Living with diabetes and trying to stay healthy takes a bit more work than someone without diabetes, but it can be done. Diabetes - also known medically as diabetes mellitus - is a group of diseases that affect they way your body uses blood sugar (glucose). This sugar is vital to your health because it is your body's main source of fuel (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research [MFMER], 2001). That fuel or energy is essential for all of the body's organs to function. Diabetics must maintain a healthy well-balanced diet that also meets the nutritional needs (Blackstone 143). Also, exercise is more essential for diabetics (Lifestyle, 2002). The positive side of being diabetic is ideal weight loss and increased energy (Kilo & Williamson 69).
Diabetics live with a diet high in a variety of proteins and complex carbohydrates, only a small amount of fat and sugar, and insignificant amount of simple carbohydrates. Diabetics are encouraged to eat foods high in protein such as beans, fish, or other meats. Complex carbohydrates should be the main source of calories in our food - not fat (Foster-Powell, et al 30). Simple carbohydrates, breads, pastas, rice, and practically all sweets, are very bad for diabetics (Blackstone 147). These people cannot just grab something and start snaking on it, they have to be very careful and read all the nutrition labels. Another setback of being diabetic is when they are at a place where food is already prepared and there are hardly any choices that adhere to the diabetic's dietary guidelines. It is such a hassle to have to go out and acquire or prepare a separate meal that suits the guidelines (Blackstone 81). How about when a diabetic is at a birthday party with many friends and family and it comes time for cake, and everybody gets a piece except for the diabetic, it is terrible. Some of those people are emotionally affected by a little event such as that.