By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Diabetes Type 2 Diet

Type 2 Diabetes – Diet Tips!

No set formula for eating will keep your Type 2 Diabetes in check. Individuals must determine the best combination for their own health management. There are some general rules that will help you make the right choices though. Your food choices need to be healthy ones. Diabetes brings additional risk of heart disease, stroke, and other severe health issues. Making healthy food choice will benefit your diabetes as well as help avoid the other health issues. Eat a variety of foods as well. Do not think that a Diet made mainly of protein will help you avoid glucose spikes. The problem with that diet is that it can drop your glucose levels and bring on ketoacidosis.

Mix up what is on your plate at each meal or snack. Combine carbohydrates with healthy fats and proteins. Make sure you get raw fruits and vegetables as well. Eating fiber rich foods will help regulate how fast your body absorbs glucose. Make sure you choose healthy plant-based fats over meat fats when possible. That will help keep cholesterol in check. Add whole grains to your Diet as well. They absorb slower than their refined cousins absorb and they contain fiber.

How you eat is as important as what you eat. Set up a regular schedule of meals and snacks spaced between 3 and 5 hours apart. This will help keep your glucose levels steady. Don’t eat overlarge meals. It is better to have several small meals instead of a couple large ones. Portion control of all types of food will help keep glucose levels steady as well. It is not a good idea to skip meals. You might think it will help you lose weight. However, you will face glucose problems instead. Getting into a pattern will help your body naturally regulate glucose levels. Getting out of pattern will cause the opposite problem.

One very important habit to form is to read labels constantly. You will be surprised at the amount of empty calories you are consuming each day. If you find sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or anything that hints at sugar within the first few ingredients, avoid that food product. Look for the healthy ingredients near the top. Another good habit is constant hydration. Dehydration exacerbates type 2 diabetes treatment and management. Drink water constantly throughout the day and avoid or limit sugary drinks. Caffeine actually dehydrates you even in coffee, tea, or soda form.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Cure For Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - The Future for Diabetics?

What does the future hold for those with type 2 diabetes? Research is ongoing in many areas surrounding Diabetes. Researchers are ultimately looking for a permanent cure. However, there are others looking for better ways to manage the disease, easier ways to administer insulin, alternative treatments, and many other areas. All of this holds the promise that future developments are on the way to help manage your diabetes better. The cure may not happen soon, but getting control is the next best thing. Let’s look a few of the areas where progress is underway.

Researchers are looking for better ways to identify those with a risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes earlier than ever. Genetic tests are helping to identify those with an elevated risk. Education programs focus on getting those at highest risk into programs to lower their weight and to promote exercise. They target those who are carrying excess weight and those with certain ethnic backgrounds. Researchers are looking for better ways to deliver medications to the body. They are looking at developing a form of insulin that works quicker than ones currently available do. They are working on advancing insulin pumps in order to take the job of daily injections away from the patients. Ongoing research is working to make insulin deliverable by pill or inhaler instead of injections.

Researchers are looking for advancements in treatments of diabetes complications. Laser treatments are on the research radar for reducing the risk of blindness. Research is showing promise in identifying drugs that delay or prevent kidney failure in those with type 2 Diabetes. Researchers are looking for ways to use organ transplant to eliminate the need for insulin injections. Whole pancreas transplants are tricky. Nevertheless, implants involving the islets of Langerhans show great promise. Kidney transplants hold hope for those with irreparable damage to their renal system.

Researchers are looking for advancements in monitoring glucose and insulin levels in the blood. There are continual advances in computer technology applied to home meters. The hope is to get to the point where managing insulin is as common as most other daily activities. All of this holds much hope. Research is focusing on finding a cure as well. Research continues to identify hormones and enzymes that show links to insulin resistance and other factors that contribute to Type 2 Diabetes. There is hope out there. The future is getting brighter for those dealing with diabetes.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - Exercise IS OK Before and After Meals!

