THE APPLICATION OF TURBO DIETA IN THE DIET OF DIABETICS
Weight reduction is one of the biggest problems for most, mainly type 2, diabetics. This can be effectively helped by including protein-based shake mix powders, such as Turbo dieta®, in the diet.
Given the complexity of diabetes treatment and the ever present danger of hypoglycaemia as a side effect of medication treatment, the use of these products requires special attention and a specialist doctor and a dietician should be consulted.
In general, the following principles should be considered
1. Using shake-mix powders is an option mainly for those taking tablets to decrease blood sugar levels; replacing maximum two-, in some cases one meal a day. As most diabetics achieve weight loss when on 1200 calories a day, the ideal times for using the shake mix are the morning and the evening meals, when in addition to consuming the two meals a lunch and two snacks containing 600-650 calories, with 90-100 g carbohydrate is recommended. In case blood sugar levels are elevated, 7-10 mmol/l, when starting to use the shake mix it is not necessary to make any changes to the tablet treatment. However, if blood sugar levels are in the normal range during the initial weight loss it will be necessary to decrease the dose of the tablets in order to avoid hypoglycaemia. It is important not to lose more than 1.5-5kgs a months, despite the promised rapid weight loss, as this is the only way of maintaining a lower body weight in the long term. The recommended duration of each diet is a maximum of 3 months. If the diabetic patient replaces one meal a day with the shake mix powder that meal must be the evening meal as this will provide a slower but sustained loss of body weight. In that case the calorie intake, within the diet, may be increased by 250-300 calories including a rise of 45-50grs in carbohydrates.
2. In case of insulin treatment the shake mix powder may also be use but only together with intensive insulin therapy where the patient takes fast- or ultra fast acting insulin with each main meal. In that case the shake mix should be use to replace one meal, the evening meal only. The dose of insulin before the evening meal is to be decreased by at least 50%. At the same time the calorie and carbohydrate content of the other two meals should be decreased by 20% along with a 1-2 Unit decrease in the dose of insulin as this is the only way to reach a 1-1.5kg weight loss
It must be pointed out that in using a weight loss diet with shake mix powder, blood sugar levels need to be measured more frequently than before, usually after consuming the shake mix as this is the only way to titrate the necessary insulin dose and to avoid a hypoglycaemic state.
József Fövényi dr.
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