Diabetes is a known medical condition that occurs when the pancreas has either stopped producing insulin or the quantity of produced insulin is not enough. This might lead to multiple medical conditions which might directly affect the blood vessels and nerves. The best way to control diabetes is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and lose weight.
Losing weight is a difficult task for most especially for those who have diabetes. Diabetes can increase the risk for many complications. You can get it checked regularly with some good quality products on the market such as Contour Next One. The Contour company has been providing authentic products for 6 years and is dedicated to improving the health and lifestyle of diabetic people. They are widely known for their range of glucose-monitoring systems and adding more innovation into their products. With that said, let’s take a look at Diabetes-Friendly Diets: 5 of the Best to Lose Weight Fast!
1. The DASH plan
The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan was developed previously to cure patients with high blood pressure issues and prevent them from further issues by way of a healthy diet plan. This plan is now being used for diabetes patients as well as for those with other diseases. It can help with weight reduction and offers excellent benefits.
Those who follow this plan are motivated and expected to reduce the size of their food portions and consume foods that are rich in nutrients such as magnesium, calcium and potassium. These nutrients tend to reduce blood pressure and help in maintaining healthy blood levels.
The DASH plan includes healthy fats such as vegetable oils, and dairy products such as low-fat or fat-free lean protein such as fish and poultry, whole grains and plant-based foods; vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds. Diabetic patients are generally advised to reduce their sodium intake and limit it to 1500mg per day. Also, diabetics must avoid red meat, sweets and sugar in any form.
2. The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet has been developed from traditionally healthy Mediterranean cuisine. The best part about this diet is that it contains oleic acid richness. This is a fatty acid that is mostly found in vegetable oils and fats. Many countries such as Italy, Morocco and Greece with diabetic patients have followed this plan religiously and have noted rapid transformation.
Countries that are known for eating this diet include Greece, Italy, and Morocco. The Mediterranean diet is very helpful in reducing overall glucose levels, risk of metabolic disorders, as well as lowering body weight.
This diet permits diabetic patients to eat proteins such as those from eggs, fatty fish, salmon and poultry, healthy fats such as nuts, olive oils and plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables including artichokes, cucumbers, beans, nuts and seeds.
3. The Paleolithic Diet
Paleo diet followers focus on eating what people in prehistoric times used to hunt and eat as they believe that modern food growing techniques are the reason behind chronic disease.
The Paleo diet permits the consumption of protein such as fish, poultry, healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, walnut oil, and flaxseed oil and plant-based foods such as fruits, and nuts except for peanuts, seeds and non-starchy vegetables. This diet helps diabetic patients to improve their glycemic control in a very short time.
4. The Gluten-Free Diet
Gluten-free diets are very much on trend these days. People suffering from celiac disease need to eliminate gluten from their diets to prevent their colons and bodies from getting damaged. Celiac disease is a disorder of the autoimmune system whereby the nervous system and gut are affected by the immune system.
This causes inflammation in the body that can lead to chronic exacerbation of the disease. You must avoid all foods made from grains such as barley, rye and wheat as they contain the gluten protein. You should get your blood levels checked and then consult a doctor about your diet.
5. Vegetarian or Vegan Diet
For weight loss, some people tend to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Vegetarians do not eat meat but they consume dairy; milk, butter and eggs, whilst vegans do not eat meat or any animal products whatsoever, nor even their derivatives such as honey. For diabetics, the best food options are nuts, soy, legumes, whole grains, leafy vegetables, beans and fruits.
Along with diet, you should also do some weight loss-type exercises and have a decent nutritional plan. You also must make sure to take your medicine on time. However, you should not opt for starvation pills or weight loss pills as these can affect your health adversely. Have you tried any of the above diets, what results did you notice? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
