Lose Weight as Diabetic

We hear all kinds of conflicting advice when it comes to how or even if we should lose weight as a diabetic.

My daughter had heard that Type 1 Diabetics tend to gain weight from the life-saving insulin they need to inject several times a day.

There is also the common knowledge that being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

It is also widely known that being overweight significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, and diabetes just further increases that risk.

Needless to say, I am with my daughter in these concerns for her son which puts me constantly on the hunt for the safest most effective diet plan for a diabetic.

While at five years old Alex is not overweight, we want to keep him healthy and hopefully prevent any weight gain as he gets older to lower his risk of heart disease and stroke or any other diabetes complications for that matter.

My mother was a Type 2 Diabetic and struggled with obesity her whole life. She never did drop those extra pounds and I wonder if any of these diets may have helped her.

The DASH Plan

Originally the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH plan) was developed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure.

It may also reduce the risk of developing other diseases including diabetes and may even aid in weight loss.

When following the DASH plan you should reduce portion sizes and be sure to include foods rich in blood pressure-lowering nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Including the following foods will ensure the necessary nutrients:

• lean protein (fish, poultry)
• plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds)
• dairy (fat-free or low-fat dairy products
• whole grains
• healthy fats

Reduce sodium, sugary drinks, sweets, and red meats while on this plan as well.

The Keto Diet

The Ketogenic (Keto)Diet plan severely restricts carbohydrate intake. It essentially is forcing the body to burn fat for fuel rather than the normal sugar extracted from the carbs eaten.

Typically the food eaten would include:

• low-carb vegetables
• eggs
• meats
• healthy fats
• fish
• berries

Some people have found the Keto diet helps manage both type 1 and type 2 diabetes because of the low-carb nature of this diet.
Because insulin dosage is usually calculated by carb intake this diet may require a dosage change and for this reason, any diabetic considering the Keto diet should work closely with their doctor.

The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is derived from the traditional foods from the Mediterranean countries including Greece, Italy, and Morocco.

This diet is rich in fatty acid (oleic acid) which is found naturally in animal and vegetable-based fats and oils.

When following the Mediterranean diet include:

• protein ( poultry, salmon and other fatty fish, eggs)
• fruits, vegetables like artichokes and cucumbers, beans, nuts, and seeds
• healthy fats (olive oil, nuts such as almonds)
• red meat limited to once a month
• wine in moderation

According to a Diabetes Spectrum study, a Mediterranean diet may be successful in lowering fasting glucose levels, reducing body weight, and also reducing the risk of metabolic disorder.

The Paleo Diet

Those who follow the Paleo diet eat only those foods that would have been accessible to our ancient ancestors, the food they could hunt or gather. These people firmly believe that modern agriculture is causing chronic disease.

This diet includes:

• protein (meat, poultry, fish)
• non-starchy vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts (no peanuts)
• healthy fats (olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil)

As long as the person does not have any form of kidney disease the paleo diet may be a good option for diabetics.

A three-month study in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology states that a Paleo diet may help improve glycemic control in the short term for Type 2 Diabetics.

The Gluten-Free Diet

It seems Gluten-free diets have recently become trendy but for a person with Celiac disease, they must eliminate gluten to prevent serious damage to their colon and body.

Celiac is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack your gut and nervous system. It also promotes inflammation throughout the body, possibly leading to chronic disease.

Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and all types of food made from these grains. The American Diabetes Association states that 10% of those with Type 1 Diabetes also have Celiac disease

Be sure to ask your doctor to test for Celiac. Even with a negative test the possibility of being intolerant to gluten still exists so you could discuss whether the gluten-free diet is for you.

Remember that gluten-free does not mean low carb so if you don’t have to go gluten-free why complicate meal planning with further restrictions.

Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

Some diabetics successfully focus on vegetarian or vegan diets.

While these diets are similar, there is a subtle but key difference.

Vegetarians eat no meat but they will consume other animal products like milk, eggs, or butter.

Vegans will not eat meat or any animal product including honey, milk, or gelatin.

Foods both of these diets eat include:

• beans
• soy
• dark, leafy vegetables
• nuts
• legumes
• fruits
• whole grains

While these diets can be quite healthy you may miss out on a few key nutrients so a supplement may be necessary for calcium, iodine, B-12, and zinc. Discuss with your doctor which supplements would be best suited to your individual needs.

Exercise

Regular exercise is an important part of any weight loss program and is also an integral part of diabetes management.

For the best results with weight loss include both aerobic exercise and strength training.

Aerobic exercise has a ton of benefits for diabetics such as:

• helps your body use insulin better
• relieves stress
• improves blood circulation
• lowers risk for heart disease
• lowers blood glucose levels
• lowers blood pressure
• improves cholesterol levels

Types of aerobic exercise would include biking, walking, jogging/running, swimming, dancing, and organized sports.

Strength Training is often overlooked when trying to lose weight yet this is what will help keep your hard-earned muscle mass while restricting those calories your eating.

Developing muscle requires energy and if the body isn’t getting that energy from food then it will burn the excess fat stores which are our goal.

We require muscle to do everything in the day. Without muscle, we would be unable to stand or walk let alone do anything else.

Regular strength training will build healthy muscle and aid in fat loss by keeping that metabolism burning at its peak.

Final Thoughts

Diabetics need to work closely with their health care team when choosing a diet plan and exercise regime.

Each of the diets listed is similar in that healthy fruits and vegetables are the main ingredients for many delicious healthy meals full of nutrients used to maintain our optimal health.

A healthy diet and regular exercise work in unison to not only lose weight but also to maintain that weight loss after it has been achieved.

I strongly recommend working closely with your doctor if you choose a diet because depending on your body you may require dosage changes with your insulin or other medications.

“I am not in any way a medical practitioner, please do not rely on the information on our website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or another healthcare provider. We only share our experiences.”

Thanks for stopping by, if you have any other diet plans that have worked well for you I would love to hear about them in the comment section below. I will respond.