Food With Natural Insulin We want to make sure you stay healthy, so we’re here to help with recipes and meal planning suggestions. We’re not just an app —we’re your wellness partner! Here we are going to show you food with insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body’s cells can’t properly take up sugar (glucose) from the foods you eat. If left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can cause such health problems as heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. You can manage this disease by making lifestyle changes, taking medications and/or insulin and seeing your provider for regular check
OVERVIEW
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a disease where your body can’t use energy from food properly. Your pancreas produces insulin (a hormone) to help your cells use glucose (sugar). But over time your pancreas makes less insulin and the cells resist the insulin. This causes too much sugar to build up in your blood. High blood sugar levels from Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health problems including heart disease, stroke or death.
Type 1 vs. Type 2 diabetes: What’s the difference?
Type 2 diabetes is not the same as Type 1 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t make any insulin. In Type 2, your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, and the insulin it is making doesn’t always work as it should. Both types are forms of diabetes mellitus, meaning they lead to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Type 2 diabetes usually affects older adults, though it’s becoming more common in children. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or young adults, but people of any age can get it.
Who is at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes?
You’re more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes if you:
- Are Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander.
- Are older than 45.
- Are overweight or obese.
- Don’t exercise.
- Had gestational diabetes while pregnant.
- Have a family history of diabetes.
- Have high blood pressure.
- Have prediabetes (higher than normal blood sugar, though not high enough to be Type 2 diabetes).
How common is Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. About 1 in 10 Americans have the disease. It’s the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
What causes Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes develops when the pancreas makes less insulin than the body needs, and the body cells stop responding to insulin. They don’t take in sugar as they should. Sugar builds up in your blood. When cells don’t respond to insulin, this is called insulin resistance. It’s usually caused by:
- Lifestyle factors, including obesity and a lack of exercise.
- Genetics, or abnormal genes, that prevent cells from working as they should.
What are the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes?
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes tend to develop slowly over time. They can include:
- Blurred vision.
- Fatigue.
- Feeling very hungry or thirsty.
- Increased need to urinate (usually at night).
- Slow healing of cuts or sores.
- Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
- Unexplained weight loss.
What are the complications of high blood sugar levels?
Potential complications of high blood sugar levels from Type 2 diabetes can include:
- Digestive problems, including gastroparesis.
- Eye problems, including diabetes-related retinopathy.
- Foot problems, including leg and foot ulcers.
- Gum disease and other mouth problems.
- Hearing loss.
- Heart disease.
- Kidney disease.
- Liver problems, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage).
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Skin conditions.
- Stroke.
- Urinary tract infections and bladder infections.
Rarely, Type 2 diabetes leads to a condition called diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a life-threatening condition that causes your blood to become acidic. People with Type 1 diabetes are more likely to have DKA.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
How is Type 2 diabetes diagnosed?
The following blood tests help your healthcare provider diagnose diabetes:
- Fasting plasma glucose test: checks your blood glucose level. This test is best done in the office in the morning after an eight hour fast (nothing to eat or drink except sips of water).
- Random plasma glucose test: This lab test can be done any time without the need to fast.
- Glycolated hemoglobin testing (A1c) measures your average blood sugar levels over three months.
- Oral glucose tolerance testing checks your blood sugar levels before and after you drink a sugary beverage. The test evaluates how your body handles glucose.
| Type of test | Diabetes (mg/dL) |
|---|---|
| Fasting glucose test | 126 or higher |
| Random (anytime) glucose test | 200 or higher |
| A1c test | 6.5% or higher |
| Oral glucose tolerance test | 200 or higher |
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
How is Type 2 diabetes managed?
There’s no cure for Type 2 diabetes. But you can manage the condition by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking medication if needed. Work with your healthcare provider to manage your:
- Blood sugar: A blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can help you meet your blood sugar target. Your healthcare provider may also recommend regular A1c tests, oral medications (pills), insulin therapy or injectable non-insulin diabetes medications.
- Blood pressure: Lower your blood pressure by not smoking, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. Your healthcare provider may recommend blood pressure medication such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors.
- Cholesterol: Follow a meal plan low in saturated fats, trans fat, salt and sugar. Your healthcare provider may recommend statins, which are a type of drug to lower cholesterol.
What should a Type 2 diabetes meal plan include?
Ask your healthcare provider or a nutritionist to recommend a meal plan that’s right for you. In general, a Type 2 diabetes meal plans should include:
- Lean proteins: Proteins low in saturated fats include chicken, eggs and seafood. Plant-based proteins include tofu, nuts and beans.
- Minimally processed carbohydrates: Refined carbs like white bread, pasta and potatoes can cause your blood sugar to increase quickly. Choose carbs that cause a more gradual blood sugar increase such as whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice and whole-grain pasta.
- No added salt: Too much sodium, or salt, can increase your blood pressure. Lower your sodium by avoiding processed foods like those that come in cans or packages. Choose salt-free spices and use healthy oils instead of salad dressing.
