Prof. Olufemi Fasanmade, a Consultant Endocrinologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos,
asserts that most traditional foods are considered healthy for diabetes management, hence healthy for people with the condition.
The consultant spoke on Thursday during a virtual media roundtable organised by Novo Nordisk, a multinational pharmaceutical company, to commemorate 2024
World Diabetes Day.
Fasanmade, a Professor of Medicine at College of Medicine, University of Lagos, also dispelled certain myths around diabetes diet such as “eating garri is not
suitable for people with diabetes”.
He said “most traditional foods are healthy for persons with diabetes, like vegetable soup and beans.
“All our traditional foods are actually protective, but some groups and people are trying to tell patients that they should not take garri.
“Our garri is even better than wheat.
“The only thing that may be wrong is that the person with diabetes must not take the usual size. You can take garri, eba, but it must be the size of your fist.
“Even bread, persons with diabetes can eat it, but the best type of bread is the whole wheat bread, unsweetened whole wheat bread, taken in moderate quantity.”
He added that persons with diabetes can also take snacks and cereals. They can take granola. They can take some nuts, walnuts, cashew, almond nuts.
“ They can take some fruits, watermelon, Pawpaw, carrots, garden eggs, all of these are good enough things for the person that has diabetes to snack on.’’
However, the endocrinologist recommended consultation with a registered nutritionist or dietician for personalised dietary advice, including calorie intake.
Fasanmade also emphasised the importance of avoiding refined carbohydrates, sugar, soft drinks, smoking and alcohol for individuals with diabetes as part of healthy diet plan.
He further explained that “the first thing to do is to avoid every form of refined carbohydrate, and by refined carbohydrate, I mean avoid every soft drink.
“Avoid sugars, whether white sugar or brown sugar. Avoid sugar cane, avoid fructose and anything that contains plenty sugar. That’s the first step.
“Other things to avoid are smoking and alcohol, and most importantly, note that the best way to get a diet plan is by seeing a registered nutritionist or a dietician to get personalised diet plan.”
He also emphasised the importance of regular blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring, as well as exercise.
According to him, the quality of life depends on balanced lifestyle, diet, exercise and medication adherence.
He alerted that substandard medications posed risks, leading to severe health complications, and advised the purchase of NAFDAC-approved drugs, proper storage
and reporting any issues.
Fasanmade urged citizens to know their numbers and take their medications, adding that “to the people, I will say, know your numbers.
“First of all, do you have diabetes? Check how well controlled you are?.
“Thirdly, if the medications are too expensive for you to afford, discuss with your healthcare professional so that they can devise a means to tailor your medication according to your pocket.
“This is more ideal than skipping medication,” Fasanmade said.
