Pictures Of Diabetes
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are some pictures of diabetes, or I should say pictures of what diabetes can do to you if it’s left untreated. Remember, diabetes is preventable, treatable and reversible…this doesn’t have to be you.
2 Ways Gestational Diabetes Affects Your Baby
If gestational diabetes is not tested for or ignored it can have few adverse effects on your newborn baby.
Macrosomia
Macrosomia occurs when your baby weighs more than 8.8 pounds. This excessive weight gain is caused by the mother passing too much sugar to the baby and the baby inturn converting this sugar to fat. Macrosomia can cause premature birth or forced cesarean delivery.
Neonatal Hypoglycemia
Neonatal hypoglycemia occurs when the baby is born with low levels of sugar for the first few hours of life. After delivery the baby is no longer receiving all that extra sugar from the mother, however the baby is still producing extra insulin for a few hours (or even a few days) causing “below normal” levels of blood sugar. Babies born with neonatal hypoglycemia exhibit shakes, fussiness and even respiration distress. All of these effects usually subside in a few hours once the baby’s pancrease begins to normalize.
Signs of Gestational Diabetes
The usual signs of gestational diabetes are continuous bouts of unquenchable thirst, increased urination, blurred vision and rapid weight gain. Most of these gestational diabetes symptoms can easily be confused for normal symptoms of pregnancy, so it’s important that you request a gestational diabetes test from your doctor when you enter your 3rd trimester. If any of the symptoms mentioned above occur earlier (as in the first or second trimester) please consult your doctor right away!
Insulin Resistance: What Is Insulin Resistance
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance occurs when your muscle, fat (lipo) and liver cells stop responding to the effects of insulin. When this happens the pancreas tries to make more and more insulin, however it can’t keep up with the demand for insulin and eventually glucose levels in the body start to rise. If insulin resistance is not diagnosed and halted it eventually turns into Type II Diabetes.
So, what causes Insulin Resistance?
Extra fat tissue reduces the effectiveness of the insulin hormone.
Can I reverse Insulin Resistance?
Yes!!! With diet and excercise. Every pound in body fat lost increase the effectiveness of insulin. You don’t have to go on some sort of crash diet, just try to lose about 5-10 pounds and then get re-tested for insulin resistance.
Insulin 101 - How Does Insulin Work
Insulin is a hormone produced by our pancreas that allows glucose (the most basic fuel for any cell) to enter the cell and thus give the cell energy to carry out normal functions.
So, how does insulin relate to Diabetes?
In Type 1 diabetes NO insulin is ever produced. This is a condition that can be fatal over time if regular insulin shots are not given on timely and correct basis.
In Type 2 diabetes not enough insulin is produced by the pancreas and insulin must be provided via an external source (shots, oral or inhaled).
What are the effects of little or no insulin?
- being extremely tired since cell cannot get enough energy
- urinating a lot since the body is trying to excrete all that extra glucose
- organ damage from elevated glucose levels.
Diabetic Diet Blueprint - Commonalities in all Diabetic Diets
Diabetic Diets are highly effective whether you have type I or type II diabetes.
Almost all diabetic diets are comprised of about 50% carbs, 20% protein and 30% fat coupled with a daily workout. Diabetic diets are involve smart choices (foods low in carbs and sugar) and controlled proportions. Diabetic diets are customised based on age, weight and daily activity level.
Diabetic diets are usually not focused on eliminating your sugar consumption, but instead they are designed to help you curb sugar and carb intake, while coupling daily exercise to aid in weight loss. Weight loss is the key to controling diabetes and it’s disabling effects.
1200 calorie diabetic diet portions
On a 1200 calorie diet that is comprised of 50% carbohydrates, you can consume a total of ten servings of carbs per day.
How you choose to eat these servings will directly affect your blood sugar, so you should try to keep it consistent from day to day. Of course, keeping your sugars adjusted to stay at healthy levels is key, so you may need to up or down your servings of carbs.
