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Diabetic Starvation
I've read many articles on diabetes, but there is one subject that seems to be seriously overlooked; and that is..... diabetics who are starving themselves, because they think its the only way, to controll sugar AND loose weight. In addition to all this, people are not talking to their doctors about this major problem. I've noticed a lot of diabetics, are too embarrassed to tell their doctor that they are hungry. I've realized that many sometimes see this as a possible sign of failure, weekness, and or not having will power. Diabetes is more complicated then people are lead to believe. It is extremely important that you talk to your doctor; many of these challenges can easily be remedied, by simply changing the dose of your medication, or changing your medication entirely, in order to find one that works best with your particular body.
Another element that adds more difficulty, is the assumed or missinformation about what are carbohydrates. In the fitness world, there are some diets that over rate carbohydrates, mostly in terms of energy when working out at the gym. However, to a diabetic it is a different story. Many diabetics assume that carbohydrates are bad for you, then try to cut it out of their diet completely. This is not a good plan of action, and can often prove dangerous for some diabetics. It is very important, in terms of diets and living as a diabetic, that you, read current books on diabetes and health, with the focus of not only sugar cpmtrp;. bit educating yourself on diabetic complications. Paring up with a good endocrinologist is also key. We often forget that an endocrinologist, ARE DOCTORS that specialize in these area.
ALL DIABETICS NEED TO KNOW::::::::: carbohydrates, is one of the main and vital sources for the body's energy and feul. Over 90% of what we consume has some form of carbohydrates, and that includes meats, rice, veggies, even some of the so called "sugar free" products (but thats another subject by itself). You also need to know that, if you deprive youself of all carbs (which is just about everything), your not just making your body grow hungry; your depriving the body of its power to defend itself against outside forces, such as bacteria, germs, infection, the ability to regenerate cells, to heal itself, causing all kinds of nerve damage, these are just a few...Not to mention the fact that, your body now can't use or produce aditional amino acids, so body can function, because your not eating enough protein.. And if your a diabetic, this problem grows exponentially. When the body converts carbohydrates in to sugar (glucose), it literaly becomes food for your body's cells. The key thing to remember as a diabetic, your sugar cannot be consistantly high OR consistantly low, for a prolonged period of time. It is the consistancy that causes the diabetic complications. This is when your blood glucose meter comes in; so you can monitor your blood, know where your heading, and the opportunity to change your A1C to healthier numbers.
Carbohydrates are good for us in moderation. There are 2 main things to consider, in terms of carbohydrates (aka sugar), that is, natural sugars and processed sugars. Natural sugars are fruits, honey, etc., (some fruits ahave more sugars than others), and the process sugars are cakes, chocolates, and pure granulated sugars. You would want to go after the natural sugars, not just because of more vitamins and minerals, but because your body can break them down much better. You may be treating your tounge to a great tasting 'devil's chocolate cake", but you are definately not doing good by the rest of your body, when it is consumed in excess. It's about better food choices, not starving your body. Do not allow your tounge's taste buds, overide your need for nutrition.
For most of us who are diabetic, we cannot can not control diabeties with diet alone. Some of use need medication, some need insulin. This is why seeing an endocrinologist is so important. do not wait until you are suffering major complications of diabetes, to decide to make change and ask questions. It is your responsibility to play an active role in your body's health; you only have one body, one heart, one life. Now that we have the internet, there is no excuse, everyone has the same opportunities to learn, and easily get more information about the disease. You are only a victim if you allow it.
Diabetics, don't live there lives eating to loose weight, we eat in the way to save our lives.
Yogiraj
copyright 2005 USA/International
About the Author
Yogiraj, is a writer and poet. Born in to a family of diabetics (including himself). He dedicates his spare time to writing, compiling resources, and sharing them with the diabetic community.
http://diabeticawareness.blogspot.com
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