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Assess alcohol
Assessing alcohol intake is important for all individuals with diabetes
but is especially important for those with hypertriglyceridaemia.
Excess alcohol contributes to obesity, hypertension, heart and liver
disease and some cancers. The same cautions regarding the use of
alcohol that apply to the general public apply to those with diabetes.
The message is to limit alcohol to: ‘four for men and women
two’. Lower calorie drinks such as dry wines and spirits are
the best choice. Individuals treated with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic
agents should be warned about the risk of hypoglycaemia with alcohol.
Alcohol is not metabolised to glucose and inhibits gluconeogenesis.
Consuming alcohol without food increases the risk of hypoglycaemia.
Table 6. Skipping salt
Hints to reduce salt intake:
• Avoid adding salt to dishes while cooking
• Avoid putting the salt shaker on the table
• Use dried or fresh herbs and spices to flavour food instead
of salt or salty sauces
• Choose ‘no added salt’, ‘low salt’
or ‘salt reduced’ products, eg. margarine or tinned
baked beans
• Steam, microwave or bake vegetables instead of boiling
to retain flavour |
Skip the salt
Skipping salt is particularly important to consider for patients
with hypertension or who are taking diuretic agents. The recommended
intake of sodium is 920–2300 mg/day (40–100 mmoL/day)
however, the average Australian consumes up to double this amount.
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Walk more
Get going
Getting started is usually the hardest part of exercise, especially
for people who do not exercise regularly. If someone is not regularly
exercising, suggest they start with short five minute walks each
day and build up gradually. Encourage patients to find an exercise
that they enjoy – if not walking, try gardening, dancing or
tennis. Regular exercise not only improves health, it can also improve
mood, confidence and wellbeing.
Pace the pavement
Most people walk when they want to increase activity. As a rough
guide energy expenditure (cals) = distance covered (km) x weight
(kg). For
example, an 85 kg man walking 5 km expends (5 x 85) = 425 cals,
the equivalent of 11 teaspoons of fat (53 g) or 21 teaspoons of
sugar (106g).
Some people find they can exercise at home when it is too dangerous,
unpleasant or uncomfortable to exercise outdoors. While using a
walking/jogging machine or stationery bike they can read a book,
watch television or listen to music. Many adults and children spend
over 10 hours per week watching television so there is plenty of
time to use an exercise machine.
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