What is Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, more commonly known as diabetes, is a chronic disease that occurs when blood sugar levels exceed normal limits. This condition is caused by impaired insulin production in the pancreas or the body's inability to utilize insulin properly. As a result, sugar, which should enter cells to be converted into energy, instead accumulates in the blood, triggering various health problems.
Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus
Recognizing diabetes symptoms early is crucial to ensure prompt treatment and prevent complications. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Often feel thirsty , the body loses a lot of fluids due to high blood sugar levels.
- Excessive urination , the kidneys work extra hard to get rid of excess sugar.
- Easily hungry , body cells lack energy because glucose does not enter properly.
- Get tired quickly , energy is not formed optimally so the body easily becomes weak.
- Wounds are difficult to heal , blood flow and nerve function are disrupted due to high sugar levels.
Serious complications that can occur if diabetes is not managed include kidney damage, impaired vision, heart disease, and the risk of amputation.
Diabetes mellitus can be managed by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining an ideal body weight, and following the medication recommended by your doctor.
Recommended Foods
To help control blood sugar levels, people with diabetes are advised to consume a balanced, nutritious diet with healthier choices. Here are some food options:
- Low-fat animal protein: skinless chicken, low-cholesterol eggs, egg whites, and lean meat.
Vegetable protein: tempeh, tofu, green beans, red beans, peanuts, and soybeans. - High-fiber vegetables: kale, long bean leaves, chayote, cucumber, tomato, water pumpkin, cauliflower, turnip, mustard greens, lettuce, celery, and eggplant.
- Low sugar fruits: oranges, apples, papaya, water apples, snake fruit, star fruit, and pears.
- Healthy carbohydrate sources: replace rice with high-fiber brown rice.
- Healthy sweetener: replace sugar with corn sugar.
Foods to Limit
Not all foods should be avoided, but there are some that should be limited in portion sizes to maintain stable blood sugar levels. The following foods are worth paying attention to:
- Carbohydrates: porridge, bread, noodles, rice, potatoes, cassava, sweet potatoes, sago, wheat, pasta, corn, taro, cereal, sticky rice, and macaroni.
- Protein: corned beef, sausage, sardines, brains, offal, and egg yolks.
- Certain vegetables: spinach, green beans, melinjo leaves, chayote, cassava leaves, sweet potato leaves, young corn, snow peas, long beans, bitter melon, carrots, and katuk leaves.
- Fruits with a high glycemic index: pineapple, grapes, mango, soursop, banana, avocado, sapodilla, watermelon, and ripe jackfruit.
Processed and fatty foods: fried foods, as well as those using coconut milk, sweet soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
Foods to Avoid
In addition to foods that are quite restricted, there are also types of food and drinks that should be completely avoided because they can worsen diabetes. Some of these include:
- High-fat processed products: cheese, shredded meat, beef jerky, and full-cream milk.
- Sweet and preserved fruits: durian, jackfruit, avocado, dates, and candied fruit.
- Unhealthy drinks: alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, sweetened condensed milk, ice cream, sweetened yogurt, and high-fat milk.
- Sweeteners high in sugar: granulated sugar, brown sugar, rock sugar and honey.
Processed sweet foods/drinks: cakes, cookies, dodol, syrup, sweet jam, chocolate, and packaged drinks.
When Should You Consult a Doctor?
Maintaining a healthy diet by choosing recommended foods, limiting risky foods, and avoiding harmful ones is an important step in helping control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. However, everyone's body type is different. Therefore, it's best to consult a doctor or nutritionist to find a diet tailored to your individual needs.
See a doctor immediately if you have difficulty controlling your blood sugar levels, or if you experience symptoms such as slow-healing wounds, blurred vision, frequent fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. Appropriate medical treatment will help prevent serious complications and maintain an optimal quality of life.
Article written by Dr. Fenny Elvina Ridho, Sp.PD – FINASIM (Internal Medicine Specialist, EMC Cikarang Hospital).