If you have been looking for ways to improve your diabetic condition, you may find success following a vegetarian diet. The 2010 "Current Diabetes Reports" states that a vegetarian or vegan diet can prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. A vegetarian diet may aid in balancing your blood sugar levels and stimulate your insulin sensitivity. Check with a dietitian for a custom vegetarian diet to ensure you get the appropriate nutrients and caloric intake, especially if you already have diabetes.
Ovo-Vegetarian Diet
The ovo-vegetarian diet includes egg, but it excludes meat, poultry, fish and dairy. Because you can still eat eggs, this is a recommended way to start transitioning into a vegetarian diet from a meat diet. Eat eggs in moderation, because they are loaded with cholesterol. One egg is enough to almost reach your daily limit. The "Current Diabetes Reports" reports that eating too much animal fat and meat increases your risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. People have been using vegetarian diets as a means of losing weight for years, which goes hand-in-hand with mitigating type 2 diabetes. Follow this diet for a short while, and when you are ready, replace the eggs with plant-based proteins and start a low-cholesterol, vegan diet.
Vegan Diet
As a vegan, you can increase your intake of vegetables instead of eggs, which can decrease your risk from illness. If you have type 2 diabetes, obesity and diabetes usually go hand-in-hand. Even though vegan diets tend to be lower in calories and fat than a meat diet, it does not guarantee weight loss. You may choose to eat pasta and drink fat-rich coconut milk all day long as a vegan, which does not help with diabetes and may make you gain weight. According to the MayoClinic.com, you should monitor your calories and eat a varied amount of vegetables and proteins to maintain a healthy weight. Good proteins include steamed organic soybeans, tempeh, nuts and quinoa and other whole grains.
Raw Food Diet
A raw food diet offers a way to eat more and gain nutrition, yet lose weight. It excludes all meat, poultry, fish, dairy and eggs. It differs from a vegan diet, because it eliminates processed foods. On this diet, you cannot cook your food over 118 degrees F, so you are eating plenty of salads, smoothies, nuts, seeds and raw or dehydrated vegetables. However, avoid dehydrated fruits and fruit juices, because they contain concentrated sugars, which is difficult for a diabetic to process. To help regulate your blood sugar levels, the World'sHealthiestFoods.com recommends eating more kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, citrus, red bell pepper, blueberries, garlic, sprouted legumes and sprouted whole-grains.
