DIABETES
Diet is the basis of treatment for everyone with diabetes
About three in every 100 people in the UK are known to have diabetes. Although the condition can happen at any age, it is rare in infants, and becomes more common as people get older.
Type 2 diabetes usually appears in middle age or elderly people. The main causes of the condition are that the body no longer responds to its own insulin, and/or that the body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the glucose (sugar) enter the cells, where it is used as fuel by the body. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes,chipatis, yams and plantain, as well as from sugar and sweet foods and the liver which also makes glucose.
There is no such thing as mild diabetes - all diabetes should be taken seriously and treated properly.
It is unnecessary to buy special foods labelled "diabetic" as a healthy diet for adults with diabetes is the same balanced diet recommended for everyone. For most people achieving a healthy diet means eating the following:-
meals based on starchy foods |
plenty of fruit and vegetables |
less fat, sugar and salt |
If you are overweight, a slow steady weight loss i.e. 1-2lbs per week would be beneficial in helping control your blood glucose levels and perhaps reduce the need to take tablets or have injections.
Local Support
Diabetes U.K City of Portsmouth voluntary group
Meetings
- 10am on the third Monday of the month at Eastney Community Centre, or
- 7:30pm on the third Tuesday of each month at Buckland Community Centre
Contact - Ruth Everitt 023 9275 14443 or Lorraine Hughs 023 9238 7655
