Diabetes

5 Ways a Dietician Can Help an Older Person with Diabetes

Older people are vulnerable to various health problems, with diabetes being one of the most common. An older diabetic can ...

Older people are vulnerable to various health problems, with diabetes being one of the most common. An older diabetic can greatly benefit from the help of a qualified dietician to help them manage their condition. A good dietician will address many issues including the following: keeping blood sugar stable, what foods to eat, what foods to avoid, exercise, and how to cope during illness.

Keeping Blood Sugar Levels Stable
Diabetes is all about blood sugar levels. If a diabetic’s blood sugar goes too low (known as hypoglycaemia) or too high (known as hyperglycaemia), this can cause various additional health problems such as nerve damage, kidney disease, eye problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even stroke. Diabetics should have their blood sugar level regularly checked.
Good Foods
The best foods for diabetics are nutritious natural foods that are full of fibre and nutrients and free from added sugar, for example non-starchy vegetables, beans, whole grains, fruit, legumes, fish, and lean meats. Many of these types of foods will digest much more slowly than processed foods, which will help prevent unbalanced blood sugar levels.
Bad Foods
The worst foods for diabetics to eat are processed foods that are high in sugar, as these will send the blood sugar soaring far too high, and the diabetic will struggle to gain control of their blood sugar level. So that means avoiding chocolate, sweets, cakes, biscuits, and sugary drinks (including cola and energy drinks).
Exercise
Although physical activity can be more of a challenge for older people, it is important for any diabetic to get regular physical activity. Regular exercise plays an important role in keeping the blood sugar level under control as it burns off excess sugar. Ideally, 30 minutes of exercise per day is recommended. If the person has trouble walking, swimming can be a good alternative.
Diabetes during Illness
When a diabetic person is ill, diabetes can be harder to manage. This is because an ill person may not be able to eat properly or get any exercise. One way to control blood sugar levels during illness is to slowly sip a sugary drink. However, blood sugar levels should be regularly monitored to make sure the diabetic is not consuming too much sugar too quickly.
– If you wish to get more information and treatments on diabetes visit The Tower Clinic, a Leeds-based health and wellbeing clinic providing an extensive range of multi-disciplinary healthcare therapies and services.

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