How many meals a diabetic person must have in a day
3 meals a day is not enough for a diabetic patient
For a diabetic person, one of the most challenging tasks is to keep their blood sugar levels in check. A drastic drop in the sugar level often leads to seizures and nervous system damage. To avoid such complications, they are required to maintain the numbers throughout the day, which can be achieved only by planning the meal strategically.
Since childhood, we have been told that three square meals a day are significant to get all the essential nutrients and energy for the body to function properly. But when it comes to a person with diabetes, only three large meals a day might not be enough.
How many meals a diabetic patient must have
People
with type 2 diabetes have better blood glucose control if they have
their carbohydrates at small intervals throughout the day. Having a
large meal at one time increases their blood sugar levels drastically,
even if they are on medication. People suffering from diabetes must
spread out their carbohydrate and glucose intake equally throughout the
day, rather than having a large quantity at once.
What the study says
As
per a study published in 2018 in Diabetes & Metabolism, consuming
frequent meals is a far better option for people suffering from
diabetes. This conclusion was made based on a study carried out on 47
adults who either had diabetes or were prediabetic. The participants
were divided into three groups- In two of the groups, people were
prediabetic, while the third group of people had diabetes. The
volunteers of each group were asked to follow a weight-maintaining diet
for 12 weeks in which they had to eat either three or six meals a day.
After 12 weeks, their eating planning was swapped. At the end of 24
weeks, it was found that the participants who ate smaller and more
frequent meals were able to manage their blood sugar level more easily.
Pros and cons of having smaller meals
Smaller
meals keep your blood sugar levels stabilised. It helps to avoid larger
swings in blood glucose, which is common in people who take only two to
three meals a day. Besides, it keeps you fuller for a longer time and
prevents you from indulging in unhealthy foods.
If you are someone trying shed kilos then eating small meals might not be a good idea as you could easily eat more calories. You need to be quite cautious in this case.
The bottom line
Eat more healthy and nutritious foods like whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, non-fat or low-fat dairy, and lean meats. Healthier food choices are good for everyone, including for one suffering from diabetes. Make sure you do not skip any meal, especially breakfast because the first meal of the day helps to jump-start your metabolism and makes you less likely to overeat later. Keep monitoring your blood sugar level to adjust your medication and diet accordingly.