There are many misconceptions about a diet for Diabetes, so our Dietitians at Greensborough Nutrition are here to myth bust for you! Our Dietitians provide you with assistance to optimise your blood glucose levels, manage your weight and general wellbeing. We can help you to:
Understand how foods impact your blood glucose levels
Provide you with confidence to choose more nutritious products at the supermarket
Understand carbohydrate counting and meal planning
Optimise your diet to include foods you love, whilst also reaching your health goals
Assist with weight reduction strategies, where appropriate
Assist you to reduce Diabetes related complications by managing your blood glucose levels
Develop nutrition strategies that consider other health conditions you may present with such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Gastroparesis.
Our Dietitians can assist clients with Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Pre-Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes.
What is Pre-Diabetes? Did you know that two million Australians have Pre-Diabetes and approximately 5-10% of people develop Type Two Diabetes each year? Pre-diabetes occurs when your blood glucose levels are elevated but not elevated enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes.
Pre diabetes can be classified by two conditions: Impaired fasting glucose: This means that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal after fasting for eight hours, however they are not high enough for a Diabetes diagnosis.
Impaired Glucose Tolerance: Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, two hours after an oral glucose tolerance test, but not high enough to be diagnosed as Diabetes.
What is Type 2 Diabetes? Type 2 Diabetes represents approximately 85-90% of all Diabetes cases. Type 2 Diabetes is generally a condition that develops over a few years. Risk factors include a family history of diabetes, a history of Gestational Diabetes, carrying excess weight, elevated cholesterol levels, poor diet and limited physical activity.
In those with Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin is not working effectively and as a result, blood glucose levels become higher than normal. Prolonged high blood glucose levels can result in short term complications such as fatigue and dehydration, as well as longer term consequences such as damage to your blood vessels and nerves.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes include:
Excessive thirst
Lethargy or feeling tired
Increased appetite
Wounds that heal slowly
Mood swings
Feeling dizzy
No Symptoms
Not all people with Type 2 Diabetes will have symptoms of concern. Having a Diabetes screening test with your doctor will inform you of your Diabetes status. For those with Type 2 Diabetes, it is important to seek appropriate healthcare and treatments that reduce blood glucose levels back to the target range, to reduce the risk of complications.
What is Type 1 Diabetes? Type 1 Diabetes is generally diagnosed in those under the age of 30, however it can occur at any age. It is considered an autoimmune condition and not the result of poor eating or exercise habits. There are 134,000 Australians currently living with Type 1 Diabetes. In those with Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin as the immune system destroys the body’s insulin making cells. This means that without replacement insulin, the body is unable to use glucose as energy for its cells.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes include:
Excessive thirst
Lethargy or feeling tired
Increased appetite
Wounds that heal slowly
Mood swings
Feeling dizzy
Unexplained weight loss
If you are concerned that you may have Diabetes, please speak with your General Practitioner.
What is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational Diabetes affects approximately one in six pregnancies. It is diagnosed when higher than normal blood glucose levels appear during pregnancy. Most of the time, women with Gestational Diabetes will not have Diabetes once the baby is born.
Some risk factors for Gestational Diabetes:
Being 40 years or older
Have a family history of Type Two Diabetes
Have previously had elevated blood glucose levels
Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Have previously had Gestational Diabetes in a previous pregnancy
Being of African, Melanesian, Polynesian, South Asian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic and South American background.
Being of Aboriginal, Torres Straight Island or First Nations heritage
Helpful Links for those with Diabetes or those interested in learning more about Diabetes: