Lunar New Year is a time for family reunions, a traditional feast full of delicious dishes. But for people with diabetes, this is also a "sensitive" time when eating habits are easily disrupted, leading to the risk of blood disorders and complications.
Refined starch – easily pushes blood sugar up rapidly
Banh chung, banh tet, sticky rice, sweet soup, jam... are familiar dishes but contain a lot of starch and sugar. In particular, sticky rice and refined starch have a high glycemic index, causing blood sugar to rise rapidly after eating. Patients do not need to abstain completely, but should eat small portions, combined with green vegetables and lean protein to slow down glucose absorption.
High-sugar food
Jams, candies, pastries, carbonated soft drinks, milk tea or bottled fruit juice contain high levels of simple sugar but have low nutritional value. These foods easily cause blood sugar to spike, while contributing to weight gain, increased insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Patients should limit them to the maximum, prioritize fresh fruits that are less sweet and use them in moderation.
Many saturated fats and cholesterol – increase cardiovascular risk
Fried spring rolls, stir-fried sausage, braised pork, chicken skin, animal organs... are attractive but rich in saturated fat and cholesterol. Excessive consumption can worsen insulin resistance, blood lipid disorders and increase cardiovascular risk – common complications in people with diabetes.
High-salt foods – increase cardiovascular and kidney burden
Pickled onions, pickled eggplant, salted meat, dried goods, and processed foods often contain high levels of salt. Meanwhile, people with diabetes are at high risk of high blood pressure and kidney disease. Eating salty food for many days easily increases the burden on the cardiovascular system and kidneys, affecting disease control.
According to recommendations from the Central Endocrinology Hospital, patients should maintain the principle of eating regularly, dividing meals into smaller portions, not skipping meals and not "compensating" after a party. Prioritize green vegetables, lean protein (fish, lean meat, tofu), limit sweets and fats. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor blood sugar more regularly during Tet to promptly adjust the diet and medication according to the doctor's instructions.
