Japanese Acupuncture, LLC (480) 246-0624:
600 N. 4th Street, Unit 147, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Disclaimer:
I am not a certified dietitian. Everything I write on
my webpage and blogs is simply a suggestion. If you
require medical help, you need to consult with a
proper professional. If you are an alcoholic, a drug
abuser, a heavy smoker, have diabetes, hypertension,
or heart problems, or any other health issue, consult
your physicians first.
Point of view expressed in the diet section is
strictly based on Oriental Medicine and my Japanese
cultural background. If any question, please write to
me at japanacupuncture@yahoo.com.
Most Important: Life Style And Exercise
Overeating, lack of exercise, and obesity are the
three major risks for diabetes.
In the early stage of diabetes, there is no perception
of symptoms, but if the condition is untreated, blood
vessels will be damaged, and various syndromes would
manifest. An occasional blood sugar level test is
recommended even though you think you are healthy
(once a year).
The core of blood sugar level control is the
life-style improvement. It is important to record
your daily exercise, what you eat, the blood pressure,
and the weight.
If you have found that your blood sugar level is
slightly higher, the improvement in eating habit and
proper exercise is sufficient to reduce the risk of
diabetes. If not enough, then, you need to take
supplements. If the supplements are not enough, then,
you need to take insulin or get a treatment. However,
at any level of the illness, you must maintain the
proper eating habit and exercise.
How to Eat
Do not overeat. Calorie intake must be balanced.
Japanese have saying: "Stomach 80% full." Discipline
yourself not to overeat. Set a standard calorie
intake for a day, and eat three meals a day
regularly*. To avoid overeating, you must take time
chewing. Chew well, especially for vegetables. Eat
variety of foods, reduce oil usage in cooking, avoid
alcohol and juice (increases sugar level fast), and
stop smoking.
*Three meals a day at a regular interval is a must.
Calorie intake of a healthy person**: 2000 to 2400
kcal/day
Diabetic patient: male/1400-1800 kcal/day,
femal/1200-1600 kcal/day
**Calorie intake: suggestion
1) Increase vegetables with fibers, steam them,
decrease usage of oil
2) Buy what you need for a day. Do not overstock.
3) Reduce alcohol intake. Stop smoking.
Exercise
Always do the stretching before and after an exercise.
Walk for 45 min. If it is cold outside, cut down to
30 min. Add more walking time in your daily life by
not using a car, an elevator, a bicycle, etc. Aerobic
is recommended, but avoid excessive sweating in
winter. Any other light exercise is advised.
Diet
In Oriental Medicine, diabetes is very much a Spleen*
disease. Color yellow belongs to the Spleen, and
therefore, foods which are yellow in color are good.
For example, yellow pepper, yellow squash, papaya, soy
beans, etc. Modern research shows that Chinese bitter
melon has charantin which increases glucose uptake and
improves glucose tolerance. It is rich in vitamin A
and C. I also recommend brown rice or semi-brown rice
(hatsuga-mai).
*Spleen: it is capitalized since it has different
functions in Oriental Medicine than western medicine.
Fried Chinese Bitter Mellon:
Bitter melon: one Flour 3 large tablespoonful Egg:
½
Water: ½ large tablespoonful Red pepper: small
amount
Cut a bitter melon in half (head to the tip). Take
out seeds and the center (yellow-white part). Cut the
piece in half to make two pieces. Apply flour, and
fry in 180 C degree oil. Dip in sauce (soy sauce, one
large tablespoonful, sugar, ½ large tablespoonful,
sesame oil, ½ small tablespoonful, white sesame seeds,
one small tablespoonful, green onion, one large
tablespoonful), and eat.
Yellow Fruit Salad:
Papaya: one Grapefruit: one Dried Apricot: two or
three
Banana*: two
*Banana: Known for sugar content, but actual
metabolism of sugar conversion varies from person to
person.
Dressing: salad oil and lemon juice, each with two
large tablespoonfuls, honey and fennel (powdered),
lemon juice, and white wine, each with small amount.
Peel the skin and take out seeds of papaya, and cut
them to the size you like. Marinate them with lemon
juice in your hands and place them aside. Do the same
with bananas. Peel the skin and the protective sack
of grapefruit. Cut dried apricots to small pieces and
place them in white wine. Leave for a while.
When ready, place all fruits in a bowl and mix with
the dressing.
© 2008 Dr. Y. Frank Aoi/Japanese Acupuncture
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