How Mediterranean Diet Can Help Diabetes

Mediterranean diet is one of the versatile diet plans. Mediterranean diet can help diabetes if is applied religiously. It is versatile because it has a lot of entries, and a variety at that. Some people find it easy and practical.

The Mediterranean diet can help diabetes too because just like any diet, it helps the person on track of balanced foods and maintain a healthy weight. It is more famous for those who love sea foods. This diet plan mainly consists of fish or shellfish as a primary source of protein; together with legumes. Mediterranean diet is also known as rich in whole grains and vegetables and low in red meat. The red meat is replaced with poultry or fish.

Cooked and raw vegetables are plenty in this diet as well as desserts of spiced and fresh fruits served in the evening meal. Natural vegetable oils such as found in avocado, and olive oil are the primary sources of fats in the Mediterranean diet. It can help diabetes since it avoids animal fats, margarine and butter. Some have lean red meat as an option, albeit it should be strictly kept to minimum.

Since the Mediterranean Diet has a wide variety of entries, it is easy to follow and is not a boring diet. The regional flavoring and spices added keep the meals from being bland and repetitive. Thus, losing weight with Mediterranean Diet is easier.

Eating a Mediterranean Diet may help type 2 diabetics keep their illness under control even without drugs. Many people find this diet as better than a typical low-fat diet.

Mediterranean and low-fat diets

A study in Second University of Naples, Italy showed that type 2 diabetics who adapt Mediterranean Diet are doing better. It really can help diabetes with a lot of vegetables, whole grains and fats from olive oil are better in managing diabetes even without medications than those who ate low-fat diets.

The study was of two groups – one group took Mediterranean diet and the other took low-fat diet. After four years of studying, researchers found that only 44 percent of people on the side of the Mediterranean diet ended up requiring medications for diabetes compared to the 70 percent on the low-fat diet followers.