The basic concept addressed in the article, “Eating to Manage Diabetes: The Basic Concept of Carbohydrate Counting and Exchanges” is the issues pertaining to carbohydrates and diabetes. In the article, two possible remedies, referred to as the exchange system and the carbohydrate counting are depicted as efficient systems or methods in the management of diabetes over the years. In light with this, every prospect of carbohydrate is highlighted in the article, and the proficient ways of consuming it is delineated.
Over the years, many people all over the globe have been succumbing to the disease; hence getting an access to such a piece of literature, may be quite a relief to people suffering from the disease, and the public in general. With no doubt, the article is fascinating, since it provides the relevant knowledge on the possible measures to curb diabetes. According to Eating Well, two methods of managing diabetes- the exchange system and Carbohydrate counting-are portrayed as main methods that can be applied decently in the treating of diabetes. The exchange system method has been in use for over five decades, and it encompasses the grouping of food, with roughly equivalent amounts of carbohydrate, protein, fat and calories into various exchange groups (Eating Well). On the other hand, Carbohydrate counting involves taking into account the count of carbohydrate taken in each meal (Eating Well). Moreover, the methods are depicted as simple, with no preference given to any food, hence making the article appealing to all persons from every walk of life.
In light with this, any reader who has an access to the article may likely follow the plethora of advice highlighted in the article. This can be ascribed to the natural ways provided in the article, which includes counting of carbohydrate grams and a perfect plan of the exchange system (Eating Well). However, the reader may not understand the guidelines to the later, attributed to the fact that the article does not provide comprehensive and detailed guidelines on all aspects of managing diabetes from the initial diagnosis to the treatment strategy. Nevertheless, the information provided in the article is remarkably authentic, since two vital methods that can be used in managing diabetes are discussed, and they provide accessible and natural ways of treating diabetes.
In light with this, Kawamura in his article also affirms carbohydrate counting as a good method in the management of diabetes (57). Further, carbohydrate (Carb) counting is depicted as a meal planning approach procedure, most importantly for patients with diabetes mellitus (Kawamura 57). Also, carb counting is evinced as a tool that can be used in the estimation of carbohydrate intake for the purpose of the adjustment of insulin in meals, using insulin to carbohydrate ratio (Kawamura 57).
Evidently, the article is a scholarly article ascribed to the presence of volume and issue numbers, which appear in every page of the article. Similarly, there is an experimental research indicated in the article, and also chart models are used to accent or aid in expressing the desired information. Moreover, the article is structured in a sequential manner, entailing; an abstract, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion and references. In tandem to this, the information given in the article is authentic or valid, since; carbohydrate counting is depicted as one of the core tools that can be used to endow children and adolescents with the ability to manage diabetes in effect to their lifestyle (Kawamura 59). In conjunction to this, Kawamura also focuses on diabetic children, who are largely neglected (57).
Conventionally, Kawamura’s article is in agreement with the article in the Eating Well magazine. Kawamura affirms that it is not mandatory to eliminate carbohydrate in a meal, but its proper management through carb counting, can amount to the provision of sufficient and appropriate energy intake, an efficient control of body weight, and encourage healthy life long eating habits (58). This is analogous to information provided in the article “Eating to Manage: The Basic Concept of Carbohydrate Counting and Exchanges,” which stresses that elimination of carbohydrate in a diet, can be hugely detrimental due lack of sugar balance in the body cells (Eating Well). Also, Kawamura attests that in order to understand carbohydrate counting method, one should have the relevant education or knowledge on carb counting (60). Kawamura still explains that carbohydrate counting is classified into three levels; basic, intermediate and advanced, which aid in efficient counting of carbohydrate in every meal (60). Similarly, this is also clearly depicted in the article in the magazine, which indicates dieticians and educators as key persons in the provision of knowledge on the methods (Eating Well).
Besides, Coulibaly, O’Brien and Galibois also developed an article, based on an African country-Mali-, which tries to explain the implementation of food exchange system in management of diabetes type 2, using local food and dishes. The list of the exchange system generated in the research borrows relevant ideas from North American exchange list, and it offers brilliant guidelines in building an effective exchange system in Mali (Coulibaly, O’Brien, and Galibois 32). In addition, the article dwells a lot on the local food, pinning down its argument on the economic burden and the difficulties experienced in managing diabetes (Coulibaly, O’Brien, and Galibois 31).
Patently, the article is a scholarly article attributed to the presence of volume and issue numbers, which appear in every page of the article. Similarly, there is an experimental research pointed out in the article, and also tables are used to emphasis or aid in expressing the intended information. Further, the authors are specialized in the field, and the article is structured in an organized manner, consisting of; an abstract, literature review, methods, results, conclusion and bibliography. In tandem to this, the information given in the article is reliable, since different foods are taken into consideration, and their substitution in different diets are well elaborated to ensure proper management of diabetes disease (Coulibaly, O’Brien, and Galibois 34).
It is also evident that the information given in this article supports or concurs with the information given in the article from Eating Well magazine. Coulibaly, O’Brien and Galibois assert that the core facet of a food exchange system for meal planning is that, within every food group, every exchange should be almost equivalent in relation to; fats, proteins, calories and carbohydrates (34). The concept is also well articulated in the assigned article, in which, roughly equal amounts of fats, proteins, calories and carbohydrates are grouped together into exchange groups (Eating Well). Also, the dietician play key roles in determining the best and effective food change in the management of diabetes, since the method involves a series of measurement, which can be difficult for an individual to implement (Coulibaly, O’Brien, and Galibois 34). This clearly supports the idea that Exchange System method is quite difficult and it may require the aid of dietician for proper implementation (Eating Well).
Work Cited
Coulibaly, A., O’Brien, H. T., and Galibois, I. “Development of a Malian Food Exchange System Based On Local Foods and Dishes for the Assessment of Nutrient and Food Intake in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects.” South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition 22. 1 (2009): 31-35. Print.
Eating Well Editors. “Eating to Manage Diabetes: The Basic Concept of Carbohydrate Counting and Exchanges.” Eating Well May/June 2012: Print.
Kawamura, Tomoyuki. “The Importance of Carbohydrate Counting In the Treatment of Children with Diabetes.” Pediatric Diabetes 8. 6 (2007): 57-62. Print.