Those with Type 2 Diabetes can exercise just about any time of the day. The best way to learn when you can exercise is to experiment and monitor the results. Some find exercising in the morning is better than the evening. Some find the opposite to be true. Many choose to exercise in short intervals throughout the day. Exercise before and after a meal is possible. All depends on what you eat and how your blood glucose levels react. If your glucose levels are below the 250 milligrams per deciliter level, it is usually safe to exercise. The only exception is if you have ketones in your urine.

Plan to exercise around the same time each day. Getting into a pattern and maintaining it helps your body regulate your blood glucose levels. Plan your meals accordingly though. If you plan to exercise soon after you eat, make sure you add some additional carbohydrates to help elevate glucose levels slightly to compensate for the drop during exercise. Take some carbohydrate snacks with you when you go to exercise. If you feel a sudden drop in your glucose levels, you will have some quick energy nearby. All of this will help you exercise in the most effective way while managing your type 2 Diabetes.

When you combine exercise with diet and medicine, management of diabetes becomes easier even in those on insulin. Exercise brings many other health benefits as well. It helps manage weight issues. It counteracts heart and circulation problems. Exercise has emotional benefits as well. Many diabetics suffer from anxiety and depression because of their diagnosis. Exercise helps counteract those emotions. For those with a family history of Type 2 Diabetes or those who are overweight, it is a proven way to reduce your risk of developing the disease in the first place.

Use caution when exercising if you have type 2 diabetes. Exercising if your blood glucose levels are too high is a definite no-no. So is exercising for longer periods than you usually do. Your body may react by releasing more glucose to supply the cells with energy. That can elevate your glucose levels into the danger zone. Make sure you keep hydrated as well. Low hydration can lead to fainting or even a coma. It is important to wear the appropriate shoes. All of these precautions will help you get the best results from your exercise without endangering your health.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Diabetes Type 2 Blood Sugar

Type 2 Diabetes - Lower Blood Glucose Levels after Meals!

Getting a blood glucose spike after eating is very common in those with type 2 Diabetes. Most times, it’s moderate if you are practicing moderation and portion control with carbohydrates, fats, and sweets. However, at times, the spikes may be more dramatic. Some people get surprised when they get their A1C test results and see their glucose levels are significantly higher than expected. If they have not monitored their glucose levels after eating, it may be a real shock. A1C measures the amount of glucose that passes through the blood over a two to three month period. Your daily readings may not show the spikes after eating, but your A1C will show it.

If you are not practicing moderation and portion control, the spikes in your blood glucose may be severe. If you suspect you are getting these spikes, alter your glucose monitoring. Check your levels right before you eat and then again about an hour after you eat. Compare the two figures to see how high your glucose level rose. If you see a significant change, you likely are seeing these post meal spikes in your blood sugar. It is important to get these under control if possible. Your Type 2 Diabetes will only get worse if you do not.

How do you lower your glucose levels after eating? Take a walk right after eating. Physical exertion lowers glucose levels. It also slows down digestion and that steadies the glucose levels. Another method is to change what you are eating. Anything with low value carbohydrates will cause glucose to rise sharply. Starchy foods are particularly bad about this. Add more fruits and vegetables to your Diet. Add more fiber to slow the rate of digestion. Experiment with your injections of insulin. You need to time them so that they are at the highest level when the glucose is.

For anyone with type 2 diabetes, you need to know your glucose profile. Take regular readings for a couple of weeks and record the results. You may begin to see patterns with what you are eating affecting your glucose levels. Be sure to record food intake and physical activity in addition to your glucose readings. This gives the information that will point to problems and issues. Your doctor or other diabetes specialists will also love to see this information to see how well you manage your Diabetes from day to day.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Info On Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - Diabetic Coma

For many with type 2 diabetes, the thought of going into a diabetic coma is a worst case scenario. There is no question. Such a coma is a very serious situation. This often occurs due to one of three different causes: severe diabetic hypoglycemia, Diabetic ketoacidosis in combination with other symptoms or hyperosmolar nonketonic coma. Each one involves different causes. The term diabetic coma is a general term used when someone comes up unconscious with diabetes. Modern medical staff knows what to look for to figure out what is causing the problem. It is important for you to recognize early symptoms in yourself to avoid losing consciousness. Let’s look at each type and what may happen with each.

