Type 2 diabetes diets are the best way to control your diabetes, or prevent it if you have not yet developed the condition. In fact, with type 2 diabetes, diet may be the best prevention method for reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place. Individuals with high risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to family history, ethnicity, or body type should consider taking steps early to prevent it.
With type 2 diabetes, cells in the body do not receive the glucose they need to perform essential cell functions. Instead, the glucose stays in the blood, building up and causing high levels of blood sugar. Doctors diagnose the diabetes condition by confirming a fasting blood sugar level greater than or equal to 126 milligrams per deciliter, which is measured via a blood test. A healthy fasting blood sugar level is defined as less than 100 milligrams per deciliter.
In a normal body, a hormone called insulin regulates the transfer of glucose from the blood into the cells. An individual suffering from type 2 diabetes either does not produce enough insulin in the pancreas, or suffers from a condition known as insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, the pancreas performs its job properly, but the body does not recognize the insulin that is produced. In both cases, because the insulin is not readily available for use, glucose is not properly transferred from the bloodstream to the cells that need it.
Type 2 diabetes diets are low in fat. Studies have shown that levels of body fat, as well as an excessive consumption of fatty foods, are contributing factors in your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Reducing your overall fat intake in itself will reduce your risk, as will lowering your body fat by losing weight and toning your body. Therefore, to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, diets should consist of proteins, whole grains, and vegetables. If eating healthy is difficult for you, it might help to start with simple substitutions. Try replacing fatty dairy products with low-fat or nonfat varieties, and look for lean varieties and cuts of meats.
In addition to diet, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or controlled with exercise. Regular exercise can help keep your body toned, helping you maintain a healthy level of body fat. Keeping your body fat low via exercise is another good way to prevent or control type 2 diabetes, supplementing diet in the quest to keep that insulin flowing and working like it should.
Whether you have already been diagnosed or simply worry about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise are important steps toward better health. Only you can take the steps!
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