1. People with diabetes should not eat too much salt
Diabetics should not eat too much salt, because salt can increase the risk of high blood pressure. Therefore, in the daily diet, diabetics need to control the amount of salt, recommending not exceeding 5-6g per day.
2. Eat less red meat and processed meat
People with diabetes should limit red meat and processed meat because they often contain high levels of saturated fat and sodium salts, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure and promote progression of cardiovascular complications.
On the other hand, processed meat is also often marinated with a lot of sugar to stimulate taste buds. This can negatively affect blood sugar control. By reducing consumption of these types of meat in the diet of diabetics, patients can better control blood sugar levels and contribute to protecting cardiovascular health.
3. Eat more fruits and vegetables
People with diabetes should eat more fruits and vegetables because they are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, but have low calorie and fat content. Fiber in fruits and vegetables helps slow down the absorption of glucose and fat, thereby helping to control blood sugar levels effectively and is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Adding more vegetables and fruits to the diet of diabetics helps patients feel full longer, supports effective weight management and reduces the risk of complications related to obesity during diabetes.
4. Prioritize omega-3 fats
People with diabetes should prioritize consuming more omega-3 fats instead of animal fats or industrial cooking oils because this type of fat can help prevent cardiovascular complications by being anti-inflammatory and reducing the risk of blood clots forming atherosclerosis.
Omega-3 is abundant in fat from fatty fish (salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel...), ripe avocados, nuts and oils from them (sesame seeds, walnuts, cashews, canola oil, flaxseed oil...).
5. Cut down on added sugar
Additional sugar, commonly found in sweets, carbonated drinks and processed foods, can cause sudden blood sugar spikes after consumption.
Absorbing too much added sugar not only causes difficulties in controlling diabetes but also increases the risk of obesity, heart disease and excessive inflammatory irritation. Therefore, the diet of diabetics should cut down on unnecessary added sugar to better control blood glucose levels; thereby, helping to reduce inflammation and prevent complications effectively.
6. Limit alcohol consumption
People with diabetes need to limit excessive alcohol consumption because high alcohol content in alcohol can cause ketoacidosis (increased blood acid) and increased blood fat (increased blood triglycerides). On the other hand, drinking a lot of alcohol on an empty stomach can cause hypoglycemia and increase the risk of death in diabetic patients due to non-cardiovascular causes.
