Type 2 diabetes: the role of food

Although genetics play an important role in the development of prediabetes and diabetes, other conditions accompany it. Among them, the lifestyle adopted by humans over recent decades has fuelled the explosion in diabetes cases.

The lack of physical activity and diets which are too high in sugars and fats leads to overweight and obesity. As a corollary, these two factors favour the onset of type 2 diabetes. This is why doctors recommend acting on these lifestyle choices with some practical advice.

Type 2 diabetes, « the disease of the century »

Diabetes is recognised as the most prevalent non-infectious disease in the world. To date, 460 million people have diabetes. If we continue at this pace, more than 700 million diabetics will populate the planet by 2050. The increase in cases occurred in the second half of the 20th century and coincided with the change in how we live. The phenomenon of ‘junk food’, that is to say the intake of foods which are too high in fats and sugars, has had a significant impact on the increase in diabetes in our society.

« 1 in 10 French people have diabetes »
– ceed-diabete.org : Les chiffres du diabète

Adopting a balanced approach to food rather than a strict « diet »

A focus on diet is a major part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes. For a long time, the medical world imposed a strict diet on people with diabetes. But studies have shown that the implementation of a strict diet has no health benefits in the long term. A person with type 2 diabetes, like a healthy person, needs a balanced diet.

Indeed, all food groups must be includedin each meal. Certain nutritional principles must therefore be learned and followed in order to reduce type 2 diabetes in the body.

The essential supply of nutrients in the body

Our bodies function on the daily intake of nutrients. Made up of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, these are assimilated in the body through their circulation in the blood. While all three groups are essential to our survival, the latter two require greater focus in cases of type 2 diabetes.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are sugars and can be divided into two groups:

• Simple carbohydrates refer to natural sugars (fruit) and processed sugar products (pastries, soft drinks, desserts etc.
• Complex carbohydrates, which include starches, grains and legumes

Simple carbohydrates or sugars pass quickly through the blood and are converted into energy. High in fibre, complex carbohydrates stay in the body for longer and have a low glycaemic index. Opting for the intake of complex carbohydrates is a priority for treating type 2 diabetes.

Lipids

Lipids or fats also exist in several forms:

• Unsaturated fatty acids of plant origin or found in certain oily fish such as herrings, sardines and salmon
• Saturated fatty acids of animal origin (butter, cheese, meat and eggs)

Unsaturated fatty acids contain omega-3, which is good for preventing cardiovascular disease. In contrast, saturated fatty acids stimulate the development of cholesterol, a supply of fat that is harmful to the arteries.

Proteins

Protein does not affect blood sugar but can still help manage type 2 diabetes, through its appetite-suppressing effect, for example.

Consuming proteinsmakes the body feel full. This helps to control appetite, decrease snacking between meals and eventually lose weight.

Eat balanced meals

Like everyone else, a person with type 2 diabetes should make sure that they eat a variety of foods in a balanced fashion. Eating slowly, taking the time to chew well, is also essential. All food groups should be included in each of the day’s three meals. Nevertheless, a diabetic must learn to choose foods according to their glycaemic index. Belowwe describe a balanced meal: