Why Diabetic Carb Control Can Be Like Walking a Tightrope

Anyone newly diagnosed with diabetes will soon finddiet info, but some of these are fad diets that may
that while there is no cure, there are ways to keepnot be helpful and could even be dangerous.
this condition and its potential effects in check. Like aThe Diabetes Type Two info provided here is up to
tightrope walker above a crowd, a diabetic mustdate. It is backed by scientific research and applies
strive to strike a careful balance. In the diabetic'snot only to people who have been diagnosed with
case, the balancing act involves blood sugar levelstype II diabetes, but also to people who have
and food intake. Carbohydrate control is essential for"pre-diabetes", insulin resistance or a family history of
maintaining the act.the condition.
Carbohydrates are found in many foods and are alsoType 2 diabetes is sometimes referred to as
considered important for a sound diet, even aadult-onset, maturity-onset or non-insulin dependent
diabetic's diet. With this in mind, diabetics often finddiabetes. This condition is different from Type 1,
themselves needing to learn carbohydrate controlinsulin dependent, childhood or juvenile diabetes in
measures to ensure the intake doesn't exceedseveral ways. First, there are no known preventative
recommended amounts or cause them to fall offmeasures for Type 1, but Type 2 may be
balance. The American Diabetes Associationpreventable.
recommends that carbohydrates, even for diabetics,In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce
account for about 50 to 60 percent of total dailyinsulin, a hormone that allows glucose to enter and
caloric intake. What works for an individual diabetic,energize the cells. Without insulin, the glucose is
however, will go back to that balancing act. If that"stuck" in the blood stream and cannot be used by
amount raises blood sugar levels too high, cuttingthe cells.
back is likely in order.In type 2 diabetes, the body produces less than
Carbohydrates, which turn to glucose in the body,normal amounts of insulin and the insulin that is
are found in a variety of foods; some are even aproduced is not used properly. Failure of the body to
little surprising. To help diabetics get a handle onrecognize and properly use insulin is referred to as
carbohydrate control, points systems, carb countinginsulin resistance.
and even exchange programs have all been set up.According to the diabetes type two info, facts and
What works for one diabetic might not be the bestfigures provided by national health organizations, of
route for another to take. The key in carbohydratethe 20.8 million people in the United States who have
control is to be able to identify the foods that havebeen diagnosed with diabetes, 90-95% have type 2.
carbohydrates in the mix and learn to limit or avoidAnother 54 million have pre-diabetes.
intake depending on how the tightrope walk is goingIn pre-diabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than
at that moment in time.normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type
The American Diabetes Association has created its2. Without preventative measures, pre-diabetes can
own version of the nutrition pyramid that really helpseventually lead to type II.
illustrate the continued importance of carbohydratesThe recently completed Diabetes Prevention Program
in a diabetic's diet. Drawn in the last and largest spaceshowed conclusively that changes in diet and
of the pyramid, the bread, cereal, rice and pastaincreasing physical activity can prevent pre-diabetes
family is considered vital for daily nutrition. In afrom becoming type 2 diabetes. This study is one
diabetic's case, however, healthier choices arereason that many people look for type 2 diabetes
necessary.diet info. It is important to be able to distinguish the
When looking to master carbohydrate control, thefad diets from the healthy diets. The American
association's simple formula is helpful. It recommendsDiabetes Association is currently working to create
between six and 11 servings from the grain groupmore materials to help people understand the
daily. The catch, however, comes in on the actualdifference.
serving size. What people tend to eat as a servingThere is one simple way to tell the difference
and what a real serving actually is tend to be twobetween a fad diet and a healthy diet. A healthy diet
very different things. For example, a single slice ofis one that you could follow for the rest of your life,
bread, a quarter of an average size bagel, a half-cupwithout concern about nutritional deficiencies. A
of cooked cereal and third-cup of rice or pasta allhealthy diet provides adequate intakes of fat,
qualify as single servings.carbohydrates and protein. Some of the latest type
To exercise the tightest carbohydrate control2 diabetes diet info promotes a "low-carb" diet. The
possible, it is wise for diabetics to learn which foodsAmerican Diabetes Association has this to say:
contain carbs and what the correct serving sizes are"The long-term effects of diets high in protein and
for each item. When making choices about what tolow in carbohydrate are unknown. Although such
eat, it is also smart to go for healthier options. Wholediets may produce short-term weight loss and
grain breads, pasta and even rice are almost alwaysimproved glycemia, it has not been established that
better for a diabetic than processed choices. Thisweight loss is maintained long-term. The long-term
isn't to say white bread, regular pasta or even a sliceeffect of such diets on plasma LDL cholesterol is also
of cake can't be enjoyed once in a while. When thea concern."
balancing act is kept in check, a little splurging nowThe general expert consensus is that in a healthy
and again is generally just fine.daily diet 40% of calories should come from
Some Basic Diabetes Type Two Infocarbohydrates, 30% from protein and 30% from fat.
Diabetes Type Two info is provided here becauseYou can safely reduce carbs to 35% and increase
sometimes accurate information is difficult to find.protein to 35%, but to avoid weight gain and
There are a number of sources for Type 2 diabetesincrease in LDL cholesterol, 30% fat is enough.