Diabetes-Friendly Smoothies To Make Your Life Easier

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time [1].

It is a disease that prevents your body from properly using the energy from the food you eat. Your body is made up of trillions of cells. To produce energy, cells need food in a very simple form.

For example, when you eat or drink, much of your food is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose provides the energy your body needs for daily activities. Blood vessels and blood are the type of highways that transport sugar. Sugar cannot enter cells on its own.

Why not?

The pancreas naturally produces insulin once it detects that you are eating. Insulin is immediately released into the blood, where it acts as the "key" that opens the door for sugar to enter the cells, where it would be used for energy. When sugar leaves the bloodstream and enters the cells, the blood sugar level drops.

Without insulin (this precious "key"), sugar cannot enter the body's cells to be used for energy, causing blood sugar levels to rise.

So, simply put, diabetes mellitus is a disease that occurs when the blood sugar level is too high due to problems with the hormone "insulin" [2].

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) classified diabetes into two broad categories, namely; type 1, type 2, and other types [1].

Type 1 Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, so sugar cannot enter the body's cells to be used for energy. People with type 1 diabetes must use insulin injections to control their blood glucose. About 5-10% of people with diabetes are diagnosed with type 1.

Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but it either doesn't make enough or the body becomes insulin resistant, meaning tissues like muscle and liver don't respond well to insulin and therefore can't use glucose from the blood for energy. Nine out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2, and it's often accompanied by other conditions, such as high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be controlled with a combination of diet, weight control, and exercise. However, treatment may also include glucose-lowering medications or insulin injections [2].

Prediabetes

Prediabetes means that you have a higher than normal blood sugar level. It is not yet high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes, but without lifestyle changes, prediabetics are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Eating healthy foods, making physical activity part of your daily routine, and maintaining a healthy weight can help bring blood sugar levels back to normal [3] [4].

What is a diabetes diet?

If you have diabetes or prediabetes, your doctor will likely recommend that you see a dietitian to help you develop or maintain a healthy eating plan. This will help you manage your blood sugar (glucose).

Typically, a diabetes diet is a meal plan that is naturally high in nutrients and fiber, and low in fat and calories. In fact, a diabetes diet is a great eating plan for almost everyone, as the key elements are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The diet is based on eating three meals a day at regular times. This helps better utilize the insulin your body produces or receives through medications.

There are different approaches to creating a diabetes meal plan. The ADA recommends an individualized nutritional approach that promotes nutrient-dense foods through controlled portion sizes. For this, the ADA came up with the 'plate method,' which is a simple method of meal planning. In essence, it focuses on eating more vegetables. According to the ADA, you can follow these steps when preparing your plate:

“Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, such as spinach, carrots and tomatoes.
Fill a quarter of your plate with a protein, such as tuna, lean pork or chicken.
Fill the last quarter with a whole grain item, such as brown rice, or a starchy vegetable, such as green peas.
Include "good" fats like nuts or avocados in small amounts.
Add a serving of fruit or dairy and a drink of water or unsweetened tea or coffee."

Other ways to help keep your blood glucose within a normal range include counting carbohydrates or ranking carbohydrate-containing foods based on their effect on blood glucose levels (also known as the glycemic index). The lower the glycemic index of foods, the lower their impact on blood glucose and tendency to cause insulin spikes. There is also the possibility that a dietitian recommends you choose specific foods to help you plan your meals and snacks. In this case, you can choose foods from a list that includes categories such as carbohydrates, protein, and fat. The ADA also recommends moderation or elimination of alcohol consumption, and limiting salt intake to <5.75 g/day [6].

Carbohydrates

The diet always includes fiber-rich complex carbohydrates that can be found in whole wheat, oats, and beans. Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and are a more stable source of energy than simple carbohydrates. Because carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, they have the greatest impact on blood glucose levels. To help control blood sugar, it is recommended to calculate the amount of carbohydrates you are eating so that you can adjust your insulin dosage accordingly. Fiber (a carbohydrate) plays an important role in controlling blood sugar levels. Foods rich in fiber include vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and whole grains [5] [7].

