Читать книгу 16 Myths of a Diabetic Diet - Karen Hanson Chalmers - Страница 7

INTRODUCTION

People with diabetes have identified “diet” as one of the most difficult parts of managing their condition. The word “diet” simply means “the food we eat to nourish our bodies.” Diet is important to all people because the way you nourish your body affects growth and development, influences how you prevent and fight disease, and dictates your weight, energy level, and how you feel every day. Unfortunately, over the years, the term “diet” seems to have taken on a different meaning, particularly for those with diabetes. Currently, there are many misconceptions and a lot of negativity associated with the term.

The term diabetic diet has been around for centuries, dating as far back as 1550 B.C. Fortunately, since then many positive changes have taken place in nutrition science as it relates to diabetes. From the earliest treatment using rigidly controlled, semi-starvation diets to the “all foods can fit” thinking at the beginning of the 21st century, we have now arrived at nutrition science as we know it today, a science we call medical nutrition therapy.

Today, more and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes. For many, their first thoughts and questions usually center on food: “What can I eat?”, “What foods should I avoid?”, “How much can I eat?”, “Do I have to give up all of my favorite foods?”, “Am I always going to feel restricted?” The list goes on and on. Today, more and more people with diabetes are seeking a registered dietitian’s care and counseling so that they can update their knowledge about food and diabetes and develop a realistic and individualized meal plan, together with their dietitian, to ensure healthy eating. Learning about current research and how it relates to food is essential for managing your diabetes.

Here are some of the facts you will learn when you meet with a registered dietitian:

• Food that is good for you is the same food that is good for the whole family!

• You can fit foods that contain sugar into your daily intake—you do not have to give up your favorite foods!

• You can eat a wide choice of foods—variety in meal planning is “in,” restriction of foods is “out.”

• Standardized “diabetic diets” are a thing of the past.

• Special “diet” foods are not needed—all foods can fit!

• Fats are now categorized as “healthy” or “unhealthy,” and avoiding all fat is not the best option.

• Registered dietitians provide meal-planning options that are individualized and realistic, based on what you are willing and able to do.

• Moderate weight loss can result in improved blood sugar control and reaching an “ideal” body weight is not necessary.

• Eliminating carbohydrate from your diet and eating large amounts of protein is not a good substitute for healthy eating and weight loss.

• Snacks between meals and at bedtime are optional and certain types of foods work best to achieve satiety.

• Special vitamins and minerals are not needed for people with diabetes.

• Exercise does not have to involve a gym and spandex!

• Creating a plan before dining out can help you choose healthy options that are available at most restaurants.

• Old family recipes can be modified to make them lower in fat, carbohydrate, sodium, and calories.

One of the most important messages offered by your diabetes team is how to fit diabetes into your lifestyle rather than fitting your lifestyle into your diabetes. An important part of doing that is through learning the updated facts about healthy food choices for you and your family. We hope this book will serve as an important resource where you can find the most current information and research about nutrition and diabetes. Explore the 16 most common misconceptions about a diabetic diet—the first being that there even is such a thing! Moving beyond these myths is the best way to ensure the best management of your diabetes and ensure that you continue to enjoy the pleasures of the table.