P90X is a rigorous exercise program designed to build muscle, improve endurance and increase flexibility. The program includes a meal plan outlining the amount of proteins, carbohydrates and fats needed to fuel the intense workout. Exercise is important in the management of diabetes, but it has risks, as well. Exercise changes blood glucose levels. Further, the meal plan comprises 30 to 60 percent carbohydrates, significantly more than what is recommended by the American Diabetic Association.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which your body doesn't produce or utilize the hormone insulin to assist cells in accessing glucose. Without proper management, diabetes can cause blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and death. Diabetes specialists prescribe diet, exercise, and sometimes, insulin, to manage diabetes. While diet and exercise help diabetes, they also raise blood glucose levels.
P90X Meal Plan
The P90X program comes with a 90-day, three-phase eating plan. The initial phase of the diet is composed of 50 percent protein, 30 percent carbohydrate and 20 percent fat. Phase 2 decreases protein to 40 percent and fats to 20 percent, and increases carbs to 40 percent. The final phase increases carbs to 60 percent, lowers protein to 20 percent and maintains fats at 20 percent.
The plan's three nutrition levels dictate the number of calories you eat. Level one is 1,800 calories, level two 2,400 calories, and level three is 3,000 calories.
Carbohydrates
The P90X meal plan increases carbohydrates in each phase to provide energy for the rigorous workout. The body breaks down the carbohydrates into glucose to use as fuel. However, carbohydrates significantly raise blood glucose levels, which can be dangerous for diabetics.
The American Diabetic Association recommends 45 g to 60 g of carbohydrates a day. At 4 calories a gram, this would equal 180 to 240 calories from carbohydrates a day. Phase one of the P90X meal plan recommends 30 percent of your diet come from carbs. Thirty percent of a 1,800 calorie diet is 600 calories. This increases to 720 and 1,080 carb calories in phases 2 and 3. All of these amounts far exceed the recommended carbohydrate intake for a diabetic.
P90X Nutrition for Diabetes
People with diabetes must carefully balance diet and exercise to maintain blood glucose levels. Meet with your doctor for guidance on how to reap the benefits of exercise, and eat to fuel your exercise without compromising your health. Let your doctor know that your exercise includes both intense cardiovascular and strength training, both of which can affect glucose differently. It is possible that your doctor will approve an increase in carb intake for exercise if you monitor your glucose levels prior to and after you workout. The Australian Institute of Sport says, "Carbohydrate loading is dependent on insulin availability and therefore requires good diabetic control." It recommends keeping a journal to record the time of day of your workout, nature of the exercise, blood glucose levels, insulin type and dose, if applicable, your food record and energy level during the workout.
