What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
How to diagnose diabetes?
In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes.With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes.In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes.
How does the diabetes exchange system work?
In the exchange system, foods are grouped into basic types — starches,
fruits, milk, etc. Within each group, you'll see how much you can
eat of various foods for the same amount of calories, carbohydrates and
other nutrients. You can exchange or trade foods within a group because
they're similar in nutrient content and the manner in which they affect
your blood sugar. Your dietitian will recommend a certain number of daily exchanges from
each food group based on your individual needs. Find out the exchange system for your diet!
Food Recipes For Diabetes: