Nuts are fruits. They have hard outer part and seed inside. Nuts can also include legumes. Examples are walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, etc. Diabetes is a condition of elevated blood sugar level. They include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes of the young(MODY). Diabetes can affect both young and adult people. Type 1 diabetes is commoner in young people and types 2 diabetes is commoner in adults.
How Does Eating Nuts Blood Sugar Level?
Eating nuts help reduce your cholesterol level. Even though the major problem in diabetes is an increase in the level of sugar in the blood, lowering cholesterol level(most especially bad cholesterol) is of a good advantage for people with diabetes(most especially type 2 diabetes). This is because increased blood glucose level in diabetes predisposes diabetes patients to narrow of their arteries. High level of cholesterol (especially low-density lipoproteins aka bad cholesterol), can further worsen the narrowing. This can predispose to development of stroke, peripheral vascular disease, problems with kidney (diabetic nephropathy), etc. Nuts like peanuts, pistachios helps to lower the level of bad cholesterol.
Nuts also have effects on the glycemic index. Glycemic index of carbohydrates indicates the rate at which the body absorbs the carbohydrate. Nuts generally have a low glycemic index. Adding nuts like almonds to some of your carbohydrate food as you eat helps to reduce the rate at which the carbohydrate is absorbed and hence reduce the rate of rising in the blood sugar level. This will be helpful for you as a diabetes patient.
Another benefit of nut is in relation to heart condition in people with diabetes mellitus. It has been speculated that most of the people with diabetes may die from problems with heart disease. But it is an interesting thing to know that eating nuts like almond and walnuts can help reduce the risk. Almond is rich in vitamin E. They prevent the development of plaques which can narrow and obstructs the arteries. Omega-3 fatty acids increase the level of good cholesterol. It is an unsaturated fat. The cholesterol transported in high density lipoproteins is called good cholesterol. The cholesterol is transported from cells and peripheral tissues to the liver. This helps to reduce the risk of development of atherosclerosis and hence the development of heart condition problem. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, nuts like cashew, walnuts, macadamia have lower level of C-reactive proteins. C-reactive proteins are a risk factor for stroke and development of heart disease. Eating nuts therefore reduce the risk of development of stroke and heart disease in patients with diabetes (most especially type 2 diabetes). Patients with diabetes are usually predisposed to the development of stroke and heart disease has earlier mentioned.
Healthy diet for healthy glucose level
You need to control your blood glucose level most especially if you have diabetes, failure to do so will hamper your health. If you have diabetic foot, no matter any treatment you are receiving for it, you will have poor healing of the foot if you will not control your blood glucose level as you ought to do so. Diet plan for people with diabetes is not usually different from the one for people without diabetes. The food should have reduced sugar level; it is not necessary for the food to be free of sugar. Examples of food that have low carbohydrate level are meat(e.g., lamb, beef), fish (e.g., trout), vegetables(e.g., cauliflowers, broccoli), high-fat dairy products like butter and yogurt, eggs like a pastured egg, e.t.c.The food should be rich in fiber (fruits rich in fiber includes coconuts, cranberries, raspberries, coconuts, pomegranates, etc.). Another thing to consider in the choice of food if you have diabetes is that the food should be high in starchy carbohydrate, especially foods. Foods with lower glycemic index have slower absorption; hence when they are eaten, they do not bring about quick rise in blood glucose level. Foods with lower glycemic index include pasta, sweet potatoes, corn, oat bran, legumes, and lentils. Other forms of food are the ones that have a high level of fiber. Fibers do not raise blood glucose level. This is because they are not absorbed the same way other carbohydrates are absorbed. Part of ingested fibers passes through the gastrointestinal tract without being digested and absorbed into the body. Foods rich in fibers include oatmeal, beans, etc.
You should also try to make sure that your food has low fat, most especially saturated fat. If you are used to taking alcohol, you may not need to abstain from taking it. But it will be+
Good for you to take into account the energy content of the alcohol you are taking. And you also need to know that alcohol tends causing delayed hypoglycemia in people who are treated with insulin.
Some other classes of food that you need to consider their choice when you are deciding your diet plans are proteins, vitamins, fat. It has been suggested that proteins should be taken has 1g/kg ideal body weight (in approximation). When you increase your protein intake your blood glucose level is not increased, albeit there will be an increase in the level of insulin secretion. There will also be a good reduction in HbA(1c). Level HbA(1c) is also known as glycated hemoglobin. Its value is vital in the diagnosis of diabetes. Its value is increased in people with diabetes. Because of this advantage of protein intake, it has been suggested that the consumption of protein for people with diabetes should be increased to 1.5 to 2g/kg ideal body weight, most especially for type 2 diabetes patients.
Has it has been said diabetes patient should feed on a diet with low saturated fats. Vitamins and antioxidants are best taken as fruits and vegetables.
Does eating too much sugar cause type 2 diabetes?
It too much sugar can cause an increase in body weight, and when the body mass index exceeds 24.9kg/m2, a person becomes obese. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes. This is how overeating sugar can cause type 2 diabetes.
How To Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Some of the ways include avoiding being overweight or engaging in a regular physical exercise to weight if you are overweight.
Eat food rich in high-density lipoprotein. Treat yourself if you have hypertension. You need to pay attention to some of these suggestions most especially if you have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is an endocrine disorder in which there is too much glucose in the blood. It can deteriorate a person’s health if not properly managed. Nuts are useful in managing diabetes. If you suspect any symptom of diabetes, you should go and see a doctor or contact your physician.
References
- Cold F, Health E, Disease H et al. Nuts Good for Some With Diabetes. WebMD. 2018. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20110708/nuts-good-some-with-diabetes. Accessed June 2, 2018.
- Nuts Will Change Your Life – Diabetes Self-Management. Diabetes Self-Management. 2018. Available at: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/nuts-will-change-your-life/. Accessed June 2, 2018.
3. Which Nuts Can a Diabetic Eat? Healthyeatingsfgatecom. 2018. Available at: http://healthyeating.sfgate.co
