When a person has been identified to be glucose intolerant, it is important to follow glucose intolerance diet. The diet will make sure that the condition does not blow up into full-fledged diabetes. Scroll down to know the changes, you will have to make to your diet.
Glucose intolerance is a kind of digestive disorder. In this condition, the body finds it difficult to digest sugar from food items like carbohydrates and sweet meats. If the condition is not controlled, it can eventually give rise to insulin resistance and/or diabetes, however not necessarily always so. Over a period of time, the body’s normal response to insulin in the body decreases. This condition is known as insulin resistance. Glucose intolerance symptoms include constant feeling of thirst, excessive hunger, fatigue, etc. If any of the symptoms are observed, it is important to have oneself checked for the same. At the same time, the diet will have to be modified and one should start following diet for glucose intolerance. With simple dietary changes and keeping blood sugar under control will ensure one is able to keep diabetes at bay.
Foods for Glucose Intolerance
Blood sugar is created by breaking down carbohydrates. In case of glucose intolerance, the body is not able to make use of the energy efficiently, which causes the blood sugar levels in the body to go up. Hence, it is important to make sure that the person’s diet has glucose intolerant foods.
Fruits and Vegetables
It is a well-known fact that fruits and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber. They help to keep blood sugar levels under control. Along with fruits and vegetables, food high in fiber include nuts, beans, peas, lentils, wheat bran, etc., should also be a part of ones diet to counter glucose intolerance.
Healthy Fish
Fishes like tuna, cod, halibut, etc., are low on saturated fat and cholesterol, hence should be a part of ones diet. Salmon, mackerel and herring are fishes which are rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids, should be a part of the diet as well.
Lean Meat
Red meat should not be a part of this diet. If eating red meat is a must, then only lean cuts should be consumed, as red meat is high in fats. Instead one should stick to eating lean meat like chicken and turkey to keep fats at bay.
Oatmeal
People who are glucose intolerant can eat about 1 ½ cups of oatmeal in a single meal. However, one should not exceed this recommended per meal carbohydrates intake. If more than 1 ½ cups of oatmeal is consumed it can disturb the blood sugar levels. Remember, oats labeled gluten-free, can be consumed.
Complex Carbohydrates
It is best to keep away from processed carbohydrates. Instead make complex carbohydrates a part of your regular diet. Include whole wheat bread, wheat bran, oat bran, unpolished rice, etc. in the diet. They do not cause the blood sugar levels to surge up, as they take time for digestion and assimilation in the body.
Diet Plan for Glucose Intolerance
Here are two sample impaired glucose intolerance diet plans. Using these diet plans, you can design a diet plan for yourself.
PLAN I
| Breakfast | Lunch | Afternoon Snack |
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| Dinner | Before Bedtime |
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PLAN II
| Breakfast | Lunch | Afternoon Snack |
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Dinner
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Before Bedtime |
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Points to be Noted
We often tend to check the sugar content in a particular food item, however, it is the carbohydrates content, which needs to be checked as opposed to the sugar content. Carbohydrates are present in sugar, sugar alcohol, starch food, etc. The food that one should stay away from include bread, rice crackers, potatoes, corn, dried beans, cereal (for the gluten content), soda, candy, cookies, sweets, etc.
In this diet, it is important that one avoids processed foods, as they are rich in saturated fats, trans-fat and refined sugar. All of these are not healthy, as they can contribute to increase in glucose levels after eating. It is also recommended that one stays away from sugars, as well as the various sweeteners that are available in the market. The artificial sweeteners are looked upon as alternative to sugar, but they have the same effect on the body as sugar has.
When the symptoms of glucose intolerance are seen, it is necessary one consults a dietitian and gets a diet plan chalked out. Having an exercise regime in place will also go a long way in keeping the condition under check. One should be diligent in following the diet, to ensure one is not affected with diabetes. In other words, instead of saying prevention is better than cure, I would rather say, prevention is the best cure. Simple lifestyle changes will go a long way in leading a healthy life.
