Learn how to live well with diabetes

After receiving the diagnosis of diabetes, it can be very difficult to face the changes that will occur, since this is a chronic disease and must be monitored for the rest of your life. But changes in habits do not have to be traumatic, as the diabetic does not need to drastically cut any food from the diet.

However, it is essential that the patient understands the importance of strictly following the treatment to avoid future complications. “For the nourishment of diabetic there is no need for big changes. Sweets, breads and pasta do not need to be completely eliminated from the diabetic diet. But, you have to pay attention to the quantity”, reassures nutritionist Bruna Pinheiro.

Recommended diet for everyone

According to Bruna Pinheiro, it is important that the diabetic diet “is rich in complex carbohydrates, carbohydrates that are more slowly digested, thus avoiding large rises and falls in blood glucose levels”.

In addition, the professional explains that the diet followed by a diabetic can and should be followed by anyone, as it is a varied foodwith balanced nutrient content, rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, meats and low-fat dairy products.

Importance of acceptance and treatment

In addition to changing eating habits, patients diagnosed with diabetes go through a difficult psychological process, as they need to accept and perceive the importance of treatment of the disease. The better the acceptance and, consequently, the more rigorous the treatment, the better the result.

According to endocrinologist Dr. Claudia Liboni, when the patient is diagnosed with diabetes, he will make some changes in his routine. “All of them are necessary for the best control of the disease in the long term, in order to minimize the complications that occur after a variable time of treatment. diabetes. When the patient understands the reason for the diet and the importance of other guidelines, he feels less uncomfortable with the imposed restrictions, ”he says.

The doctor points out that when the doctor prevents the patient from losing sight or having to undergo hemodialysis three times a week – examples of common complications of the disease –, it is offering long-term quality of life.

beware of stress

O stress that we experience on a daily basis can aggravate several diseases, including diabetes. “Psychological stress from any cause can cause blood glucose to rise temporarily. This is because we produce stress hormones in the body, the most important being cortisol,” explains Dr. Claudia Liboni.

According to her, cortisol has the “function of keeping the body on alert, and raising blood glucose is part of this process. As it is a chain reaction, we cannot avoid it, unless the person does not experience any stress during his entire life, which is almost impossible”.

Minimizing the impact of stress

The specialist’s recommendation is to minimize the impact of stress on the patient’s body, leading a healthy life, taking medications and practicing physical activity, increasing the production of relaxing substances in the body.

“But it is important to emphasize that there is no such thing as diabetes triggered only by stress, the so-called ’emotional diabetes’. The patient was going to develop diabetes anyway, and the stress could have kicked things off”, guarantees the endocrinologist.

Follow the treatment strictly

One of the greatest difficulties faced by diabeticsit’s knowing that the recommendations should be followed for the rest of your life. Because it is a chronic disease, there is no cure, only monitoring the disease to make it stable and avoid further complications.

“Most patients, when they have the diagnosis and are well advised about the risks of not treating the disease correctly, follow the recommendations. However, after a variable amount of time, it begins to ‘relax’ and does not go on as it did at the beginning. It is up to the doctor, at this time, to reinforce the importance of maintaining adequate treatment”, advises Dr. Claudia Liboni.