Diabetes & Covid: Here’s diet plan for diabetic patients during pandemic

Bhubaneswar, May 9: People with high blood pressure and diabetes are at a higher risk of getting infected from Covid-19 and are more likely to suffer from severe symptoms. For diabetic people, the blood sugar levels are higher than normal. People with co-morbidities who contract the virus have a higher probability of death. Thus it is important to know what diabetic patients should consume to stay healthy. Dietitian and diabetic educator Niharika Dash has shared a diet plan for diabetic patients during the pandemic. wp:heading {"textColor":"vivid-red"}  Here’s the diet plan for diabetic patients: /wp:heading Diabetic patients should particularly avoid high-calorie foods and foods with a high glycemic index since these foods increase the sugar levels in the bloodstream, e.g., rice, pasta, sweets, potatoes, fruits such as watermelons and pineapples. Instead, food such as oats, bajra, ragi, green leafy vegetables are more advisable. It is also advisable to take 6 meals in a day, rather than 3, eating at short intervals of 2-3 hours. Fruits such as apples, oranges, sweet limes, guavas and pears can be consumed in limited amounts, preferably about 100 grams. It is also important to avoid foods such as sweet products, salted items, packaged and processed foods. It is a no-brainer that diabetic patients should avoid smoking, drinking, fasting and feasting under any circumstances. The morning should begin with a glass of water with a spoonful of ‘methi’ powder. Alongside this, good exercise, hydration and avoidance of stress is extremely important. This will help you not only fight diabetes, but will also help you beat the coronavirus.