- No added sugars: Avoid sugary foods and drinks, such as pies, cakes and soda. Choose water or unsweetened tea to drink.
- Non-starchy vegetables: These vegetables are lower in carbohydrates, so they don’t cause blood sugar spikes. Examples include broccoli, carrots and cauliflower.
Will I need medication or insulin for Type 2 diabetes?
Some people take medication to manage diabetes, along with diet and exercise. Your healthcare provider may recommend oral diabetes medications. These are pills or liquids that you take by mouth. For example, a medicine called metformin helps control the amount of glucose your liver produces.
You can also take insulin to help your body use sugar more efficiently. Insulin comes in the following forms:
- Injectable insulin is a shot you give yourself. Most people inject insulin into a fleshy part of their body such as their belly. Injectable insulin is available in a vial or an insulin pen.
- Inhaled insulin is inhaled through your mouth. It is only available in a rapid-acting form.
- Insulin pumps deliver insulin continuously, similar to how a healthy pancreas would. Pumps release insulin into your body through a tiny cannula (thin, flexible tube). Pumps connect to a computerized device that lets you control the dose and frequency of insulin.
PREVENTION
How can I prevent Type 2 diabetes?
You can prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes by:
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Exercising.
- Losing weight.
Regular checkups and screenings with your healthcare provider can also help you keep your blood sugar in check.
OUTLOOK / PROGNOSIS
What is the outlook for Type 2 diabetes?
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your outlook depends on how well you manage your blood glucose level. Untreated Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of life-threatening health conditions. Diabetes requires lifelong management.
LIVING WITH
When should I call my doctor?
It’s important to monitor diabetes very closely if you’re sick. Even a common cold can be dangerous if it interferes with your insulin and blood sugar levels. Make a “sick day” plan with your healthcare provider so you know how often to check your blood sugar and what medications to take.
Contact your provider right away if you experience:
- Confusion or memory loss.
- Fever of 100°F or higher.
- High blood sugar for more than 24 hours.
- Nausea and vomiting for more than four hours.
- Problems with balance or coordination.
- Severe pain anywhere in your body.
- Trouble moving your arms or legs.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Type 2 diabetes is a disease where your body doesn’t make enough insulin and can’t use sugar the way it should. Sugar, or glucose, builds up in your blood. High blood sugar can lead to serious health complications. But Type 2 diabetes is manageable. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you manage your blood sugar. You may also need medication or insulin. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you should monitor your blood sugar at home regularly and stay in close communication with your healthcare provider.
Food With Natural Insulin
You don’t need special foods for the insulin-resistance diet. In a nutshell, you’ll eat less unhealthy fat, sugar, meats, and processed starches, and more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and lean poultry. But it can be hard to change habits. So keep some simple tips in mind before you start.
Adopt healthy habits. A crash diet won’t help you. This is about changing your approach to food. Go slowly and build new habits that can become permanent. Maybe you can drink less sugary sodas. Or quit altogether.
Make it work for you. You may enjoy different foods than what others like to eat. A diet needs to fit your taste buds and your lifestyle for you to stick with it. Most people need support along the way, so a good dietitian can be a big ally.
Don’t skip meals. You might think missing a meal means fewer calories and more weight loss. That just makes your insulin and blood sugar levels swing up and down. And that can lead to more belly fat, which makes your body more likely to resist insulin.
Focus on calories and quality. The debate over the best mix of carbs, proteins, and fats has no clear answers. Your best bet is to watch your total calories and to really make them count. So skip the white rice and go whole grain instead.
Mix it up. There’s no magic food that’ll fix everything, so vary what you eat. When you have a choice, choose the food with more vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
What to Eat
When you fix meals and snacks, here’s what to aim for.
Tons of vegetables
It’s hard to go wrong here. Take dark green, leafy veggies like spinach. They’re low in carbs and calories, and they’re packed with nutrients, so you can eat as much as you want.
Fresh vegetables are best. If you go frozen or canned, make sure there’s no added fat, salt, or sugar.
Watch out for starchy vegetables, like potatoes, peas, and corn. They have more carbs, so treat them more like grains, and don’t overdo it.
Plenty of fruit
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they’re another great choice. Swap a fruit for sweets to tame your cravings. Add berries to plain, non-fat yogurt to make it into a dessert.
Again, fresh is best. Make sure to avoid canned fruits with syrup added. And remember that fruits count as carbs.
High fiber
When you eat more than 50 grams of fiber a day, it helps balance your blood sugar. Almonds, black beans, broccoli, lentils, and oatmeal and are all rich in fiber.
Limited carbs
You can eat carbs, but cut back on them and pick wisely. Go for carbs in fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, and low-fat dairy instead of processed foods like white bread and pasta.
Whole grains that haven’t been turned into flour are even better. So for breakfast, choose oats over toast.
