During the Christmas holidays, hospital admissions of people with diabetes for decompensations in their blood glucose levels increase."Although we do not have this statistically quantified, it is a reality that is repeated every year," says the professor of Medicine and Head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the Juan Negrín Hospital in Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, Pedro de Pablos.
However, this does not mean that they have to spend Christmas with great sacrifices, since following simple guidelines will allow them to enjoy special dishes without putting their health at risk.The Pablos doctor explains that the first thing that must be done before deciding whether a food is taken or is not to analyze the menu set, having special surveillance with carbohydrates, which are those that will later become sugars.
For example, if you take a first and second light dish, in dessert you can "raise your hand" and eat something sweet.On the contrary, if either of the two main dishes has been overwhelming, it is advisable not to take dessert or opt for a piece of fruit.
The variety of foods that people with diabetes can take during these days is wide.Vegetables, oven fish and seafood generally do not generate problems with these patients "clams, lobster and prawns are foods with few carbohydrates and with little caloric load. If they are accompanied by mahonesa, there areTo be careful and not take too much, "he explains of Pablos.As for meats, the roasted lamb - without the skin - is also a very advisable option, just like turkey."You should only be careful with the filling if it is cooked in this way," says the endocrine.
can take the 12 grapes
Regarding fruits, those that present less problems are melon, watermelon, grapefruit and papaya.According to the expert, you have to be more moderate with cherries, chirimoya, fresh fig, chaqui, guava, mango and grapes."However, there is no problem in taking the twelve grapes on New Year's Eve because they do not exceed 75 grams that are recommended not to exceed," says Pablos.
On the other hand, with the potatoes you must be more cautious, since they are very rich in carbohydrates and can have many calories depending on how they prepare."If fried are taken, we would have to try to compensate with the rest of the menu," warns the head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the Juan Negrín de las Palmas Hospital in Gran Canarias.
Special attention suppose 'Light' products."The 'light' denomination means that they have less calories than the original food, but many times they still have many," recalls from Pablos, who adds that "you have to take some care with the Christmas products without sugar such as nougat and mazapan,Since, despite not containing sugar, they still have many calories because of their high content of nuts and honey. "
In addition, the expert recommends asking what is the sweetener that is used since fructose and sorbitol, "although they do not produce sugar peaks, in the long term they can carry problems," alert of Pablos."Yes, sweetened food or aspartamFrom Roscón de Reyes if it is not accompanied by chocolate, "says Pablos.
Therapeutic novelties
Recently, a new family of drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors have been incorporated into the treatment of type 2 diabetes.This group belongs 'NGOLYZA' 5 mg tablets (Saxagliptin), by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Astrazeneca.
These medications, which inhibit the enzyme 4- Diphidyl peptidase, only act when glucose levelsIn blood they are high, so they have low risk of producing hypoglycemia, one of the side effects of other therapeutic options.In addition, they have little risk of provoking additional weight in the patient
