Diabetes is a very complex disease; in this article, we will explain what it is and what happens in our bodies when we eat, particularly when we eat carbohydrates.
When the food we eat reaches our digestive organs, it is broken down into very small molecules so that the nutrients can be absorbed and circulate through our body. The most important molecule when discussing diabetes management is glucose.
Carbohydrates (present in most plant foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains) are broken down by our bodies into glucose molecules. Glucose serves as a source of energy in our bodies, including for our brain. 🧠
In order to feed our body, this glucose, which has been obtained from food and is now in our blood, must be absorbed by our cells. And for this we need insulin, a hormone produced in the cells of the pancreas, which acts as a key so that glucose can enter the cells. 🔒
The types and amount of food impact the result of glucose in your body. ⬆️
🥥At GoCoCo, we believe informed choices start with real education. That’s why our blog dives deep into nutrition, food marketing, and common health myths,all with a focus on what actually helps people with diabetes.
There are several types of diabetes, in this post we will focus on the two best known:
Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to develop type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes can be reversed with diet and lifestyle changes.
The most effective treatment is a balanced and healthy diet, very similar to that the general population should follow. Aim to reduce ultra-processed products, which are often high in refined sugars and high in trans fats.
Examples include:
Instead, choose foods from these categories:
In addition to a healthy diet, also aim for regular physical exercise, good hydration and quality sleep…
Some people worry that fruit can raise your glucose to unhealthy levels and could be harmful for diabetics. But whole fruit is healthy and can be compatible with diabetes type 2. In addition, fruit may help reduce the craving for sweets with refined sugars, which can be harmful to health. 🍇
But remember that whole fruit is not the same as fruit juice. We explained fruit juice in detail in this post.
GoCoCo has tools that will help you to achieve a healthy diet:
Today, 38.4 million people live with diabetes in the U.S. — that’s over 11% of the population. But with the right tools and support, living well is absolutely possible.
Article written by Laura Guinovart Martín, certified Dietitian and Nutritionist; Specialized in TCA, Obesity and Food Development and Design; Nº Col:CAT002123