3 Diets That Type 2 Diabetics Should Avoid

If you have type 2 diabetes and are currently overweight then you probably have already been instructed by your health care provider to lose weight and to get on a low-fat diet immediately.  Every diet will probably work in the beginning, but you are special and you need to make sure that your diet is one that you can stick with for the long haul.

You may want to ask yourself whether or not the diet that is planned for you is one that you can stay on for years to come.  You will also want to research whether or not your current diet will provide enough nutrition on a daily basis that your body needs.  And last but not least, you need to be sure that your diet will not only help you lose weight, but will also help control your blood glucose, as well as lower your blood fats.

If all of your needs are met from the above questions, then you're probably set and can enjoy this diabetic diet without any problems.  However, if you're unsure whether or not you'll enjoy this diet in the future, or if it's actually producing the results needed to your diabetic needs, then you may want to research more options.

Watch Out For the Following Diets

When you first decide to explore all of the publications on diabetes nutrition that are sold in bookstores, you're bound to come out more confused than ever before.  This is because there seems to be no end of opinions on what makes a sound diet. The fact of the matter is that you are diabetic and there are specific needs that a diabetic must have within his or her diet.  So when you are digging deep into your research, be very cautious about the following diets:

1. Watch out for diets that praise low or no fat foods. Your body needs calories and when people stick to a diet that has little to no fats, they usually end up eating more and more carbohydrates to make up for the calories needed. And as you know, diabetics must pay extra special attention to their carbohydrate intake.  Eating too many carbs can really disrupt your treatment. In addition, research has shown that it is quite healthy for the body to consume certain type of fats – the healthy fats.  Just remember, fats should be consumed in very small amounts.

2. Be careful of diets that promote eating a lot of protein while reducing carbohydrates to a minimum. While low fat diets tend to increase a person's carbohydrate intake, a low carbohydrate diet that promotes high protein intake tends to not give the body enough energy it needs, while causing many people to eat too much meat and saturated fat.  This is the bad fat and it is not good for you all.  Carbs are an important part of your diet.

3. Ignore diets that instruct you to eat too few calories.  Low calorie diets, although healthier than other types of diets, can be dangerous because your body can actually start to cannibalize itself in order to make up for the needed calories, nutrients, and macronutrients that it is not getting.  Unfortunately, many people on a super low calorie diet end up looking emaciated and their energy levels reflect the same. And ultimately, many men and women cannot stick to this diet too long and when they begin eating normally their body goes into survival mode and starts to pack on extra fat-weight and at a rapid pace. This is also dangerous if you are on medication.

So, as you look for dietary options, stop for a moment. Avoid all the hype and find a common sense diet that you can follow. Touch base with your health care provider, your nutritionist, and if available your local diabetic educator.  Remember…this is about long term, lifestyle changes that will keep you healthy.

(c) 2007 Diabetic Info Nurse