Diabetic Type 2 Weight Loss Diet

Struggling with type 2 diabetes is difficult. No matter what path you use to regulate this disease, you will have to endure some major lifestyle changes. Fortunately, though, there is help for individuals who do not care to rely on medication to determine their well-being. Dietary strategies for coping with type 2 diabetes are many, but one of the most effective seems to be adherence to a permanent low carbohydrate style of eating.

About Low Carb Eating and Diabetes

Recent studies have demonstrated the superiority of low carb dieting for controlling the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. In one 22-month Swedish study reported in Nutrition and Metabolism, participants following a low carb approach (20 percent of total calories from carbs) saw marked improvements--all patients taking the drug sulphonylureas either discontinued or reduced their dosage, while all patients on insulin discontinued or reduced their dosage by the sixth month. In another study at Duke University, 95 percent of diabetics following a ketogenic low carb diet (less than 20g of carbs per day) were able to reduce or halt their diabetic medications. Thus, the short-term ability of low carb diets to control type two diabetes is well established.

Low-Carb Plans

If you are considering using a low carb diet to curb your diabetes, start gradually and see if you can garner results without having to resort to an ultralow carb plan. Thus, begin with the Swedish approach, limiting your carb intake to 20 percent of your total calories, spread evenly throughout the day. If that fails to positively affect your weight or your need for diabetic medication, then move to a ketogenic approach like Atkins.

No matter which strategy you follow, your results will largely depend on the quality of your diet. Thus, where you are permitted to consume carbohydrates, stick to low carb veggies like broccoli, spinach, lettuce, and cucumber. These items also contain significant amounts of fiber, which can help keep you regular throughout the diet, in addition to helping you feel full for longer. Limit your consumption of fruits, and wholly eliminate your consumption of whole grains and dairy--these items tend to affect your blood sugar levels to a greater extent than other foodstuffs. Aside from that, make sure you consume lean protein with every meal, and eat at least 30 percent of your calories from a healthy blend of fats--animal fats, avocados, coconuts, olive oil, and fish oil. Although following this style of eating is difficult, rewards will manifest in reduced reliance on pharmaceuticals, decreased weight, and increased quality of life.