Q: I am 50 year old 5 ft 6 in, 98 Kgs, on a sedentary lifestyle, been categorised type 2 diabetic, high BP case, with Hyperthyroidism, no heart problem or cholestrol problems. Under treatment in Hinduja Hospital Mumbai ,under an eminent endocrinologist. I have been recommended a 1400 calorie diabetic diet. Can you recommend me some? I am a vegetarian but do take eggs. Also any other diets or foods which may help in this condition?

A:Diet plays an important role in the treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes. The diet may be used alone or in combination with drugs for such as insulin injections or oral hypoglycaemic drugs. The diet plan of an individual is based on height, weight, age, sex, physical activity and nature of the disease conditions.

More of carbohydrate must be given as complex starches rather than simple sugars as they breakdown more slowly to release glucose in blood. The presence of fibre in complex carbohydrate like grains,vegetables and other starches slows the glucose absorption and is also important for the management of high blood pressure. One should emphasise more on the high fibre foods instead of high fibre supplements available in the market. As per the information provided by you, salt restricted and calorie restricted diet will be the appropriate one for you. Salt restriction is in any case required to control high blood pressure.

Follow the diet plan given below:

Early Morning :Tea
Breakfast :Dalia porridge/ milk/ tea/ coffee/ Besan chila/ vegetable pan cake/ stuffed chapatti/sprouts chat/ Apple/ papaya/ pear/ water melon
Lunch :2 chapatti, Whole moong dal/ any dal preferably whole dal, Ghia subzi/Dry karela, Curd/ vegetable raita
Evening tea :Tea/ coffee, Marie biscuits
Dinner :Tomato or vegetable soup, 1 chapatti, Paneer and vegetable subzi, Salad, Fruit custard

To remember
- Diet is more or less normal.
- Salt needs to be restricted.
- Food should be made in a way that it is palatable even with lesser amount of salt or even without salt.
- Variety of condiments (low in sodium) and flavouring agents such as lemon, vinegar, tamarind extract, onion, garlic, spices, etc. can be used to improve the palatability of salt free food.
- Some foods rich in potassium but low in sodium are potatoes, banana, apricots and legumes, which can be included in the diet.
- Restrict fried and fatty foods.
- Restrict alcohol intake.
- Work out an exercise schedule depending on your daily routine. Begin with 20-30 minutes brisk walk and gradually increase the intensity and the duration.