The Healthiest Food and Drink Choices for Type 2 Diabetes: The Body Ecology Solution
Beer and wine do have antioxidants, but find out why the wild fermentation
process used to make them is NOT so great for your health.
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On December 20th, 2006, The United Nations declared diabetes a global threat, and to help increase awareness of this epidemic, designated November 14th as “World Diabetes Day.”
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 95% of all diabetes cases, and in the U.S. alone, the number of people with this diagnosis has doubled just in the last two decades.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the blood sugar is abnormally and chronically elevated. Basically there is too much sugar out in the bloodstream yet not enough in the cells, causing extreme fatigue.
Diabetes is linked to every degenerative disease we face today including heart disease, neurological disorders, cancer, high blood pressure and kidney disease.
Diabetics are at risk for developing gangrene, loss of eyesight and even blindness. They age quickly because the high sugar levels suppress growth hormone needed to regenerate tissues.
Diabetes was once rare but today is believed to be mostly attributed to the unhealthy weight gain, obesity, and lack of exercise so common in all modern western nations. But if you look at the root cause of type 2 diabetes, you have to go deeper than overeating and lack of exercise. To learn more, read: 8 Common Misperceptions about Obesity and Why Body Ecology is the Ideal Obesity Solution.
Many of the food and lifestyle habits we’ve created contribute to a state of imbalance that can lead to patterns of illness and dis-ease, like diabetes. One way to recreate balance is to start nourishing yourself today with healthy, whole foods that support you on your path to health and healing.
So where do you start? The Body Ecology Way of Life is ideally suited as a roadmap back to health, well being and balance. Our antifungal Diet is without a doubt the perfect diet for a diabetic because diabetics have a systemic yeast infection called Candidiasis. The Body Ecology Diet is sugar-free, mineral-rich and also helps conquer this dangerous blood borne infection, candida.
As you follow our way of life, as tens of thousands now do your blood sugar will naturally become balanced and you will experience many other benefits including weight loss.
But, naturally, as you begin your new diet you still want to enjoy the food you are eating.. We all deserve to love the food we eat every day AND feel healthy and energized.
Our delicious array of health-promoting foods and beverages will add a new dimension of taste as you watch your blood sugar levels normalizing
Here are 8 of our favorite foods that go a long way in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes:
- Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
This category of vegetables really should be included in your diet every day. There are many to choose from: kale, collards, bok choy, green cabbage, turnip greens, Brussels sprouts, spinach and arugula.
Here are a few reasons why they are perfect for helping reverse type 2 diabetes
- They are very alkalizing, low in fat, high in fiber and are a rich source of magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron and calcium.
- Lutein and zeaxanthan help prevent eye problems and blindness which often result from diabetes.
- Their nutrients have been shown to help prevent bone density problems and cancer often resulting from diabetes.
We recommend cooking these vegetables to make them more digestible. When eaten raw they also suppress the thyroid.
- Sea Vegetables
Sea vegetables also top the list of superfoods that are a particularly strong ally in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.
Take a look at just a few benefits of sea vegetables:
- They contain all 56 of the minerals and trace elements your body needs, which helps reverse the serious mineral deficiencies and acidic blood that diabetes and high blood sugar cause. You especially need the minerals that help with sugar metabolism and insulin regulation.
- They help detoxify your blood, which takes some of the load off your hard-working liver. The liver is especially prone to disease in people with diabetes because it can exhaust itself trying to control blood sugar levels.
- They help balance thyroid function, which is essential energy, for proper functioning of your metabolism, and for weight control. Your thyroid is an important regulator of all your hormones in your body.
- They have powerful anti-inflammatory affects, and can boost your immunity. This is especially important if you have diabetes because of the increased risk of complications, and even death, that can result if you become ill
Sea vegetables are delicious, and easier to find and prepare than you may think. Start by reading “8 Healthy Seaweeds Worth Knowing and Trying
- Celtic Sea Salt
This mineral rich salt is a must in your daily cooking. You will most likely crave salt so if you are using high-quality sea salt you can enjoy this delicious seasoning without guilt. Your body needs it.
- Cod Liver Oil, Raw Butter and Ghee
These fats contain two important fat-soluble vitamins, A and D. High levels of Vitamin A from these animal foods are absolutely essential for the diabetic because they are unable to convert the carotenes in plant foods into true Vitamin A. Vitamins A and D also protect against kidney problems and eye disease found in diabetics. Vitamin D is necessary for the production of insulin.
