Dietician Heather Miller, who holds clinics in Balla and Castlebar, offers some advice on diabetes.
Diabetes is known as a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar ) in the bloodstream is too high because the body is not able to control it properly. Blood glucose level is normally kept in range by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce any insulin, and Type 2 diabetes where the body is able to make some insulin but not enough, or when the insulin it has produced does not work properly.
The aim for both types of diabetes is to achieve and maintain the best possible control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. What you eat or do not eat and your physical activity level are vital in controlling all these factors.
Tips:
Base all your meals on carbohydrate foods.
Be aware of your portion sizes.
Eat regularly — aim for three meals a day, including breakfast.
Aim for at least five portions a day of fruits and vegetables.
Eat oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, or salmon twice a week.
Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
Limit your intake of fatty foods, particularly saturated fats.
Eat less salt and salty foods.
If you would like further information, book an appointment with Heather Miller on 087 172 3664 or email [email protected]
