Useful Hacks for Type 2 Diabetes People - Lifestyle, Recipes & More
Diabetes is a health condition in which your body’s ability to synthesise glucose is impeded. This results in an inappropriate or no production of insulin that results in an enhanced level of sugar in one’s blood. (1)
Reports suggest that there are 422 million people in the world who suffer from diabetes. (2)
There has been a rampant increase in the quantum of population that is affected by this disease. The reason for the same can be attributed to lifestyle changes and environmental factors in addition to genetic tendencies. In light of these facts, it won’t be wrong to say that lifestyle modification for diabetes can go a long way in managing this health condition in an effective way.
What is Diabetes II?
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong health condition that requires the patient to make some lifestyle changes for diabetes management. Type 2 diabetes can be attributed to a faulty lifestyle and poor dietary choices and therefore, one can effectively manage this condition with proper medication and diet.
The body of a type 2 diabetic will synthesise the carbohydrates present in the food that is consumed to produce glucose but the insulin produced by the pancreas won’t be able to properly use that glucose to fuel the body. (3)
This will result in an enhanced blood sugar level which can cause serious health implications if this condition is left unchecked.
Symptoms of Diabetes II
It is important to note that the symptoms of type 2 diabetes take a while to develop and hence a person could be living with this condition without having any idea about it.
It is important to take note of the following symptoms and opt for medical intervention as soon as possible.
1. Increased thirst:
Due to an increased presence of sugar in your body, the kidneys work proactively to get that sugar out of your system which causes dehydration.
2. Dry mouth
Dehydration can make your mouth feel dry as well. This is one of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
3. Unintentional weight loss
When you pee a lot as your kidneys are working overtime, there is a probability that you will experience weight loss as well.
4. Lack of energy
A person who has type 2 diabetes will feel weak because his/her body won’t be able to properly utilise the food to fuel the body with energy. Fatigue is amongst the most common signs of diabetes.
5. Blurred vision and headaches
High sugar levels in the blood can give rise to blurred vision and unexplained headaches. (4)
If any of these systems persist for an extended period of time, it is advisable to go visit a doctor at the earliest to solicit appropriate medical intervention.
Problems associated with Diabetes II
There are a number of problems attributed to type 2 diabetes. If this health condition is left untreated or unchecked, it can lead to the following problems.
1. People with type 2 diabetes should regularly get their eyes screened to check for any anomalies. Loss of vision and blindness is often associated with type 2 diabetes.
2. Kidney failure is another serious health problem that can result due to type 2 diabetes.
3. If this health problem is left untreated then lower leg amputation can be a big problem. Therefore, it is really important that you address this issue properly by making appropriate lifestyle modifications for diabetes.
Causes of Diabetes II
Type 2 diabetes can be caused by a number of lifestyle factors and genetic factors as well. It can be caused due to the following factors : (5)
1. Insulin resistance by body cells.
2. Inability of the pancreas to produce appropriate insulin.
3. Inactivity and being overweight.
4. Genetic tendencies.
Lifestyle changes / Hacks / Tips for type 2 diabetics / Do's and Dont's for Type II Diabetes people
To put together an appropriate diabetes lifestyle, you can adhere to the following do’s and don'ts
Do’s
1. Exercise regularly.
2. Have a small portion size while eating. Instead, opt for frequent meals.
3. Have steamed, boiled, grilled food instead of fried food products.
4. Always consult your healthcare provider and a dietician before altering your dietary regime.
Don’ts
1. Don’t keep a lot of gap between meals
2. Avoid artificially sweetened juices, drinks and snacks
3. Avoid carbonated drinks.
4. Take less salt in your diet
Recipes for type 2 diabetic people - breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner
Let us take a look at an appropriate diet for diabetic patients
Breakfast for diabetes patients
1. Chia seed pudding
Ingredients :
- Chia seeds
- Milk
- Sugar free sweetener like stevia
Method :
Take a spoonful of chia seeds and add them in a jar of unsweetened milk. Mix well with stevia or sugar free and keep in the fridge overnight. Next morning, add some blueberries on top and then enjoy a healthy and sumptuous dessert.
2. Oatmeal
Ingredients:
Method :
Add water to a pan and bring it to boil. Add chia seeds to the pan and stir the pot. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes and your oatmeal is ready. You can add stevia or any other no sugar sweetener of your choice to the mixture. Top it up with berries and your breakfast is ready.
Lunch for diabetics type 2
1. Veg stir fry and brown riceIngredients :
- Brown rice
- Carrots
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Onions
- Peppers
- Low sodium soy sauce
Method :
Take all the veggies and stir fry them in low sodium soy sauce. Serve this stir fry with brown rice and your healthy lunch is ready to be served.
2. Green salad
Ingredients :
Method :
Toss all the ingredients in a salad bowl. After that, add cooked quinoa to the mixture and dress it with a low sugar dressing oil. You can even drizzle some balsamic vinegar on top to enhance the taste.
Dinner for diabetes patients
1. Veggie soup and toastIngredients :
- Carrots
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes
- Gluten-free bread
Method :
Prepare a vegetable broth and add spice and a little salt. Take that soup along with two toasts for dinner.
2. Oats khichdi
Ingredients :
Method
Add the veggies to a pot and stir them till they are a bit tender. Add oats to the pot after adding water to it. Let the mixture simmer and your healthy dinner is ready to be consumed as a snack.
Snacks for diabetes type 2
If someone is suffering from type 2 diabetes then they can have hummus and pita bread, yogurt and blueberries etc. as a good snacking option for mid meal hunger pangs. Furthermore, people with diabetes can safely indulge in a handful of almonds to satiate their hunger pangs.
Diabetes is a life long and serious health condition but proper measures and lifestyle changes can significantly guard you from the detrimental effects of this disease.
FAQs
Q1: Is Type 2 Diabetes curable?
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured per se. Having said that, appropriate lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments can be very helpful in managing this condition. Furthermore, you can also take medication at the behest of your health care provider to alleviate the health struggles associated with type 2 diabetes.
Q2: Is Diabetes Type 2 Insulin dependent?
If a person is suffering from type 2 diabetes, then their body cells can become resistant to insulin and therefore the level of blood sugar increases. Furthermore, the pancreas do not produce appropriate levels of insulin to manage the blood sugar levels.
Q3: Can diabetes I turn into diabetes II?
No, type 1 and type 2 diabetes can not change into each other. These are two distinct health conditions that have similar backdrops but a gamut of different causes. Proper medication and lifestyle changes can be helpful in managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Back to News