Diabetic

=**Diabetic Diet** =

**Definition**

===Diabetes is a group of disorders where one's processes in relation to insulin become impaired. It can be classified into two major diseases, type one and type two. Type one diabetes consists of the body's inability to produce insulin. Type two diabetes is the result of a body with insulin resistance, which means the body is incapable of properly utilizing insulin. Insulin is a hormone which regulates concentration of glucose and other sugars, and without it, the body's sugar levels are seldom stable, as the sugars cannot enter any cells. This results in the need to constantly regulate one's sugar intake in order to compensate for this insulin deficiency. This leads to the connundrum where one does not use sugar as fuel, yet has a high blood sugar level.===




 * Factors which cause diabetes:**

There are several factors which affect the likelihood of one developing diabetes. It is an interal disorder, and not a contagious disease. One factor is genetics, as certain genes will inhibit the use or creation of insulin. This is the cause for most type 1 cases, where the body is unable to produce insulin due to a genetic mishap.

Type 2 to diabetes is far more common than type one, In fact, 95% of all cases of diabetes are type 2. This would simply be because the disorder is most commonly caused by an healthy lifestyle. This is a main reason why most persons whom suffer from diabetes are also obese. An excess of consuming fatty foods and sugars without accompanying exercise will cause the body to develop a resistance to insulin, due to overuse. Genetics increases the likelihood of developing diabetes, but it is not usually a direct cause.

Pre-diabetes also exists. This is the stage between a non-diabetic and full blown type 2, where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, yet not high enough to be considered within the diabetic range. Unlike types 1 and 2, it is recoverable and should be taken as a warning sign, as one with pre-diabetes is 10-20 times more likely to get type 2 diabetes than normal. It is recommended that a subject suffering from pre-diabetes to take immediate action, reducing the intake of fats and sugars, as well as making sure to get enough exercise.

Another less major form of diabetes is gestational diabetes, which occurs late during some pregnancies, and is caused by hormonal imbalance. This will fade in time; however, those whom suffer from gestational diabetes also have a fair chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

Another interesting cause is that as you get older, the risk of getting diabetes increases, even if a person is thin. It is speculated that this is because as your cell progress in age, they could possibly become more resistant and resilient towards insulin. It could also be due to the inefficiencies in the pancreas as one ages (in other words, the pancreas ages with you).


 * Who choses to follow this diet and why?**

Those whom follow this diet are forced to due to medical reasons. They could suffer horrid consequences otherwise. In fact, they can expect to suffer from blindness, cardio-vascular failure, stroke, nerve damage, limb loss, and, if pregnant, miscarriage and birth defects. Less dire consequences include fatigue and dehydration.

A more detailed list of the lighter adverse effects of diabetes would be as follows:


 * //Being excessively thirsty//
 * //Passing more urine//
 * //Feeling tired and lethargic//
 * //Always feeling hungry//
 * //Having cuts that heal slowly//
 * //Itching, skin infections//
 * //Blurred vision//
 * //Unexplained weight loss//
 * //Mood swings//
 * //Headaches//
 * //Feeling dizzy//
 * //Leg cramps//

//List Courtesy of Diabetes Australia//

As stated above, diabetes can be a very dangerous disorder. In 2006 A.D. it was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
 * Diabetes can be dangerous:**

Here are three possible extremes:

__Hypoglycaemia:__ Hypoglycaemia is when blood sugar levels drop to dangerously low levels. This can be caused by too much exercise or too little food, or by taking alcohol or too much insulin. This causes one to feel fatigued and generally down, and, if allowed to escalate, could lead to unconsciousness and fits. In early stages, the best cures would be a sugar boost or shot of insulin (yes, this is the time to take a soda). If the condition worsens, glucagon should be administered. Glucagon is a hormone with raises glucose levels in the bloodstream, and is injected in a similar fashion to insulin.

__Hyperglycaemia:__ Another potentially dangerous condition, hyperglycaemia is the opposite of hypoglycaemia. It is when blood sugar levels spike to dangerously high levels, and is commonly caused by too much sugar with too little insulin, but can also be easily caused by stress or other sickness (i.e. infection). This can lead to weight loss, dehydration, increase urination, fatigue, and vision impairment. For type 2 diabetics, it common for blood sugar levels to drop and rise throughout a day. Type 1 diabetics may want to take an injection of insulin in order to stop the condition from degrading into ketoacidosis. In either case, if the blood sugar levels remain high for an extended amount time, it is recommended for one to visit a certified physician and additional support.

__Ketoacidosis:__ This is a very serious condition which mainly occurs in type 1 diabetics (there are very few recorded cases of it happening in type 2 diabetes) where there is not enough insulin in the body. Without insulin, the body cannot use sugars for energy. Thus the body instead burns up fats rapidly for energy, causing the release of deadly substances called ketones. It is advised that one immediately gets medical help if this condition appears.

For more concise information on these dangerous conditions, please once again refer to the following webpages


 * Treatments**

Unfortunately, there is no cure to chronic diabetes. There is, however, one very effective treatment: artificial insulin. This allows one to bypass any inability to produce insulin, and usual bypasses any body resistance. This is the only real solid medical treatment, but supplimentary treatments would include a restricted diet, avoidance of alchohol, and exercise. Insulin is administered in an intervenous injection.


