Instant Access To 100,000+ Essays!

Living With Diabetes 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