In his hit book: ‘In Defense of Food’, Michael Pollen was able to sum up the collective nutrition knowledge of the world in a single succinct phrase: ‘Eat food… not too much… mostly plants’. Unfortunately, gudu many diabetics have ignored the final third of this simple piece of advice because plant foods tend to be heavy in carbs.
However, avoiding plant foods because they contain carbs is a tad shortsighted. Sure, plant foods like fruits and vegetables are made up primarily of carbs, but that doesn’t mean they can be saddled together with other carb-rich foods like Wonder Bread and Blueberry muffins (also plant-based, hobbijaim but nutritionally from different planets).
Many Atkins disciples have abstained from high and even moderately carb-rich plant foods like sweet potatoes, berries, and bananas based solely on carb content. Instead, they’ve replaced these nutritious, and diabetes-fighting foods with fatty red meat, butter, and lard. By and large, receptek this trade hasn’t paid off particularly well… many diabetics who shifted from a plant-based diet to an animal-based diet found themselves with higher blood sugars than before.
Clinical research backs this up. One of the most striking and consistent findings from one of the largest research studies of all time, commonly known as The China Study, was that a plant-based diet is effective at warding off Type 2 diabetes. A research review published in Diabetes Educator concluded that ‘…a plant-based diet reduces body weight and improves glycemic control, and has been shown to be remarkably well accepted by patients’.
On the other hand, studies show that diets rich in animal products, especially of the processed variety, olcsobbszerviz amp up inflammation and insulin resistance. A study conducted with nearly 35,000 women found that animal fat intake upped diabetes risk by 20%.
Here’s how to get the most out a plant-based diet:
1. Eat From The Source: Every step that a plant goes through in its processing is one more step away from health for you. While low-fat Wheat Thins may technically be a ‘plant food’, it’s processing makes it a big no-no. When evaluating a plant food, be sure to focus on how close it remains to the original source. The closer, the better.
2. Veg It Up: While many plant foods are healthy, vegetables are far and away the king. Vegetables are rich in fiber and antioxidants… two nutrients shown to help improve blood sugar control.
3. Befriend Beans: Beans are one of the legitimate ‘super foods’ for diabetes. Not only do they put a lid on high blood sugar levels, but beans also keep ravenous appetites at bay. Recently, a review in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that legumes should have a place on every diabetic’s dinner plate.
4. Eat Fat: It can be tempting to overdo it on grains, produce, and legumes, on a plant-based diet. However, fat is an essential part of a healthy diabetic diet… and one of the most critical factors for improving blood sugar control.
5. Watch the Glycemic Index: In general, plant foods equals carb-based. However, that doesn’t mean the amount of carbs are the only thing that matters. The glycemic index, or the overall impact a carb has on blood sugar levels is paramount. Luckily, you’ll find that foods that are less processed boast the lowest GI… making your job a tad bit easier.
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When you click this link you will see how you can Beat The Belly Fat Blues Beverleigh Piepers RN… the Diabetes Detective.