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Essay on Diabetes and Diet

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Diabetes and Diet If you have diabetes, so you probably know that food is a major culprit in altering your blood sugar level. Your blood sugar is at its highest an hour or two after you eat, and then it starts to fall. What you eat, how much you eat and when you eat all affect blood sugar.

Some issues to consider:

* Consistency. Strive for consistency from day to day in the time and amount of food you eat. By controlling these factors, you can better control when your blood sugar rises and even how high it rises.

* Type of food. Food is made up of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Although all three can increase blood sugar, carbohydrates have the biggest …show more content…

That doesn't necessarily mean you have to abstain altogether. Instead, follow a few guidelines:

* Drink only moderately. If your diabetes is well controlled, you might be able to have a moderate amount of alcohol. A moderate amount is generally defined as no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women. One drink equals one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or one 1.5-ounce shot of spirits. And remember to include this in your calorie count.

* Fill up first. Don't drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Food helps moderate the effects of alcohol.

* Test your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar before drinking alcohol. If it's already low, don't have that drink, because the alcohol can push blood sugar even lower. Monitor your blood sugar before and after drinking to see how your body responds to alcohol.

* Don't drink and work out. Both alcohol and exercise can lower blood sugar. Although it may be tempting to down a couple of beers after a hard game of baseball with the guys, you risk a more severe drop in blood sugar, especially if you take insulin or oral diabetes medications. And remember, injections of the fast-acting hormone glucagon aren't useful in treating severe low blood sugar caused by alcohol. Instead, you'll need a carbohydrate, such as oral glucose tablets or gels. If you pass out, you'll need a glucose injection into your bloodstream.

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