Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar, insufficient production of insulin and resistance by your cells to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that transports sugar from your blood into your cells. High blood sugar increases your risk of other complications that include cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage and blindness. You can manage blood sugar by eating healthy foods. Consult your doctor about your health and diet.
Low Glycemic Diet
A low glycemic diet can help you manage blood sugar and reduce your risk of extreme insulin fluctuations. Your body absorbs sugars slowly from low glycemic foods; that results in less blood sugar fluctuations and less insulin release. Low glycemic foods include peanuts, barley, grapefruit, peaches, milk and beans. Research by scientists at the Second University of Naples, Italy, published in "Metabolic Syndrome Related Disorders" in 2010, found that diets low in glycemic index are associated with lower HbA1c and postmeal blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetic patients. HbA1c, also called glycolated hemoglobin, is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels during the past six to 12 weeks to determine how much insulin medication you may need.
Low-Fat Vegan Diet
The longer sugar stays in your blood, the more it damages your endothelial cells within your arteries, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease. Research by scientists at the University of Padova Medical School in Padova, Italy, published in "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice" in 2008, found that endothelial dysfunction may precede the development of diabetes mellitus and prolonged, repeated exposure to postmeal high blood sugar levels may affect the development of atherosclerosis, even in people who have normal fasting blood sugar levels. The research also indicated that diabetes increases oxidative stress and disrupts endothelial function, in part by fat cells that secrete proteins called adipokines. Consuming a low-fat vegan diet may reduce your total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol, more than a conventional low-fat diet that includes lean meat and dairy. It might also lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, according to research by scientists at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2009.
Low-Calorie Diet
Many Type 2 diabetics are obese. Eating fewer calories and exercising more may help you lose weight. Research by scientists at Torbay Hospital in Torquay, England, published in the "Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics" in 2002, found that a very low-calorie diet is safe and effective for diabetics to lose weight, but that they also regain weight. The research also found that a low-fat conventional diet and exercise can sustain weight loss for five years, but that patients also require anti-diabetic medication.
Whole Plant Foods Diet
Whole foods consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Eating whole foods and avoiding processed foods enhances the nutritional value of your diet. Plus, you avoid consuming unhealthy substances, such as sweeteners and saturated and trans fats, that could increase your risk of diabetic complications.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; Diabetes; 2010
- American Diabetes Association; Complications; 2010
- Harvard Medical School; Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load for 100+ Foods; 2010
- "Metabolic Syndrome Related Disorders"; Dietary Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Are Associated with Metabolic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: The Capri Experience; Katherine Esposito, et al.; June 2010
- "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice"; Endothelial Dysfunction: Causes and Consequences in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus; Angelo Avogaro; Dec. 15, 2008
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; A Low-Fat Vegan Diet and a Conventional Diabetes Diet in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Controlled, 74-Wk Clinical Trial; Neal Barnard, et al.; May 2009