Lean protein
You want to make sure to get enough protein, but not when it’s loaded with fat. Limit beef, lamb, and pork, and stick with:
- Chicken or turkey without the skin
- Fish, such as albacore tuna, sardines, and salmon
- Low-fat cheese and egg whites
- Proteins from plants, like beans, lentils, and nut butter
Healthy fats
Swapping out saturated and trans fats for healthy ones can lower insulin resistance. That means less meat, full-fat dairy, and butter, and more olive, sunflower, and sesame oils.
Low-fat dairy
With low-fat milk and plain, nonfat yogurt, you get calcium, protein, and fewer calories. Plus, several studies show that low-fat dairy lowers insulin resistance.
If you’re used to full-fat, you can dial it down slowly. So maybe try 1% or 2% milk for a while before switching to skim.
What to Limit or Avoid
Try your best to stay away from:
Processed foods, often have added sugar, fat, and salt. If it comes in cans, boxes, wrappers, and another packaging, it’s probably processed.
Saturated and trans fats, can boost insulin resistance. These come mainly from animal sources, such as meats and cheese, as well as foods fried in partially hydrogenated oils.
Sweetened drinks, like soda, fruit drinks, iced teas, and vitamin water, can make you gain weight.
Suffering from Diabetes? 7 amazing foods to control your blood sugar levels
- If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you may consume these amazing herbs, spices, vegetables and fruits to control your sugar naturally and effectively.
Diabetes is something that one has to battle for life once diagnosed. It is important to keep the blood sugar levels in check or it can increase your risk of cardiac problems, stroke, kidney diseases, blindness etc. You get diabetes when either your body doesn’t make enough insulin (Type 1 Diabetes) or is not able to use it effectively (Type 2 Diabetes).
So, if you are experiencing too much urination, fatigue, thirst, getting hungry too often, facing vision problems or your wounds are not healing quickly, it’s time to schedule an appointment with doctor.
10 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes
According to the World Health Organization, the number of people with diabetes rose nearly 300 percent between 1980 and 2014. In honor of World Diabetes Day (November 14), here are 10 ways you can reduce your risk of diabetes.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, then apart from taking medication that your doctor has suggested, you can also consume foods that naturally control your blood glucose levels. These natural herbs, spices, vegetables and fruits will work wonders for your energy levels, says Dr. Samudrika Patil, Clinical Endocrinologist and CEO, Vedicure Healthcare & Wellness and also suggests these 7 amazing foods to include in your diet.
1. Neem
Neem is an age-old herb that has been trusted by people for many years. From skin purification, dental and skin issues to de-toxification, there is so much that Neem can do. “Neem has these chemicals called flavonoids, glycosides, and triterpenoids which help suppress surge of glucose . You can have it twice daily in the form of powder, add it to your tea, water or meals for maximum benefits,” says Dr. Patil.
2. Bitter Gourd
Your grandmother is absolutely correct when she convinces you to have a juice of bitter gourd every day for overall well-being. It is a perfect ‘anti-Diabetes’ vegetable and has charatin and momordicin which help in reducing blood sugar levels in diabetics. “You can have bitter gourd juice in morning. You could add amla or a vegetable of your choice to it and sprinkle in a little black pepper and salt,” says Dr. Patil.
3. Ginger
Ginger is found in every Indian kitchen since time immemorial and has innumerable benefits. It is in fact very effective in regulating insulin secretion. “You could have ginger in your tea, or take ginger-turmeric milk. Keep in mind that it should be mostly raw rather than cooked. You could also consume dry ginger powder,” adds Dr. Patil.
4. Jamun
Jamun is a wonder fruit for people with Diabetes as it is very good in controlling sugar. Jamun has a compound called jamoboline. Jamboline is mostly present in jamun seeds which helps in lowering blood sugar which is excreted in urine. It enhances insulin sensitivity which is basically the opposite of insulin resistance. While insulin resistance means your body is not effectively using it, insulin sensitivity aids in better utilization of insulin. Jamun increases insulin sensitivity that helps with diabetes. Another thing that jamun controls is impaired fasting glucose.
5. Fenugreek
Methi helps to improve glucose tolerance in the body. It is high in soluble fibre and helps control blood sugar level by slowing digestion and absorption of carbohydrates.
6. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is again a wonderful spice that triggers insulin activity and increases insulin sensitivity which means that it increases your body’s ability to use insulin effectively. “Recommended dose of cinnamon excerpt is 250 mg twice a day. You can have it before meals,” advises Dr. Patil.
7. Ginseng
It is a root of plant that is grown primarily in North America and it improves your response to secretion of insulin. Just like fenugreek or jamun, it improves response of your body’s existing cells to insulin and for more secretion. “You can have 3 gm of it daily. Anybody who’s on blood thinners like aspirin, however, would not benefit from it,” says Dr. Patil.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any illness. Consult your doctor/hospital or an expert for any health issues.