 * Types of food that diabetic patients eat, and the diet which follows: Pros and Cons**

The proper diet of a diabetic is not restricted by what he or she can eat, but rather by what he or she cannot. Persons with diabetes must avoid the consumption of fatty and sugary foods. Processed foods are also to be avoided, as they many times contain far more sugars and fats than the non-processed alternatives. Although persons with type 2 diabetes can potentially limit their intake of insulin to emergencies, persons with type 1 diabetes must take regular doses of insulin in order for their bodies to use glucose as sugar, and avoid ketoacidosis.

This is a radical step for most people, who now learn that they can no longer to the sugary goodness (or not) that they once enjoyed, or at least not in the quantities they had them before. This normally means that fast foods and sticky treat are to be disregarded, but, as mentioned before, a can of cola could potentially save your life in the case of hypoglycaemia. Blood pressure levels must be constantly monitored; a medical procedure that must become routine, as well as the intake of insulin for some.

On the positive side, the diabetic diet is almost guaranteed to make you healthier if it is accompanied by an appropriate amount of exercise. The restriction of fats and sugars helps in many factors (including the more obvious one's relating to obesity), and benefits one's health greatly. In fact, could be possibly said in some far-fetched way that diabetes is one of the healthier disorders to get (even though it many times stems from the unhealthy), as it forces one to take a different, healthier approach to life, ensuring that, although chronic, diabetes is a disorder that is perfectly livable, and those persons whom are careful can easily thrive throughout its reign.


 * Recommended Recipes**

These are two recipes recommended for diabetic patients. These foods were designed to allow diabetic patients to consume substitutes to foods that the can no longer eat.

**Recipe 1 (Savory): Tuna burger** [|Link]to the recipe of Tuna burger

Serving Size: 2 burgers

Ingredients:
 *  10 oz ahi tuna, divided into 2 portions
 *  1 tbsp olive oil
 *  2 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted
 *  2 tbsp pesto
 *  1 tomato, sliced
 *  ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
 *  2 cups lettuce
 *  salt and pepper

Method:
 * 1) Mix the tuna with the olive oil.
 * 2) Mold it into the shape of a patty.
 * 3) Grill/Cook both sides on high heat for 2 minutes or until the outside is charred lightly, but the inside is still pink.
 * 4) Add the tuna, tomato, onion, pesto, and lettuce to the buns.
 * 5) <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Serve and Enjoy

<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was a great dish. Perhaps the only real downside was that the tuna patty sometimes fell apart. This is easily rectified by adding some egg, which acts as a natural glue.


 * Recipe 2 (Sweet): Chocolate Mousse **

<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Link to the Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:
 * 2 tbsp Cocoa Powder
 * 1 tbsp Cornstarch
 * 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
 * 1/8 tsp Salt
 * 385 ml Skim Evaporated Milk
 * 1/2 cup Frozen Egg Product, thawed
 * 7 g Unflavored Gelatin
 * 1/4 cup Cold Water
 * 1/4 cup Sugar Substitute (Aspartame, Stevia, Sucrolose, etc.)
 * 1sp Vanilla
 * 3 Egg Whites(Large)
 * Shaved Chocolate and whipped cream for garnish

Directions:
 * 1) Combine the cocoa, cornstarch, flour, and salt in a saucepan.
 * 2) Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth.
 * 3) Heat the mix on medium, stirring constantly, until boiling. Then remove from heat.
 * 4) Whisk the egg product with the chocolate mixture.
 * 5) Add the gelatin to the water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
 * 6) Whisk the gelatin into the chocolate mixture.
 * 7) Heat the mixture on medium for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens. Do not let it boil
 * 8) Stir in the sugar substitute and vanilla.
 * 9) Cover with a plastic wrap and cool for 30 minutes.
 * 10) Beat the mix heavily until thick and creamy.
 * 11) Beat the egg whites until foamy.
 * 12) Gently Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.
 * 13) Cover with a plastic wrap and chill for several hours until it sets.
 * 14) Garnish with chocolate and whipped toppings.
 * 15) Serve and Enjoy

Disregarding the sugar substitute altogether makes for an interesting dish as well!

**Bibliography & Works Cited:**

"Chocolate Mousse | Free Recipes | Company's Coming." Company's Coming - Canada's Most Popular Cookbooks & Recipes. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Diabetes Recipe: Tuna Burger - Recipes for Diabetics." DiabeticLifestyle: Recipes and Practical Information for Managing Diabetes. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Diabetic Delight | Better Recipes." Diabetic Recipes | Recipes | Better Recipes. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Diabetic Pizza Recipes - Childrens Diabetic Recipes." Easy Diabetic Recipes - Quick, Delicious, and Free Recipes. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Eskimo Cubes for Summer Recipe - Allrecipes.com." Allrecipes.com - Recipes, Menus, Meal Ideas, Food, and Cooking Tips. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Savory Garlic Shrimp: Diabetes Recipe | Education.com." Education.com | An Education & Child Development Site for Parents | Parenting & Educational Resource. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Spaghetti Pie | Better Recipes." Diabetic Recipes | Recipes | Better Recipes. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix Recipe - CooksRecipes.com." CooksRecipes.com - Recipes, Cooking Tips, Food, Meal Ideas, Menu Planning. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Diabetes (Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2) Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis on MedicineNet.com." Medicinenet. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Diabetes Mellitus." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >. "Diabetes Risks, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Information on EMedicineHealth.com." Emedicinehealth. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. < [] >.

Article written by: Dong Hun Shin, Y9, student, New International School of Thailand Jamie Sriya, Y9, student, New International School of Thailand