Type 2 diabetes is often called “adult onset diabetes,” but in actuality can develop at any time during your life. In fact, this type of diabetes is now becoming more and more prevalent in children. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is producing insulin (unlike with Type 1 diabetes, where the body produces no insulin at all). The problem comes in when the body is unable to process or respond to the insulin, resulting in resistance to it. This is Type 2 diabetes.
Perhaps the most important thing to know about Type 2 diabetes is that it can often be effectively treated, managed and controlled entirely via by diet and lifestyle changes. Since the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include being obese or overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle, eliminating those issues can go a long way towards fixing the problem for you. If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, now is the time to begin a lifestyle overhaul and change things so that you remain healthy and happy and live a long, full life without any of the dire consequences that untreated diabetes can cause.
A healthy Type 2 diabetes diet keeps a balanced and careful watch over carbohydrate and fiber intake. Carbohydrates cause blood sugar levels to rise, so they must be consumed carefully to avoid glucose spiking in the blood stream. Adding a good amount of fiber to your diet will help control and maintain glucose levels, because fiber delays sugar absorption and helps you better control those levels. Monitoring both carb and fiber intake will help you maintain a healthy weight, as well, which is important to the Type 2 diabetes sufferer. When it comes to protein and fats, these should be consumed in moderation, as you would in any other diet. Keeping things balanced will help keep your blood sugar balanced, too.