Food and drinks we consume give us nutrition- energy, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water.
We eat food to satisfy our hunger, for the taste of it, the tastier the more we eat. We all enjoy it in some way or other; for us this is practically the only reason we take food.
Its only when we develop a problem like Diabetes , Hypertension or other medical condition (e.g pregnancy in females) which is profoundly affected by food intake that we realize the actual implication and importance of food in our daily lives
It is very important for Diabetics/ Pre-Diabetics to change there food habits, a simple moderation in what and how much they eat can make a big difference to them. Proper Diet leads to proper Bloodglucose control and may prevent the dreadful complications like Heart Attack, Paralysis, Limb Amputation, Blindness etc. The changes in diet and lifestyle should be gradual and sustainable.
Two important studies Diabetes Prevention Program ( DPP) and Dietary approach to stop hypertension ( DASH) have clearly demonstrated the benefits of controlled diet in delaying diabetes and lowering Blood pressure.
Understanding our food
Food contains nutrients and water which are essential for us to carry out our daily living,they provideenergy to work,required for repair and building of our body, in short nutrientsenable us to smoothly function as an integrated unit.
Nutrients can be divided into 2 types Macro and Micro nutrients
Macronutrients are required in large quantities and constitute a large proportion of our diet; these are
| Carbohydrates – Give us energy, these are oxidized into simpler sugars like glucose to provide energy to the basic unit of the body- the cells. Examples:- Fruits, vegetables, sugar, jaggery, honey, pulses, cereals, nuts, milk etc. |
| Proteins- form the building blocks, form cells, enzymes, secretions, hormones and also provide energy
Examples:-Meat, Milk and its products, pulses, eggs, legumes like soya bean, fish etc |
| Fats - Highly concentrated forms of energy, more than double that of carbohydrates, besides giving energy they also lubricate the internal organs, form linings and padding for them, required for the transport of fat soluble vitamins, vit K, vit E etc
Examples:-Oils, Nuts, Fat, Lard, Butter, Clarified butter ( Ghee) meat, fish, seeds |
Its important to note that all different food items may contain all constituents of food e.g milk contains Proteins, carbohydrates and fat, but in different proportions.Some food items predominantly have carbohydrates, others protein or fats.
Micronutrients - these are required in very small quantities but are essential to the proper functioning of our body.
Minerals & Vitamins
Are a part of fruits vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat and milk products