Although scientists and researchers around the world are working hard to cure diabetes, until that day arrives, the best we can do is manage the symptoms.
The good news is that many people with Type 2 diabetes have learned to stabilize their blood sugar — and, therefore, their diabetes symptoms — with diet alone. We call this diabetes reversal or remission, and our team at The Endocrine Center in Houston, Texas, can teach you how to do it.
While medications and insulin treatments may be vital for some diabetes patients, others can live symptom-free for years simply by watching what they eat. Our board-certified specialists monitor your diabetes carefully and help you manage your blood sugar by whatever means necessary, including nutritional counseling.
Here’s a look at the link between your diet and diabetes.
While your diet can help manage your diabetes symptoms, being overweight can derail your nutritional efforts. If you’re overweight or obese and have diabetes, the first thing to do is lose weight, and adjusting your diet can help.
Research shows that a very low-calorie diet may be what it takes to help you reach your goal and reverse your diabetes symptoms.
Two of these studies involved participants adhering to a predominantly liquid diet, consuming between 625 and 850 calories per day for a period of 2-5 months. They followed that with a less stringent diet aimed at maintaining their weight loss. Researchers discovered that nearly half of the participants reversed their diabetes and maintained their blood glucose levels close to normal for six months to a year.
Most of the participants who reversed their Type 2 diabetes lost over 30 pounds. They also had been living with diabetes for a shorter period than those with less successful results. That’s why starting a weight loss plan is critical as soon as possible after your diabetes diagnosis.
While the extreme dietary approach used in those studies can be dangerous, requiring professional guidance from experienced specialists like our physicians at The Endocrine Center, the potential to achieve remission may provide strong motivation to adhere to it.
Your dietary choices are crucial in managing insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. What you eat directly impacts your blood glucose levels, affecting how well your body's insulin works.
Carbohydrates have the most significant impact on your blood glucose levels. After consuming carbohydrates, your blood glucose rises, so it's important to control the type and quantity of carbs you eat. Complex carbs like whole grains, legumes, and non-starchy vegetables can help manage blood glucose levels better than the simple carbs in sugary foods and drinks.
High-protein diets help you lose weight, metabolize glucose, and increase your insulin sensitivity.
Dietary fiber impacts metabolic factors and insulin resistance, so increased dietary fiber intake could help you reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and even achieve diabetes remission.
Foods with a high glycemic index are associated with an increased incidence of Type 2 diabetes, so eating foods with a low glycemic index can be beneficial.
Dietary choices that support insulin sensitivity include non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. A plant-based diet or a diet rich in these nutrients can help manage insulin resistance.
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For more expert assistance on reversing Type 2 diabetes with diet, schedule an appointment at The Endocrine Center. We have three Houston offices to serve you. Call our friendly staff or request an appointment online.
