Get the Timing Right
When you eat can be just as important as what you eat.
Figuring out how often to eat can be a challenge when you're first diagnosed with diabetes. There are a lot of factors to consider. It depends on the type of diabetes you have, the medications you take, how much you exercise, and where your blood glucose level is at the moment.
If you use insulin, you need to have food in your system when your insulin is peaking — and to be sure, you may require three meals and an evening snack. If you take two injections of short- and intermediate-acting insulin, you may need three meals and three snacks. If you use rapid-acting insulin, eat within 15 minutes of taking your insulin. You may need a snack for physical activity. A common mistake is not waiting 30 minutes to eat after taking regular insulin. If you start eating before insulin activity is peaking, you have higher blood glucose levels after meals.
If you control your blood sugar with diet, you'll do best by eating every small meals or snacks every two to three hours. When you eat smaller amounts of food, your blood glucose levels are lower after eating. Minimeals spread over the day may help control your hunger and calorie intake, leading to better blood glucose control and weight loss. Your blood cholesterol levels will also be lower.
Last updated: December 2006
When you eat can be just as important as what you eat.
Figuring out how often to eat can be a challenge when you're first diagnosed with diabetes. There are a lot of factors to consider. It depends on the type of diabetes you have, the medications you take, how much you exercise, and where your blood glucose level is at the moment.
If you use insulin, you need to have food in your system when your insulin is peaking — and to be sure, you may require three meals and an evening snack. If you take two injections of short- and intermediate-acting insulin, you may need three meals and three snacks. If you use rapid-acting insulin, eat within 15 minutes of taking your insulin. You may need a snack for physical activity. A common mistake is not waiting 30 minutes to eat after taking regular insulin. If you start eating before insulin activity is peaking, you have higher blood glucose levels after meals.
If you control your blood sugar with diet, you'll do best by eating every small meals or snacks every two to three hours. When you eat smaller amounts of food, your blood glucose levels are lower after eating. Minimeals spread over the day may help control your hunger and calorie intake, leading to better blood glucose control and weight loss. Your blood cholesterol levels will also be lower.
Last updated: December 2006
No comments:
Post a Comment