From the Guidelines
The best diet for diabetics is a personalized eating pattern that emphasizes nonstarchy vegetables, whole fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy products, while minimizing consumption of red meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets, refined grains, and processed and ultraprocessed foods, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. When it comes to managing diabetes through diet, the key is to focus on overall healthful eating patterns rather than specific nutrients or foods.
- A variety of eating patterns are acceptable for diabetes management, including Mediterranean, DASH, low-fat, carbohydrate-restricted, vegetarian, and vegan eating patterns 1.
- The core dimensions of a healthful eating pattern include emphasizing nonstarchy vegetables, whole fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy products, and minimizing consumption of red meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets, refined grains, and processed and ultraprocessed foods 1.
- Referral to a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is essential to create a personalized meal plan that coordinates with the overall lifestyle treatment plan, including physical activity and medication use 1.
- The goal of diabetes meal planning is to improve overall health and well-being, rather than just focusing on individual nutrients or foods, and should be tailored to the individual's preferences, needs, and goals 1.
- Ongoing diabetes and nutrition education, paired with appropriate support, is crucial to help individuals with diabetes make healthy food choices and improve their overall health 1.
From the Research
Diet Recommendations for Diabetics
The best diet for diabetics is a topic of ongoing research, with several studies suggesting that a Mediterranean-style diet may be beneficial for diabetes control and prevention.
- The Mediterranean diet has been shown to have favorable effects on glycemic control and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including a reduction in HbA1c levels 2, 3.
- A systematic review of 46 meta-analyses found that a high intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while a high intake of processed meat, red meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with a higher risk 4.
- The Mediterranean diet has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which may help to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes 5, 6.
Key Components of the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Nuts and legumes
- Fish and poultry
- Healthy fats, such as olive oil
- Low intake of:
- Red meat
- Processed meat
- Sugar-sweetened beverages
- Refined grains
Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet for Diabetics
The Mediterranean diet has been shown to have several benefits for diabetics, including: