I REPEAT: CARBS ARE NOT THE ENEMY

Do I have your attention now? Good. There is a general consensus among a LOT of research (see references below) that a whole food, plant-based diet with limited intake of refined foods and animal products is highly beneficial for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.

Yet, I still have people with type 2 diabetes tell me they can’t have potatoes or that they have to limit their fresh fruit intake. BUT WHY?

Fresh fruit especially contains many vitamins and minerals, fiber, and water (some contain over 90% water!) and has shown to be part of a healthful diet, not increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, and improve blood sugar levels.

The advantages of a plant-based diet have shown to extend further beyond type 2 diabetes and can positively impact risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

What Other Experts are Saying:

“The case for using a plant-baed diet to reduce the burden of type 2 diabetes and improve overall health has never been stronger.”
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology

“A plant-based diet is a powerful tool for preventing, managing, and even reversing type 2 diabetes. Not only is this the most delicious ‘prescription’ you can imagine, but it’s also easy to follow. Unlike other diets, there’s no calorie counting, no skimpy portions, and no carb counting. Plus, all the ‘side effects’ are good ones.”
Dr Neal Barnard MD, FACC, President, Physicians Committee

Resources:

https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/diabetes
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology (2017) 14: 342-354
http://dx.doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2223-3652.2014.10.04
PLoS One. 11(6):e0155918
AM J Health Pronot. 32(3).753-762
Diabetes Spectr. 30(2):82-88

Eating more plants can come with its challenges. There’s a lot of nutrition noise out there, everyone has an opinion, and it can be confusing to figure out what works best for YOU. Working through these challenges and learning how to easily incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet and lifestyle can be helpful. Working with a plant-based dietitian to guide you through your unique journey and surrounding yourself with other like-minded people who are on a similar journey can be monumental. When you join my nutrition coaching program, you’ll get a highly customized, one-on-one experience to help you confidently and sustainably eat foods that taste good and make you feel good. Click the button below to learn more about my approach and see what other clients have to say.