Type 2 Diabetes
How to set diet and weight control strategy
Diet and weight maintenance are two crucial tools to control diabetes. Setting a strategy on food intake and shedding extra pounds is the first and imperative step. The American Diabetes Association recommends that patients with diabetes should aim for a small but consistent weight loss of 0.5 - 1 pound per week. Most patients should follow a diet that supplies at least 1,000 - 1,200 kcal/day for women and 1,200 - 1,600 kcal/day for men. A realistic plan should be made considering both quality and quantity of food that is fitted with the goal of weight loss plan. There are many approaches to dieting including calorie restriction, low-fat/high-fiber, or high protein and fat/low carbohydrates. Some evidence suggests that people may respond differently to specific diets depending on whether their weight is overly distributed around the abdomen. Ideally, overweight patients should strive for 7 percent weight loss or better, particularly people with type 2 diabetes. The standard dietary recommendations are: * As a rough rule of thumb, 1 pound of fat contains about 3,500 calories, so one could lose a pound a week by reducing daily caloric intake by about 500 calories a day. Very-low calorie diets have also been associated with better success, but extreme diets can have some serious health consequences. * To determine the daily calorie requirements for specific individuals, multiply the number of pounds of ideal weight by 12 - 15 calories. The number of calories per pound depends on gender, age, and activity levels. For instance a 50-year-old moderately active woman who wants to maintain a weight of 135 pounds and is mildly active might need only 12 calories per pound (1,620 calories a day). A 25-year old female athlete who wants to maintain the same weight might need 25 calories per pound (2,025 calories a day). * Along with diet, exercise specially aerobic has significant and particular benefits for people with diabetes. Regular aerobic exercise, even of moderate intensity (such as brisk walking), improves insulin sensitivity and protect their vital organs e.g. heart, kidney.
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