Diabetes and sport: how to manage your diet and training?

The diabetes is a chronic disease affecting nearly 4 million people in France. It is characterized by abnormal blood sugar levels. While physical exercise is highly beneficial for diabetics, it can also have negative effects if it is not adapted. So how do you reconcile physical activity How do you deal with your illness on a regular basis? What diet should I adopt? Here are some tips.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a pathology defined by too much sugar in the blood.

Thus, according to the French Federation of Diabeticsthe blood glucose (or glucose level) of a diabetic patient is greater than 1.26 g/l: this is known as hyperglycemia.

But there are really two types of diabetes.

90 % of people with diabetes are affected by so-called type 2 diabetes. In this case, diabetic patients do produce insulin, but it doesn't regulate blood sugar sufficiently.

More rare, the type 1 diabetes is said to be insulin-dependent. In other words, sufferers must rely on daily injections of insulin to compensate for the lack of activity of their pancreas. They usually wear an insulin pump, a device designed to monitor glucose levels and deliver small doses of insulin.

Diabetes and physical activity: are they compatible?

But does living with diabetes prevent you from achieving your sporting goals?

No, on the contrary. Diabetes and sport are perfectly compatible! Regular physical activity helps to control diabetes.

The benefits of sports practice for people with diabetes are numerous:

• better control of blood sugar levels, which can lead to a reduction in the dosage of medication
• weight loss, essential for increasing insulin sensitivity
• reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, which is higher in diabetic patients

Sport is also ideal for preventing diabetes.

In summary, regular physical activity helps control blood sugar, maintain weight and prevent complications related to the disease. However, it is important to choose an appropriate activity.

The strength trainingFitness and endurance sports (walking, running, cycling, swimming, etc.) are particularly recommended for diabetes management.

Diabetes and diet

Just like sports, a good diet is effective in treating diabetes.

To limit the effects, the diet must be carefully planned. It is imperative to calculate the caloric need and themacronutrient intake (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids).

Indeed, a balanced diet and good hydration help to relieve the metabolism. In the medium term, this reduces the risk of serious complications such as heart, kidney or eye problems.

Diabetologists recommend eating 3 meals and 1 snack daily and eating a variety of foods: meat, fish or eggs for protein, starchy foods, fruits and vegetables and dairy products.

It is also important to choose foods that will help controlglycemic index and avoid saturated fats.

Why use a sports coach if you have diabetes?

Do you suffer from diabetes and want to achieve an ambitious sports goal?

Whether you're looking to build muscle mass or lose weight, the personalized support of a sports coach will get you there.

Coaching sessions will help you define your training program and eating plan.

As a professional sports coach for many years, I've already coached several students suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes to help them improve their health and transform their physique.

You'll benefit from invaluable advice, a training program adapted to your situation and a complete dietary follow-up so that your diet never again jeopardizes your state of health.