Diabetes and diet are intensely interlinked because
once you are diagnosed for diabetes; your diet takes the center stage in
diabetes management. On a global scale
relentless research has not produced a sustainable cure for diabetes even to
date. This brings into focus the
importance of managing diabetes through a disciplined regimen of exercise and
diet complimented by prescription medication.
Diabetes and diet need not however become an
overwhelming issue because in fact, there is no such diet that is prescribed
exclusively for those who suffer from diabetes. In fact, the entire family can
very well transition to a diet regimen that can pre-empt diabetes and help
those who have already been diagnosed for diabetes. By linking diabetes and
diet, the effort is always to prevent excess carbohydrates to help control
blood sugar. Thus, even for members of
the family, whose blood sugar levels are not worrisome, it is still desirable
to control the intake of carbohydrates and potentially prevent diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are also required
to monitor the intake of proteins and total fats.
ABC of Diabetes and Diet
Before examining diabetes and diet in its details, let
us understand the ABC or the basics around this topic.
·
A – Hemoglobin
test – A1c
·
B - Blood pressure
·
C – Cholesterol
The diet regimen for individuals with diabetes will
focus on the ABC or keeping the hemoglobin, blood pressure and cholesterol
levels within permissible limits.
Alcohol avoidance
The human metabolism processes alcohol much the same
way it does with fat. The calorie value
of alcohol is also similar to fat. Therefore, avoiding alcohol is a preferable
option for diabetes control. But, for
some people the restriction can be more challenging and limiting the
consumption of alcohol should be considered by those who cannot abstain from
it. Your health care provider can advise
you on the permissible levels of alcohol considering your blood pressure and
blood sugar levels.
Glycemic index is the key factor
The Glycemic index holds the key to an efficient
diabetes and diet administration.
Glycemic index measures the impact of each food component on blood
sugar. It considers the relationship between carbohydrates in meal and blood
sugar levels. With a low glycemic index
blood sugar level after a meal is unlikely to soar. Without a guided approach to diabetes and
diet, it is likely that the individual is left free to consume food with a
higher glycemic index. Therefore,
physicians particularly trained and experienced in the treatment of diabetes ensure
that the patient is provided with a structured diet chart.
The better approach to diabetes and diet
Structuring an appropriate diet to keep diabetes under
control is never an overwhelming task. The ABC of diabetes diet gives you the basics.
The intervals between each meal (keep them shorter than usual) and what you eat
are important. Avoid junk food and choose a wider variety with plenty of
fruits, vegetables, greens, vegetables and other protein carriers like diary
products, nuts, grains and cereals. Your diet chart will help you determine the
quantity of food to be consumed for each meal. Cereals, fruits, and breads made
out of whole grains are rich in fiber. Global research so far points out that
fiber is a huge source of help in controlling diabetes and aiding near normal
life.
Keep an eye on serving sizes
The relationship between diabetes and diet cannot be
undermined. Your physician supplies you with a diet chart and this will help
you determine the quantities on each serving.
Spacing out the meal and sticking to the serving sizes will ensure that
you prevent excess calories from entering the system. Apart from serving sizes
regularity in timing is another essential component of effective diabetes
management. Any medicine prescribed
follows the meal and the timing for the medicine is the same every day. More importantly, you should never skip your
meals.
Some liberties are permissible
Contrary to popular belief, diabetes and diet does provide
some room for marginal liberties with what you eat on a given day. For
instance, many diabetic patients keep table sugar away. Sugar in any form does
hurt diabetic administration. Nevertheless, experts agree that some sugar at
well spaced intervals, particularly when it is part of a well planned diet
cannot become an overwhelming factor. Take for example the case of Mangoes.
Mangoes are seasonal and a few slices of mangoes every week during the season
cannot alter your diabetic condition significantly.
What are the challenges to
the future of food?
The
future of food faces a series of challenges and no singular solution is
available to address this massive problem. Concerted and focused effort from
every nation and every individual involved with food administration is the
vital need of the hour. Even as we are engaged in discussing the issue of food
security a couple of decades down under, we tend to skirt issues like over
consumption, hidden hunger and abject poverty in some pockets across the globe.
Food systems across the globe faces a number of potential threats and urgent
action on several fronts is essential which could include minimizing or
eliminating food waste and changing dietary habits.
Volatility
in food prices
Volatility
in food prices present multiple dimensions. When food goes beyond the reach of
the common man, it can trigger social tensions, migration and conflicts. Such a
situation can also adversely affect the economic growth of communities and
regions impacted by rising food prices. Though the World Bank for now presents
a rosy picture on the global food prices, on its own admission
large price differences are noticed between countries. Unstable/high oil prices
too contribute in a significant measure to the global volatility in food
prices. In recent times, we have already experienced how high oil prices can
impact every household and how a cascading effect topples our household
budgets.
Resource
utilization
The
rate at which we consume some of the precious resources far outstrips the
nature’s ability to replenish them. Hydrocarbons and fossil fuels is a case in
point. Every single day more and more automobiles, airplanes and other gas
guzzlers are being added to an already choked system. Fewer metros around the
world can claim to be free of traffic jams on any given day. Gas prices are
already going through the roof and we fight shy of the impending dangers that
high gas prices can trigger. Preservation/conservation of natural resources
like water and oil should be brought on to the centre stage to ensure that
future generations can enjoy similar or better quality of life in this
universe. This is a collective responsibility of every human being on this
planet and we cannot expect the law to address the problem single handedly. The
future of food should therefore be everyone’s concern and not just the
governments.
Policy
makers and the future of food
Policy makers around the world have a stellar role to
play in ensuring the future of food security. Establishing sustainable
practices in food production should become the central objective of every
policy maker around the globe. This
task, by no means, is simple and calls for active involvement from every
individual vested with the authority to implement the desired changes. In some
instances, strong political will may be necessary to reverse some of the
practices that are profitable in the immediate term but detrimental to the long
term objectives. Best practices evolved for each region should also ensure that
the eco system around the region is carefully harnessed and efforts to enhance
the ecological balance are carefully woven into the best practices. Farming
practices evolved should also factor in the inelasticity of agricultural land
and therefore, focus on getting the best out of what is available.
Reducing waste and improving decision making tools
Decision making in the context of the future of food
can be a complex process. Collecting a wide array of facts and collating them
to evolve viable solutions can consume plenty of time and labor. The quality of
information generated cannot be compromised in favor of quick decisions. Once
decisions are arrived at based on the data obtained, appropriate metrics should
be developed to ascertain progress. Another core area that should engage the
policy makers is bringing about significant improvement in managing food that
is wasted. Billions of dollars worth of food is wasted in America and elsewhere
year after and with improved management, this food can feed millions of needy
humans elsewhere on the planet.
Empowered citizens
Food security is an issue that needs to be addressed
at the grass root level. Empowering citizens and educating them on the enormity
of the problems that the future generations can face is essential to obtain
tangible results from policy decisions. Technological advancements have made it
easier to ensure efficient information percolation without physical or
linguistic barriers. When every participant in the effort to improve food
security is conscious about the consequences of his/her action, positive
results can start flowing sooner than expected. Empowering citizens is thus a
major contribution to the future of food.
