Diabetes represents one of the common affections of health, both in America, as well as worldwide. Over 29 million people in the United States alone live with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. And, although statistics suggest that elders are more disposed to developing diabetes at one stage of their seniority, diabetes continues to affect many children and teenagers as well.
Unfortunately, anyone in this world can develop type 2 diabetes, which comes, most commonly, out of poor lifestyle choices and sedentary. Having a balanced diet and controlling everything you eat comes as a lifestyle once you are diagnosed with diabetes and, unfortunately, it will remain the same for the rest of one’s life since there is yet no cure for this disease.
However, preaching for a healthy lifestyle and physical activity is easier said than done. Our jobs, our stress at home, constant struggle to offer our offspring and family a better life remain the daily primordial problems and, let’s face it, after a full day at work and some other errands to be done, how many of you still have the energy to cook a delicious and healthy meal or hit the gym for at least one hour?
For those of us who do not always have the time to cook nor the money to eat at raw, vegan, coleslaw, organic restaurants, fast food chains remain the steadiest option. Burgers, cheeseburgers, apple pies, cheesecakes, onion rings, deep fries, tapas, tortilla wraps, burritos, pizzas – everyone will most likely drool at the very image of these comfort foods.
And, in the end, why not enjoy some of them once in a while?
But is pizza and, fast food in general, a true deal for diabetics? The short answer would be no. At least, not the frozen pizza you get from your local store at 10 in the night when there is nothing else to eat in the house.
The main problem with pizza, when having diabetes, is that it often comes with tons of fats, carbohydrates, salt and sugar, which are not exactly the healthiest ingredients for anyone’s diet. But not everything is as tragic as it may seem at the very first sight. Diabetics can literally indulge in the same types of foods like all other people, except that they have to take medication and still keep a certain lifestyle regime. Which, in fact, is something we all do when we want to lose some weight, stay fit or simply live a longer, healthier existence.
So here are some tips for those of you who suffer from diabetes but still want to take a full bite of life, with all its guilty pleasures and indulgences:
- Eat everything you want, but with moderation. Those who are not intolerant to sugar can still enjoy a chocolate tablet, a cheesecake or an Asian menu, full of spices. The trick is to stick to small portions and always have your insulin shot before to regulate your metabolism. Those who cannot eat anything containing sugar could redirect their cravings to raw sweets or foods, created with natural sweeteners and absolutely perfect for their balanced diet. Not to mention, there are plenty of restaurants or fast food chains that offer delicious substitutes for those with food regimes.
- Eat that pizza if you want to. In fact, pizzas could be one of the healthiest choices in a fast food’s chain menu. The key is to choose a thin-crust type and, as much as possible, avoid greasy meats in it. Instead, you can top it with tons of veggies and as little as oily foods as possible. You can “trick” your insulin regime to adapt to fast foods as well, as long as you make sure you did the smart choice. Remember, you can eat almost anything you want, but it’s how you eat it that is truly important. Do not jump on jumbo or king size portions and, if you want to indulge yourself in fast food choices, make sure that at least the other two meals of the day contain balanced foods, including fresh fruits and veggies, veggie wraps, salads or raw sweets. Do not forget to drink as much water as you can and sleep accordingly to your schedule.
