How Can a Nutritionist Help with Diabetes?
The below article will discuss how a Nutritionist can help manage your Diabetes as part of a wider management plan.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes, put simply is a condition where the body cannot properly move sugar from the blood into cells or use it for energy. In the UK it is estimated that 1 in 15 people have diabetes. It is estimated there are 4.7 million people in the UK that are diagnosed. Shockingly with someone being diagnosed every 2 minutes. It can cause serious long-term health problems such as kidney failure and strokes. Heart attacks, blindness and lower limb amputation. There are 2 main types of diabetes (type 1 and 2).
Diabetes Type 1 (insulin dependent)
Type 1 develops when the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas stop producing any insulin. Typically the age of onset is younger than 40 years old and type 1 is less than 10% of all diabetics. Everyone with Type 1 needs to treat their diabetes by injecting insulin or using an insulin pump. Without insulin the body breaks down its own fat and muscle, which can lead to dramatic weight loss. This may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis where the bloodstream becomes acidic and the body severely dehydrated. Therefore, a balanced diet to control your blood glucose levels. So stop smoking and increase exercise are recommended for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Diabetes Type 2
Type 2 Diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin but it’s not able to regulate it properly. The beta cells in the pancreas become exhausted and overworked for some reason don’t produce enough insulin or receptors simply no longer react to the insulin, causing the body to become ‘insulin resistant’. Typically the age of onset is older than 40 years old and type 2 is more than 90% of all diabetics. Risk factors include obesity and family history. Type 2 diabetes is preventable and indeed curable. It is possible to manage diabetes type 2 with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Speak to our weight loss nutritionist at Wellthy Clinic. However 25% of type 2 diabetics will end up taking insulin. The number of diabetics is rising rapidly due to unhealthy diets, increasing levels of obesity, lack of exercise.
What does a Diabetes Nutritionist do?
The foods we consume play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. We have control over this, so it makes sense that by regulating our nutritional imbalances we can control our blood glucose levels. A nutritionist will give a personalised nutritional plan to reduce insulin sensitivity taking into account your gut health, women’s health, thyroid nutritionist and lifestyle factors. This is not to say you can never eat sugars again but it is important moderate these and find healthy alternatives. In addition to dietary strategies a nutritionist may also support you with supplement recommendations.
Diabetes Nutritionist Near Me Symptoms
With Diabetes type 2 you may not experience symptoms however you will see high levels of glucose on your routine blood tests. Also you may experience increased thirst, urination and fatigue. Furthermore, blurred vision, candida, impotence and numbness or burning sensations in your extremities.
What Foods Should Diabetics Avoid?
Avoid refined and processed foods like white flour products, sweets, chocolate, honey and cakes. Moreover, fruit juice and any fizzy drinks also should be avoided. Furthermore alcohol, fatty meats and dairy should be reduced.
What Foods can Diabetics Eat Freely?
Fibrous vegetables, plenty of salad greens and lean protein like chickpeas, lentils, beans and fish. Complex carbohydrates like quinoa, brown rice and rolled oats. For meals and snacks always try to have some fat, protein and carbohydrates (not just carbohydrates).
What are Good Carbs for Diabetes?
Complex carbohydrates are the best as they keep you full for longer and keep your blood sugar levels steady. Foods that mostly contain simple carbohydrates like pastries, packaged biscuits, fizzy drinks provide an instant source of energy. However they are digested quickly and will spike your blood sugar levels. After that you will experience the post sugar (or carb) crash and feel hungry again shortly afterwards. Conversely, complex carbs take longer to digest so they release sugar more slowly to help us feel fuller for longer.
Stress and Type 2 Diabetes
Stress stimulates the release of various hormones, which can result in elevated blood glucose levels. It is a normal response however for people with Diabetes as a result of the relative or absolute lack of insulin, stress-induced increases in glucose cannot be metabolised properly (Surwit et al 1992). Therefore stress considered to be a contributing factor to Diabetes. Learn how to reduce stress levels naturally as part of a wider Diabetes management plan.
Is Coffee OK for Diabetics?
Sleep is important for regulating many physiologic functions that relate to metabolism. Because of this, there is substantial evidence to suggest that sleep habits and sleep disorders are related to diabetes risk. Sleep duration, poor sleep quality, insomnia and sleep apnea. These have all been associated with diabetes risk (Grandner 2016). Therefore good sleep hygiene is important and addressing the causes for poor sleep like unhealthy food intake. Along with smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol and caffiene use can be beneficial.
What is the Best Nutrition for Diabetes?
A well balanced diet with plenty of organic vegetables to help control your blood sugar and insulin levels. But first understanding the cause of your diabetes, how best to manage your symptoms and then how to achieve optimal health. This is how we can help you. Speak to our nutritionist in a 15min FREE session to ask questions and better understand the process.
Does Health Insurance Covers Nutritional therapy?
Yes WPA Health Insurance and CIGNA covers Nutritional Therapy. Our WPA Nutritional therapist is registered and able to deliver sessions to help reduce your IBS symptoms.
Diabetes Nutritionist Near me
You can book your initial Nutrition consultation either face to face at our Nutrition Center in London or online. We also offer a complimentary 15 minute nutrition Q&A session to discuss your symptoms and answer any questions you may have. Contact us to organise a time that best suits you.
More Resources On Diet Plans
References
American Diabetes Association (2013) Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2013 https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/36/Supplement_1/S11
Grandner et al (2016) Sleep Duration and Diabetes Risk: Population Trends and Potential Mechanisms https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27664039/
Gray, A. & Threlkeld, R. (2019) Nutritional Recommendations for Individuals with Diabetes Endotext https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279012/#
Pedersen (2017) Anti inflammatory effects of exercise: role in diabetes and cardiovascular disease European Journal of Clinical Investigation https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eci.12781
Surwit et al (1992) Stress and Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Care https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1425110/
Eleonora Sansoni
Eleonora is a Nutritional therapist who graduated from the college of Naturopathic medicine.