- Cod LIver oil also has powerful, anti-inflammatory properties.
- Foods Rich in Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Once denounced as unhealthy, animal fat is actually starting to be recognized for its health benefits. In fact, animal fat is a great source of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid).
CLA is an essential fatty acid that is critical in the fight against diabetes because it:
- Enhances metabolism.
- Helps reduce body fat and increases lean muscle.
- Boosts immunity
- Has been shown to have a significant effect in lowering insulin resistance and maintaining blood sugar levels.
Some great sources of CLA are organic:
- Fermented Foods and Drinks
Our ancestors used fermentation to preserve foods, or to pre-digest foods that are difficult for our bodies to digest, like grains.
While fermented foods and drinks are still popular in some cultures, they are virtually absent in the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.), which is very sad indeed.
Fermented foods and drinks are incredibly healthy, and particularly beneficial for you if you have high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes because they:
- Populate your gut with healthy microflora (beneficial bacteria and yeast), which help fight pathogenic bacteria and candida that are extremely common, and cause serious complications in diabetics. That’s because these organisms thrive on sugar.
- Improve the digestion and absorption of vitamins and minerals you take into your body, and are very high in vitamin and mineral content themselves.
- Are alkaline foods, which are needed to balance the acidity caused by high blood sugar.
- Help diminish cravings and make it easier to lose weight.
- Boost your immunity, which helps prevent illness or diseases that can further complicate diabetes.
Three great drink options are Young Coconut Kefir, cultured veggies or our ready-made probiotic liquid, Innergy-Biotic.
- Low Sugar/High Protein “Grains” That Aren’t Grains At All
Many of the grains and grain products (like pasta and bread) on the market today are highly processed, nutrient-deficient, high-gluten foods, which feed candida and actually contribute to obesity and diabetes.
We recommend these grain-like seeds instead:
- Millet
- Amaranth
- Buckwheat
- Quinoa
- Grain-like seeds are great for your health because they are:
- Naturally high in proteins, vitamins and minerals.
- A good source of B Vitamins including Vitamin B6 which is essential for carbohydrate metabolism.
- Sugar and gluten-free. Both sugar and gluten create a sticky, mucousy environment in your intestines that leads to constipation and other intestinal problems. Also, pathogenic microflora like to grow and multiply in this toxic environment.
- Regular grains like rice, wheat, rye and barley feed candida and elevate blood sugar levels even higher.
- Fiber rich, which is essential to slow the entrance of sugar into your blood and to help keep your intestines well hydrated.
- Prebiotics – which means they support the growth of healthy microflora in your gut, boosting your immunity and disease fighting power.
For important information on these grains, and how to prepare them, read: The Risks of Consuming Typical Grains and the Healthy Grains to Choose Instead
Lakanto is the tastiest, most convenient sugar substitute you will find anywhere. It has zero calories, won’t raise your blood sugar, and can be used in a one-to-one ratio in any recipe calling for sugar... which makes it perfect for baking. Best of all, it’s GOOD for you!
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to the right insert picture of Lakanto in orange box with caption:
- Body Ecology Lakanto and Stevia
Strict carbohydrate restriction is necessary for diabetics. But this does not mean you have to stop enjoying the sweet taste. Many people with diabetes try to satisfy their sweet tooth with artificial sweeteners, which have far too many health risks to list here.
You should know that artificial sweeteners interfere with your body’s ability to lose weight and maintain balanced blood sugar levels. In fact, they cause weight gain.
We recommend two truly safe and natural sweeteners Lakanto, and Stevia which:
- Do NOT feed candida
- Have zero calories
- Won’t raise your blood sugar
- And are completely safe for diabetics
In fact, Lakanto has been enjoyed in Japan for over ten years. The Japanese Ministry of Health not only approves Lakanto, they actually recommend it for obesity and blood sugar related problems.
Prevent and Treat Type 2 Diabetes with a Body Ecology Lifestyle
Most of us have been so busy that fast food, packaged foods and vending machines have become a routine part of our lives. But it’s never too late to change your habits AND reverse conditions like high blood sugar and Type 2 Diabetes.
You owe it to yourself and to your loved ones to bring your blood sugar levels back to normal. And while all new habits take time, we invite you to consider shifting yours...just one meal at a time.
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