Doc Told Me I’m Diabetic – Bummer – Now What?
Fat is burned by exercise. Stored fat in the body causes you to feel more fatigued and makes you less apt to work to rid yourself of excess weight. Even if you eat moderately, but feel you don’t have the energy to a little bit of exercise, you are likely to continue to keep those extra pounds. Don’t think that you have to exercise at the gym for 3 hours a day, four or five times a week to lose some of that weight. It’s gradual exercise that is the best for you to get started with. Break that cycle of fatigue and weight by starting a little bit at a time.
Eating well balanced meals does two things for you. You can become healthier and lose some weight in the process. Well, that is if you eat fewer calories than you expend with the exercise. For example a large person can eat 2000 calories and exercise enough to use 2400 calories and the end result is inevitable . . . weight loss.
There are two schools of thought about vegetables. One supports the benefit of more enzymes in raw vegetables. The other raves about the extra flavor you can add even though you lose some of the beneficial enzymes in the cooking process. Raw fruits and vegetables provide more enzymes and fewer calories. Those vegetables that provide extra fiber in your diet also help you feel full without eating a lot of extra calories.
Freshly squeezed juices are much better than store bought. The processing procedure to package juices kills not only the bad bacteria, but a lot of the good elements we receive from juices. The solution to this problem is to use a blender at home and prepare your own juices (preferably without adding extra sugar). You need to develop a taste for certain juices such as pomegranate or guava, but when you can make your own, it is much better for you. Check the sugar content of fruits before making your juice. Some are naturally high in sugar and you may want to stay away from those. Try some guava or red grapes. Those both are great for controlling blood sugar.
Doctors say we are an obese society. (My wife types doctors’ notes. I remember when she was typing a report the doctor noted a person being obese and she said, “He better NOT say that about me when I go in!”). Well, it’s true. Fast food restaurants pour on the fat and the sugar and then want to know if we want to “super-size” it. YOUR objective is to balance the things you eat.
A lot of vegetables are rich in fiber that helps clean fats and blood glucose from your body. This helps you lower blood sugar levels. A lot of people eat salads (frequently) to maintain their diabetic diets. The real confusing part of this plan is that salad dressings many times contain mayonnaise and sugars to improve flavor. While the flavor is improved, the sugar level of the salad skyrockets to concerning levels. The main thing to consider here is either low calorie salad dresings or moderation. Moderation can be used as a control factor.
While the pancreas produces insulin to regulate the sugar level in the blood, one of it’s main purposes is to produce enzymes to help with digestion. Over time, it loses the ability to function properly in most people. Then come the problems associated with diabetes. Our job at that point is to help the body digest foods and regulate sugar levels. We may add acidophilus to help digestion. Then we regulate the diet to reduce the need for insulin production.
Four fat-fighting compounds are calcium, fiber, omega-3s and vitamin D. These things will help you in your search for good nutrition. Calcium is generally found in milk and cheeses, but remember to use fat-free or a soy milk product. Fiber is found in whole grain products, fruits and vegetables. Think bran, grapefruits and salads. Omega-3s are a product of walnuts, flax seed and fish. Finally, vitamin D can be found in dairy products, fish (tuna, salmon and sardines) and eggs.