The bottom line is this, try to space out your carbs into at least 3 meals a day. Also, the fiber in the carbs the better your blood sugars will be!
Shopping For Food When You’re Diabetic - 5 Tips - Tip 1
Determining the total amount of carbs that are in your foods is paramount. Newly diagnosed individuals with Type II diabetes often think that actual sugar is the only ingrediant that can raise their blood sugars, however this is not true. Foods that are high in starchs/carbs like white breads, pretzels and pasta can and will raise your blood sugars as well…it’s not just candy! You see, carbs get converted by your metabolism to sugar. When shopping for foods that contain carbohydrates try not to buy anything that contains 10 grams of total carbs (shoot for less if you can). Remember the lower the carbs the better your sugar levels will be.
What Is Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a short term form of Type II Diabetes that arises during pregnancy and typically vanishes after birth. Gestational diabetes begins when your body is unable to make and utilize all the insulin it requires for pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects the mother in later in pregnancy, just after the baby’s body has begun developing.
Gestational diabetes presents in about 6% of all pregnancies, affecting 120,000 mothers in the United States alone each year. Gestational diabetes is oftentimes treatable with a meal plan and physical exercise. Gestational diabetes is more common in over weight and minority mothers and puts them at increased jeopardy for poor fetal outcome and for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
The American Diabetic Diet
Over 1 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year and over 200,000 deaths are attributed to the disease. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or if you simply want to take better care of how you eat, it is to your benefit to follow the American Diabetic Diet in order to keep your diabetes under control.
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics must learn to follow a diabetic diet plan in order to stay healthy. When following the right meal plan, such as the American Diabetic Diet, diabetic patients are able to effectively control their blood sugar without the need for medications.
The reason the American Diabetic Diet is so highly effective is because it comprises all food groups. The American Diabetic Diet plan recommends food high in mono unsaturated fats or polyunsaturated fats and low in saturated fats. Most of the calories recommended in the American Diabetic Diet come primarily from carbohydrates, second from fats, then from proteins.
The American Diabetic Diet is to be followed daily and carries the following recommendations:
· 5 portions fresh fruit and vegetables (spinach, broccoli and carrots)
· 6 portions whole grains (cereals, bread and pasta)
· 2 portions (meat, fish or chicken)
· Dairy products (eggs, skim milk, non-fat cheese, yogurt even low-fat ice cream)
Everyone’s make-up is different, so too are their bodily requirements. Some require high calorie consumption. The American Diabetic Diet accommodates this group of people.
The American Diabetic Diet plan for the people requiring 1200-1600 calorie consumption includes:
· Three portions fruits and vegetables
· Two portions milk, yogurt and meat
· Three portions of fats
· Six portions of starches
The American Diabetic Diet plan for people requiring 1600-2000 calorie consumption includes:
· Three portions fruits
· Four portions vegetables
· Two portions milk, yogurt and meat
· Four portions of fats
· Eight portions of starches
The American Diabetic Diet plan for diabetic people requiring 2000-2400 calorie consumption include:
· Three portions fruits
· Four portions vegetables
· Two portions milk, yogurt and meat
· Five portions of fats
· Eleven portions of starches
Popular belief is that diabetic people are not to eat sweets. This is not always the case. The American Diabetic Diet recommends eating sweets but in limited amounts. It is important to eat low-calorie sweets or artificial sweeteners as a substitute for sugar.
The American Diabetic Diet plan is helpful not only for people suffering from diabetes, but for everyone. People who have diabetes have the same nutritional needs as everyone else. The need for regular exercise is also the same for those with diabetes as it is for those without.
Incorporating exercise and the American Diabetic Diet, along with individually prescribed medications, are essential for managing diabetes. By having a well-balanced diet and choosing the right types of foods, the diabetic can move their blood sugar back towards regular levels. Controlling blood glucose levels is the primary goal of the American Diabetic Diet.
Be healthy and live a longer, happier life through the American Diabetic Diet. Prior to implementing the American Diabetic Diet, please consult your health care physician.