Fatty acids

Foods containing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, can help lower cholesterol levels. Avocados, nuts, and olive oil are good sources of these fatty acids [6] [7]. For more information on monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, check out our blog: Introduction to Macronutrients.

Protein

Some research has found successful management of type 2 diabetes with meal plans that include slightly higher levels of protein (20-30%), which may contribute to a greater overall health. However, different studies have found that plant-based diets should be a supplement of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and a meal, not the entire meal. Multiple studies have found that a plant-based diet can control blood sugar levels to a greater extent than a traditional diabetes diet that limits calories and carbohydrates. nuts, legumes, and seeds [7] [9] [10].

Diabetes and weight loss

Research has shown that weight loss is the primary medical goal for diabetic patients with type 2 diabetes.

By reducing weight, especially in the abdominal area, insulin sensitivity will improve along with blood glucose control and therefore you will reduce the risk of complications.

Meal replacements like the Jimmy Joy Plenny Shake may involve replacing one or two meals a day with a meal replacement drink. According to Dr. Steven B. Heymsfield [8], these meal replacements have been shown to lead to greater weight loss compared to a low-calorie diet.

Read more practical tips in our Complete Guide to Fat Loss.

What is the best meal replacement shake for diabetics?

The combination of complex carbohydrates such as dietary fibre inulin, proteins and fatty acids creates an optimally balanced meal replacement. This can be easily incorporated into a healthy and varied diet rich in unprocessed products.

Hooray! All Jimmy Joy products include slow-release (complex) carbohydrates which include starches and fibers that can be found in ingredients such as oats, flax seeds, inulin, and soy. These complex carbohydrates help control blood sugar levels thanks to their fiber content.

In addition, Plenny Shake, Plenny Drink, Plenny Bar and Twenny Bar shakes are a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids that help reduce cholesterol levels.

Pro tip: If you're looking for a 100% sugar-free product, Plenny Shake Neutral is our unflavored and sugar-free option.

Jimmy Joy is helpful for diabetes because one bar, shake or drink equals one optimally formulated nutritious meal. This means you don't have to think about what foods you need to eat during the day.

Here is the nutritional information for one Plenny Shake Active meal (100g) that will keep you full for hours:

• 424 calories (remember, it's a meal shake)
• 29 g of protein
• 37 g total carbohydrates, of which 4.0 g are sugar
• 16 g fat, of which 2.4 g saturated fat
• 8.3 g of fiber

Eliminates the need for portion control and calorie counting as the nutrients in Jimmy Joy are pre-measured and declared on the packaging. Another benefit: Jimmy Joy requires (almost) no preparation or cleanup!

Note: Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about diabetes or notice any signs or symptoms of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Ask your doctor about blood sugar screening if you have any risk factors for diabetes.

Reviews Jimmy Joy and Diabetes

Sources

[1] AT Kharroubi, HM Darwish. Diabetes mellitus: The epidemic of the century.
[2] Cleveland Clinic. Diabetes Mellitus: An Overview.
[3] Edwards CM, et al. Prediabetes A worldwide epidemic. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America.
[4] Insulin resistance and prediabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
[5] Dr. E. Zacharias. Complex Carbohydrates and Dietary Fiber.
[6] M. Regina Castro, MD Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan.
[7] A. Gray, et al. Nutritional Recommendations for Individuals with Diabetes.
[8] S. B. Heymsfield. Meal replacements and energy balance.
[9] Yokoyama, Y., Barnard, N.D., Levin, S.M., & Watanabe, M. (2014). Vegetarian diets and glycemic control in diabetes: a systmatic review and meta-analysis. Cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy, 4(5), 373–382. [10] Toumpanakis A, Turnbull T, Alba-Barba IEffectiveness of plant-based diets in promoting well-being in the management of type 2 diabetes: a systematic reviewBMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care 2018;6:e000534. doi:10.1136/bmjdrc-2018-000534