Diabetic information is a topic that many people are interested in as the disease is now an epidemic in the United States. Over twenty four million people currently have diabetes and the American Diabetes Association experts believe another seventy-nine people are pre-diabetic. With the growing number of people with risk factors, it seems like information on diabetes mellitus is everywhere. With the advent of the World Wide Web, finding information on diabetes has never been simpler.
Regardless of what the specific content is, people can conduct a search on any engine of the Internet to find data on diabetes. Most people want to know causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and complications as the foundation of their search. These people may be curious if they are susceptible to developing the disease (risk factors) or maybe they know someone who suffers from this condition and they want to learn more about their symptoms. Other people may want to know specifically about a condition related to diabetes, such as kidney transplants, nerve damage, or foot ulcers (symptoms and complications).
Whatever data a person is looking for is available, but he or she must be leery of the information unearthed. The Internet is a wonderful place to explore, but some people may post opinions versus facts or may otherwise lead a person astray, whether intentionally or purposely. Someone who needs trusted diabetic information should frequent reliable websites such as the American Diabetes Association, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Health for legitimate data.
Diabetic Diet Information
Diabetic diet information should include data on the ratio of carbohydrates to fats and proteins as well as what constitutes good versus bad fats and simple versus complex carbohydrates. Most dieticians will recommend a diabetic eat 45-65% carbohydrates that are also high fiber such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Fats should be monounsaturated (avocadoes and nuts; olive, canola, and peanut oil) and omega-3 polyunsaturated (walnuts, flaxseed, fish) with saturated fats (red meat and dairy) being limited. Trans fats (fried, baked, and snack goods) should be a rare treat. Protein intake should be anywhere from 6-20% depending on the individual. People with kidney problems need less protein, while other people need more. Healthier sources of protein are fish and soy rather than red meat.
The diabetic diet should include a variety of foods and recipes to fit numerous people with different eating requirements like low sodium or lactose free. Average sodium intake should be less than 1500 mg per day for the average diabetic. In addition, a list of beneficial foods as well as a list of foods and drinks to avoid is helpful. These should include caffeinated and alcoholic beverages as they are high calorie, high sugar, and offer no nutrition.
Free Diabetic Information
Free diabetic information can be found in several ways. The first way is to visit your doctor and ask for a pamphlet on diabetes. They normally have very thorough worksheets and can answer questions as well as analyze your risk. Another way is to check out books at the local library. Getting a library card is free, the librarian can assist you with your book search, and you can usually keep books up to six weeks or more. The third way is to go to sites managed by The National Diabetes Education Program or the Diabetes Tool Box and request free information. They normally provide one copy at no charge and a small fee for subsequent copies.
