Type Two Diabetes: Recommended Nutrients

Type two diabetes is a big problem these days . In this form of diabetes, the pancreas can produce insulin, but not enough or the body cells do not respond normally. Therefore, type two diabetes can be considered as an insulin resistance.

In the beginning, the pancreas tries to compensate for this resistance by producing more insulin. Over time, the body can sometimes no longer maintain this increased production.

Then it is unable to produce enough insulin to maintain a normal level in the blood. In combination with the lower uptake of glucose by the cells , this causes the sugar to build up in the blood. This can cause two different problems:

• One problem is that the cells don’t have enough energy.
• On the other hand, the high blood sugar levels can damage the patient’s eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

Type two diabetes can be controlled with certain lifestyle changes. Maintaining a balanced diet, taking medications and injecting insulin are some examples of how type two diabetes is often controlled.

In addition, there are certain nutrients that can be good for people with diabetes because they help regulate blood sugars. Today we will look at them.

The Best Nutrients for Type Two Diabetes

Dietary changes, regular exercise, and medical treatments can all help regulate the body’s glucose levels. A good diet is the most important treatment for type two diabetes. Now let’s take a look at what is a healthy diet for this disease.

1. Carbohydrates

Sugars, including glucose, are part of the carbohydrates. Therefore, many people might think that reducing or eliminating their intake of sugars can control or cure diabetes.

However, it is not that easy. Eliminating or reducing sugar consumption is not enough to fully treat the disease. Carbohydrates can be divided into 2 groups: simple and complex carbohydrates. Both play an important role in diabetes.

‘Simple’ sugars or simple carbohydrates quickly release a large amount of glucose into the blood. Products that contain a lot of simple sugars include:

• sugar
• fruit
• fruit juices
• soft drinks with sugar
• milk and custard
• chocolate
• pastry

Starch or ‘complex’ carbohydrates are absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly and in a healthier way as sugar. You can find complex carbohydrates in:

• brown rice
• whole-weat pasta
• potatoes
• Whole grain bread
• whole grains

Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the total carbohydrate intake to control diabetes. You can do this by avoiding certain products such as candy or eating a smaller amount.

2. Stevia as a natural sweetener substitute

When it comes to natural sweeteners, stevia is one of the most important, as it imparts flavor without adding calories or glucose. Stevia is excellent for people with diabetes.

It helps to stabilize the glucose level and keep it at a more normal level. For this reason, it can be said to counteract the effects of type two diabetes when used as a sugar substitute.

It can also have (indirect) positive effects on glucose tolerance and body weight. Therefore, it is a beneficial ingredient with good properties for people with diabetes.

3. Oils and Fats

Unlike carbohydrates, the consumption of fatty foods usually does not directly affect diabetes. However, excessive consumption of these foods can lead to glucose regulation problems.

That’s because it can also lead to obesity, and some types of fat can alter a person’s metabolism and general health, especially those who have diabetes.

For this reason, it is recommended to avoid saturated fats. These fats are usually found in foods such as:

• fatty meats such as burgers and bacon
• fried food
• hard butter

Instead of eating these products, it is better to choose foods with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats. The foods with these fats include:

• Fatty fish
• nuts
• vegetable oils

4. Fiber

Finally, fiber is very good for supporting the fight against diabetes. For example, foods that contain a lot of fiber are

• oats and barley
• fruit
• vegetables
• legumes

Fiber slows down digestion and carbohydrate absorption. For this reason, they can help regulate elevated blood sugar levels after meals. Therefore, fiber can help control glycemic levels in people suffering from diabetes.