The first one is severe Diabetic hypoglycemia. That long medical term means that your glucose levels have plummeted too low. It often happens if a patient takes too much insulin or something else causes the glucose to drop unexpectedly. People with Type 2 Diabetes will likely deal with periods of hypoglycemia off and on. It is actually uncommon for levels to fall so low as to cause a coma. If coma happens, the paramedics or hospital will give the patient intravenous glucose or glucagon to stimulate glucose release. This will elevate glucose levels in the blood stream.

The next type to consider is a coma caused by diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis begins when the body runs out of insulin. To get energy, the body begins converting fat deposits into energy. This action causes the build-up of ketones in the blood stream. The ketone buildup can cause many severe symptoms besides loss of consciousness. Vomiting, dehydration, confusion, and shallow irregular breathing are common. People with type 2 Diabetes get this form of Diabetic coma less often than the first one. Treatment involves rehydration and giving insulin to stop the generation of more ketones.

The last type of diabetic coma is a hyperosmolar nonketonic coma. This type of coma develops as a combination of severe hyperglycemia and dehydration. Hyperglycemia is the term for elevated levels of glucose in the blood stream. When high levels of sugar combine with severe loss of fluids, the patient may fall into a coma very quickly. This form of coma is the most deadly in the Type 2 Diabetes community. It only begins to show as lethargy. Without overt symptoms, many people fall into a coma without warning. Treatment includes gradual rehydration and insulin introduction.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Diet For Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - Nuts and Peanuts are Great! In Moderation!

Tree nuts and peanuts make great choices for type 2 Diabetics. They provide a good source of fiber. Research has shown that fiber helps steady blood sugar levels. They are also sources of monounsaturated fat. This heart healthy fat helps lower levels of cholesterol. Any improvement in heart health is significant. Heart disease and its complications kill more people with diabetes than anything else does. Eating nuts, like most everything, means practicing moderation. They are a great snack food. They make great alternatives to sweet foods. Most nuts will provide the benefits that you want.

Pistachios are good snacking for those with Type 2 Diabetes. They come with a great deal of nutrition without the load of too many calories. Like other nuts, they provide fiber, good plant protein, and a wealth of vitamins and minerals. They boost HDL cholesterol levels while lowering the total cholesterol counts. That is great for heart health. Walnuts are also good for diabetics. Research shows these tree nuts help lower triglyceride levels. That leads to better heart health and diminishes the chances of nerve damage. Walnuts also help with cell function. Almonds are good for you as well. They provide a shot of antioxidants that help fight off free radicals.

Eating just about any nut will provide a good boost in your fight to manage your type 2 Diabetes. Studies have shown that regular consumption of nuts helps manage weight levels when eaten in moderation. They also help with managing blood insulin levels. For those that do not have the disease yet, if you eat nuts, your chances of getting it lower significantly. Nuts have a low glycemic index. That means the body digests them slowly and that keeps blood glucose levels steady instead of spiking. Nuts also contain Omega-3s, which help with heart disease in everyone including Diabetics.

How do incorporate nuts into your eating program as a type 2 diabetic? As with most other foods, you must practice portion control and moderation. Nuts provide good nutrients but some have a higher caloric rate. It is important to space consumption out throughout the day to avoid glucose spikes. Find a few nuts that you love and keep them around the house. They are perfect snacks. They work quite well when added to a salad or sandwich. Getting the benefits of nuts is easy. In addition, you don’t have to go nutty in the process.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Type 2 Diabetes Menu

Type 2 Diabetes - Plant Based Diets Are Good!

