Is the Jenny Craig Diet a Good Diet for Diabetics?

Is the Jenny Craig Diet a Good Diet for Diabetics?
Photo Credit Diabetic Tools image by painless from Fotolia.com

Losing weight is one strategy diabetics can use to help improve blood sugar control and prevent future diabetic complications. The Jenny Craig weight loss program is a popular and effective system that may be appropriate for people with diabetes, depending on the type and severity of the diabetes. The program requires a doctor's approval for individuals with diabetes, which ensures that your participation is monitored by a health professional.

Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when a person's body does not produce insulin, produces too little insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Without a proper insulin response, blood glucose levels can spiral out of control, leading to long-term health problems. The majority of diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes, which develops over time and can often be controlled through a combination of medication, diet and exercise. Type 1 diabetics require insulin shots to control their diabetes, but diet may be able to help them reduce the amount of insulin they require.

Personalized Plan

The Jenny Craig weight loss program customizes your diet plan to your specific circumstances, so diabetes can be taken into account when planning meals. In addition, Jenny Craig has a specific program tailored to type 2 diabetics called Jenny Craig Type 2. Like all of the Jenny Craig plans, Jenny Craig Type 2 provides portion-controlled pre-packaged meals and weekly consultations with a diet advisor who instructs you on nutrition and exercise and eventually teaches you how to shift from the provided meals to creating your own healthy meals.

Type 2 Nutrition

The meals and snacks on the Jenny Craig Type 2 program include small, frequent meals and snacks that are nutritionally balanced to help keep blood sugar levels steady. Meals provided by Jenny Craig meet the nutritional standards of the American Diabetes Association. The specific caloric intake is tailored to the individual and never drops below 1,200 calories per day.

Weight Loss and Diabetes

Losing weight can help prevent and control diabetes. Weight reduction provides better blood sugar control and a reduced risk of diabetic complications like kidney problems. In addition, weight loss also boosts overall health and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. The Jenny Craig Type 2 plan can be an effective way for diabetic individuals to achieve weight loss. If you lose weight and achieve better blood glucose control, you may be able to reduce the amount of medication you take for diabetes or related conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

References

Article reviewed by Billie Jo Jannen Last updated on: Feb 20, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments