Its Not Just About Sugar Anymore

1
Its Not Just About Sugar Anymore!

• Answering the myths and
• mysteries of the diabetic diet

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available to all without discrimination. Evidence
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local Cooperative Extension office.
March, 2006 revised
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Diabetes Primer

• What is Diabetes?
• What is the big deal?
• What helps people control their diabetes?
• The myths mysteries of
• the diabetic diet.

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What is Diabetes?

• When you eat, your body turns food into sugar
  that goes into blood.
  
• For the body to use this blood sugar it needs
  insulin.
  
• Insulin acts like a door man and lets blood sugar
  into cells where it is used for energy.

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What is Diabetes?

• When a person has diabetes, there is little to no
  insulin or it does not work properly.
  
• The body cannot use the blood sugar, and it
  builds up in the blood. The extra sugar causes
  damage to the body.

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Two Types of Diabetes?

• There are two main types of diabetes.
• Type 1 requires daily injections of insulin. This
  usually starts during childhood, when the body is
  unable to make insulin.
  
• Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. The
  body does not use insulin very well. Early on
  this can be controlled by diet and exercise.
  Later on it requires pills or insulin.

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Whats the Big Deal?

• 20.8 million Americans are living with diabetes.
• 14.6 people have been diagnosed with diabetes.
• Another 16 million have diabetes, but dont know
  it.
  
• Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious
  complications heart disease, stroke, kidney
  failure, loss of limbs and blindness.
  
• The good news is these complications do not have
  to happen, and chances are greatly reduced when
  blood sugar is controlled.

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Diabetes Can Be Controlled

• Regular Health Checks
• Food Choices
• Activity Choices

Food Choices
Activity Choices
Regular Health Checks
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Healthy Eating Helps Control Diabetes

• Choose small to medium servings of a variety of
  foods.
  
• Eat same time each day. Dont skip meals.
• Eat about the same amount each day.

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Fill Your Plate for Healthy Eating

• 1/2 is non-starchy vegetables such as salad or
  cooked vegetables.
  
• 1/4 is starchy foods such as breads, grains or
  starchy vegetables.
  
• 1/4 is meat, fish or poultry or meat substitute.
  
  
• Milk and fruit complete the meal.

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6 Myths About Food for People with Diabetes
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Myth 1

• True or False ?
• People with diabetes can eat as much as they want
  as long as it doesnt have sugar.

• FALSE
• Sugar is a carbohydrate, like bread, cereal, and
  potatoes.
  
• All carbohydrates raise blood sugar.
• Sweets / sugars tend to have more carbohydrates
  in smaller packages.
  
• Sweets can be included in a healthy diet plan
  ahead and know how many carbohydrates they
  contain.

Sugar found Not Guilty!
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Myth 2

• True or False?
• People with diabetes should only eat foods
  sweetened with sugar substitutes instead of sugar.

• FALSE
• People with diabetes do not need special
  foods.
  
• Its about the total amount of carbohydrates in
  the foods.
  
• Foods sweetened with sugar substitutes may still
  have carbohydrates that can cause the blood sugar
  to raise.
  
• Read Nutrition Facts on food labels for total
  carbohydrate content.

One serving of carb 15 grams
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Myth 3

• FALSE
• People with diabetes can eat starchy or
  carbohydrate foods. These foods have many
  important nutrients.
  
• Fiber is one of the important nutrients.
• Fiber is filling and helps lower blood
  cholesterol and possibly blood sugar.
  
• High fiber foods are whole grain breads and
  cereals, fruits, cooked or canned dried beans,
  and vegetables.

• True or False?
• People with diabetes should not eat too many
  starchy foods, because starch raises blood
  glucose and makes you gain weight.

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Myth 4

• FALSE
• Protein is needed to build and repair body
  tissue.
  
• People with diabetes do not need more protein.
• Most people need 5-6 ounces of protein foods per
  day.
  
• Controlling portion sizes and choosing lean meats
  can help prevent heart disease, a complication of
  diabetes.

• True or False?
• People with diabetes should eat lots of protein
  to stay healthy and strong.

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Myth 5

• FALSE
• Fat does not affect blood sugar, but can increase
  the risk of heart disease.
  
• Heart disease is the 1 complication of
  diabetes.
  
• A heart healthy diet which is low in fat,
  saturated fat, salt and high in fiber and
  includes heart healthy oils can reduce this
  risk.
• Best choices are lean meats, fish, poultry, low
  fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables,
  canola or olive oil.
  
• Add less fat and salt.

• True or False ?
• People with diabetes dont have to worry about
  eating fat because it doesnt affect blood sugar.

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Myth 6

• True or False?
• People with diabetes should not eat snacks
  because snacking makes you gain weight and makes
  the blood glucose too high.

• FALSE
• Snacks can be helpful in keeping people from
  getting too hungry and overeating.
  
• Snacks can be helpful in preventing low blood
  sugar for people using insulin or other
  medications for diabetes.
  
• The key is to plan healthy low fat, low calorie
  snacks.

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Summary

• There is no Diabetic Diet it starts with
  healthy eating.
  
• Eat about the same time each day.
• Dont skip meals!
• Eat a variety of foods.
• Watch serving sizes especially for
  carbohydrates.
  
• Use less fat, sugar, salt and alcohol.
• See a health care provider to help you develop a
  plan to take charge of your diabetes.