 

Embracing a vegetarian or vegan Diet can help you manage your diabetes. This diet is rich with the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that help your body fight off the effects of type 2 diabetes. It also provides fiber to help slow the digestion of foods. Weight control is usually easier with this Diet. Lowering weight is always a good thing when trying to manage Diabetes. The almost complete absence of saturated and trans fat means heart health gets a fantastic boost. You still get essential fats and proteins from plant sources that are mono and polyunsaturated instead. That is the healthy forms of fats.

Weight control is often a significant issue for those with Type 2 Diabetes. A plant-based diet makes controlling weight easier. The amount of calories eaten is usually lower than with a meat/plant Diet. The amount of fiber is dramatically higher when eating a plant-based diet. Vitamins and nutrients are not lost either. Making part of your plant-based Diet raw is even better since you don’t lose any of the beneficial nutrients due to cooking.

Plant-based foods help lower cholesterol levels and help moderate blood pressure problems. All of this leads to better heart health. Some plants contain amino acids and enzymes that help regulate insulin and glucose levels.

So, what does a plant-based diet entail? It may be best to explain as what is not in the Diet. When you go on this diet, you eliminate all sources of food that originate from animals, fowl, or fish. That means no eggs or dairy in addition to no meats, poultry, or fish products. Protein is available from many plant sources such as legumes and nuts. These foods also provide heart healthy forms of fats. Carbohydrates are present as well. However, in the raw forms, the amount of fiber helps moderate absorption issues.

If becoming vegan or vegetarian doesn’t appeal to you, embrace adding more plant-based foods to your Diet. Adding beans, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will provide significant benefits to anyone, including those fighting type 2 diabetes. Try to make one or two of your daily meals and snacks vegetarian or vegan. Try new plant-based foods and see if you can incorporate them into your regular food intake. Any headway you make into integrating more plant-based foods will give you more control over your diabetes. That is a good thing for the short and long run.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Diabetes Type 2 Diet

Type 2 Diabetes - Mexican Food?

You just got a diagnosis of type 2 Diabetes. Does that mean you must never visit your favorite Mexican restaurant again? The answer is no. You can enjoy Mexican food. You can actually enjoy just about any food you want. There is one proviso though. You must watch what you eat and how much you eat. Mexican restaurants serve many foods high in carbohydrates. Be aware of what you are eating. That basket of chips they bring to the table is the place to start using caution. The corn in the tortillas contains high levels of carbohydrates. The deep fried chips bring high levels of fat. Some salsas have high levels of sodium.

What else do you need to watch when eating at a Mexican restaurant? Rice is not your friend. They make most rice dishes with refined white rice. Eating too much rice can spike glucose levels. Beans can be another red flag. Legumes are good sources for healthy fats and fiber. Beans in a Mexican restaurant will likely send your glucose into the stratosphere. Refried beans have added fat and calories that is usually saturated. The refrying breaks down the fiber value as well. You get the taste of beans but none of the nutritional value. Tortillas, either corn or flour, are not good either. Both come from refined grains that hold little nutritional value and high levels of carbohydrates.

What can you eat at a Mexican restaurant? Chicken fajitas are a good choice. You get a pile of chicken with vegetables. You can moderate the amount of sour cream and cheese you add as well as the tortillas you eat with it. Shrimp fajitas are also good options. Soft tacos with chicken or broiled fish are another option. Getting a taco salad and not eating the deep fried shell is another option. All of these options allow you to control the amount of rice, tortillas, and beans you eat.

Portion control is the vital with any restaurant. If you order an entrée, consider asking for a box at the beginning of the meal. Put half in the box and take it home with you. You get to enjoy your food and don’t need to deal with a glucose spike in the process. Getting a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes doesn’t mean you have to stop eating your favorite foods. It is a matter of getting control of your portion sizes and regulating when you eat.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Type 2 Diabetes Menu

Type 2 Diabetes - Mediterranean Diet is Great!

