetic diet, exercise daily and take the prescribed medication.

The ideal weight does not mean that the patient must become very thin. It is better to ask your doctor what your ideal body weight is before taking measures to achieve it.

The doctor usually recommends walking for Type 2 diabetics and also gives some medications that must be taken under the doctor’s supervision.

The Diet Guidelines

This diet is meant to make the patient suffering from Type 2 Diabetes achieve the ideal body weight. It usually consists of a 1500-1800 calorie intake that enables the body to lose weight. Be careful about some aspects like sex, age, activity level, current weight and body type. If you are obese, a larger amount of calories per day is needed because, otherwise, the weight loss process becomes too fast and it leads to complications. On the other hand, if your activity level is low, fewer calories are needed for maintaining the body. The diet described below consists of 50% carbohydrates, but this percentage may vary between 40% and 60%.

The reason for lowering the intake of carbohydrates is to lower the sugar level in the blood. This does not mean that the rest of the diet can consist of fats. You must consider substituting monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats for saturated fats.

Watch out for your carbohydrates!

Generally a gram of carbohydrate counts for 4 calories. If we consider a 1600 calorie diet, then the patient must take 800 calories from 200 grams of carbohydrate. For making your job easier in order to measure all the calories and substances that enter your body, use food tables and do not forget to read the label prints on your foods.

Even so, there are, fortunately, some foods that you do not need to look in the book to find what their calorie value is. Such foods are: bouillon or broth, carbonated or mineral water, club soda, coffee or tea, diet soft drinks, drink mixes (sugar free), tonic water (also sugar free), sugar free hard candy, sugar free Jell-O, sugar free gum, jam or jelly, (light or low on sugar, but no more than two teaspoons) and sugar free syrup (no more than two teaspoons).

You may be tempted to eat foods that contain sugar, but do not spend all your allowed calories on them, as they have poor nutritional value. It is advisable to eat fruits, no matter how sweet, as they are all permitted. Patients with Diabetes are encouraged to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, but spread all throughout the day, in order to avoid the rise of the sugar level in the blood. Eat a lot of fruits and different types of fruits. They will help you lose weight and they will improve your general health.

Vegetables are also recommended for your diet. But keep in mind that the potato is not a vegetable and you must eat only good quality foods.

By obeying these diet rules, taking your medication and maintaining your ideal weight, your chances for a normal, healthy life, will increase significantly.