Is there a way I can depend on diet completely and not need to take any medicine?
Answer
This depends on how high your blood sugar level is and the health state of your pancreas.
It may also depend on your weight and lipid profile.
If your are slim and doing exercise already you might need to take some medications. If you are obese and your blood sugar is not very high there might be a way to maintain your blood sugar level without medication, at least in the beginning.
This will be through loosing weight and also starting some exercise.
Name
ola
- Egypt
Profession
Question
What is the difference between glucose and fructose, and why do diabetic patients prefer to take fructose sugar?
Answer
Glucose is the the end product of carbohydrates digestion. Fructose is the fruit sugar. It doesn't raise blood sugar as much as glucose.
The glycemic index of fructose is lower than that of glucose. Fruits, which are the source of fructose, also have fibers that helps in delaying glucose absorption. This makes the rise in the blood sugar level slower and more gradual than when glucose is used.
So it is definitely better to eat fruits rather than eating simple sugar as in sweets.
Name
abdulateef
- Nigeria
Profession
student
Question
I'm a medical student, I did urinalysis like thrice now. On the three occasions I had discovered traces of some glucose in my urine,does it mean I'm diabetic?
Answer
It is better to check your blood sugar to state that you are diabetic and not just the urine, since this depends on how much sugar you ate before that test.
If you eat too much sugar sometimes it goes into urine not because we have diabetes, but simply because you ate more than the kidney can absorb and filtrate back into the body.
Name
Mahmoud Eissa
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How can I know beyond a doubt that I am diabetic? I go to the bathroom alot and I'm always thirsty, does that mean I have diabetes?
Answer
This has so many meanings! maybe you do drink a lot.
The best way to know is to test your blood sugar levels. The best test to confirm beyond a doubt is not the usual way of testing, but to do what is called hemoglobin A1c or glycosylated heamoglobin.
This shows your blood sugar fingerprints. It is very much like video recording your blood sugar level over a period of three months 24/7
It is more indicative than just testing your blood sugar to see if it is above the normal levels.
Name
Majeda
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
Question
I am 29 and I am diabetic, my medication is by insulin, what is the best diet I can follow to improve the action of my medication if there are any?
thank you for helping us.
Answer
Good news are diabetics should eat just like non-diabetics if they are eating healthy.
First of all you should know that there is nothing forbidden, just eat in moderation and be wise. Complex carbohydrates are the best such as beans (fava or soy beans). Lentils and peas are good too. Fruits are very good as a source for Vitamins and minerals and also fibers.
Spreed your meals throughout the day. Try to include a source of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and a source of fibers such as fruits and vegetables in your meal.
Lets say tuna fish in 2 slices of whole wheat bread + 2 - 4 slices of lettuce and 2 - 3 slices of tomato + half a pear or 2 dates with a cup of water.
You may either have half of a bran or whole wheat bread + 4 spoons of fava beans + one tea spoon of olive oil with a big ball of salad and a small piece of fruit.
Then you adjust your insulin level to match. This should be done under the supervision of your physician.
Name
Mohanad
- Morocco
Profession
Question
Is there are any types of food that help in decreasing blood glucose level?
Answer
Vegetables, especially those with high fiber contents such as brocolli, cauliflower, green pepper and celery, when combined with complex carbs as beans and some pasta is a diabetes-friendly mixture.
Add to all that the best things to reduce blood sugar, weight reduction and exercise. EXERCISE on a daily basis is to be emphasized to the end of the page. Walking for an hour a day is your best blood sugar reducing agent.
Name
Maha
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Dear Doctor:
What are the most prohibited foods if I am diabetic? Does it differ if I am a type1 or type 2 diabetes?
Thanks
Answer
There is nothing called prohibited food for diabetics if you are eating in moderation.
But what we can say is what are the foods that are more healthy for both diabetics and non-diabetics.
Of course, simple sugars in sweets are not the best to have, but still you can have a small piece in birthday parties. Not too much though. If you are going to do so you have to calculate how many grams of sugar is there and how much insulin you would need for that amount in that occasion.
We can also say what is the preferred food for good heath which is also the food which is best for diabetics and I would say it it fruits and vegetables, whole grains bread, and in the protein group it is skimmed milk. And try to eat food that is grilled or broiled, and to have 1-2 days per week with no animal protein.
For type 1 diabetes you should know how many grams of carbohydrates are there in the meal and try to have it from pasta, wholewheat bread or beans and count insulin units for this amount.For type 1 try not to have more than 45-60 grams of carbs/meal.
Name
Nadeem
- Palestine
Profession
Question
I am using diet sweetener as a substitute for glucose and they are all aspartames, but i heard that they are carcinogenic on the long run, is it right? and if there are any substitution for glucose sugar other than aspartames?
Answer
If you use 2-3 sachets/day that is fine but better than this is to try to cut down on your regular sugar intake very very gradually. Say if you need 3 teaspoons per cup, try to make it 2 and 3 quarters for a while then go a head and cut it down to 2 and a half and so on within a 6 - 8 month period according to your tolerance. By time you would not need to use sugar substitutes.
Name
Khalid
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
Are there special categories of food that help control the blood sugar level?
Answer
There are three categories of food classified as very good, good and not so good.
The very good includes wholegrain non-frosted breads and cereals, pasta, beans peas, bugler unrefined wheat, and leafy vegetables (such as string beans ,okra broccoli, cauliflower, apples and pears with skin).
The next list that is good is brown rice, brown toast and sweet potatoes, oranges and peaches.
The last is the rest of the breads such as Italian's white bread, bananas, raisins and pineapples which is recommended to be eaten sparingly - for example not more than 2-3 times /week.
Name
Afnan
- Bahamas
Profession
Question
I have a child with type one diabetes, and it is very difficult to manage his diet because he is a child - he wants to eat chocolate and sweets, is there are any diet plans especially for children to protect them and in the same time satisfy them?
Answer
There is no need to restrict everything as he is just a child and also chocolate is not that bad. Just try to instate healthy eating habits as in any other child an give chocolates on certain occasions.
Also try to know how many grams of sugar are there in this piece of chocolate and try to choose a small one with nuts. Also try to gradually teach him to have fruits as his source of sweets and rewards.
Kids should eat everything to grow well. Increase his vegetables intake, try to use different colors of fruit to make the plate look attractive to him.
And the most important thing in managing your child's diabetes is you yourself. You need to become a model to him. Model for him healthy ways of eating with sweets and sugars on certain occasions and parties and not all the time as I mentioned earlier.
Name
Mariam
- Canada
Profession
Question
What exactly affects a diabetic person, the amount of calorie intake or the type of food??
Answer
The most important factor is the calories we eat in each meal and the whole calories we eat through the whole day.