Research shows that adopting a Diet in line with Mediterranean eating habits can help manage Type 2 Diabetes without taking drugs. What exactly do they mean by a Mediterranean diet? This Diet comes from the cultures that ring the Mediterranean Sea including Italian, Greek, and others. It contains a diet rich in vegetables and whole grains. Surprisingly it also contains 30% of calories coming from fat sources. The most source of fat though is olive oil. The diet also replaces most red meat consumption with fish and chicken. No more than 50% of daily calories can come from carbohydrates.

What is the result of adopting this Diet on those with type 2 diabetes? Nothing is a miracle. However many patients gain better control on this diet than with a low fat diet. They also show marked improvements in heart health. Weight loss happens as well. Studies have shown that this Diet helps some hold off the need for medications. How does this diet do it? The diet focuses on replacing saturated fats with healthier versions. It also focuses on boosting the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in your Diet. All of this helps realign your health into a better mode.

Adopting a diet in the style of the Mediterranean eating habits bring many good things to the table of a person with Type 2 Diabetes. The diet focuses on eating more fish and chicken than red meat. That will lower the amount of saturated fat in your diet. The Diet also emphasizes meat as equal or subordinate to plant-based foods. That means chicken or fish is not the main part of the meal. It balances with hearty sized portions of whole grains and vegetables. Many meals do not contain fish or chicken. The main source of fat in this diet comes from the use of olive oil in cooking.

The addition of fresh fruits and vegetables can raise the intake of healthy fiber. Fiber helps those with type 2 Diabetes in two ways. The first is that it helps regulate how fast the body absorbs food. This helps keep glucose levels steady. The second benefit is that it helps with weight control and heart health. Those additional factors mean that you are healthier all together. The best part of this diet is that it’s rich in many nutrients that benefit the health of everyone. It is a good diet for the entire family to adopt along with the Diabetic.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
 

 Living With Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes & Exercise - Your health Concerns - Can I do it?

Exercise is essential for good management of type 2 diabetes. When used in combination with Diet and medicine, you have a good shot at keeping the diabetes in check for a long period. It also helps manage weight issues, which also helps manage the glucose levels. It counteracts the issues that lead to heart disease. That is good news since Diabetes has an increased risk of heart disease. Exercise has both physical and emotional benefits that will help anyone with or without diabetes. It is a proven way to reduce your risk of developing the disease in the first place.

How does exercise help diabetes? Studies show that exercise lowers the amount of insulin resistance the body expresses. That alone makes it very valuable in Type 2 Diabetes management. However, it also helps deal with other health issues that can cause trouble for those with diabetes. It helps burn excess body fat which lowers weight, improves bone density, and improve muscle strength. Studies show that it lowers cholesterol numbers as well as blood pressure. It helps improve circulation and increases your energy levels. It helps promote relaxation and get rid of negative emotions. All of this makes managing your diabetes much easier.

What is the best way to incorporate exercise into your type 2 Diabetes program? The same advice that doctors give to anyone starting a new exercise program will work for those with diabetes. Talk with your doctor first to make sure everything is okay before you begin. Start slowly. Gradually begin increasing the amount and strenuousness of the exercises. For long term results, choose an activity you enjoy. Move toward exercising at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Make sure you include a good warm up and cool down to protect muscles. Wear the right shoes. Keep hydrated. Do not ignore pain.

Exercise does require some caution with people that have Type 2 Diabetes. If your blood glucose levels are too high, it is best to delay your exercise. Some exercise will increase glucose levels. If they are already too high, you are asking for trouble. Exercising for long period of time or at higher levels than normal your body may begin counteracting the insulin in your blood. It is important to monitor your glucose levels if you plan on doing more than normal. For safety reasons, wear a medical alert bracelet to alert people that you have Diabetes. If something happens, it can save your life.

By
Dr Michael Hutch