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From Mary Washington Hospital Diabetes Management Program

What diet is best??

Dare we say Dr.Atkins was right?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has never been a supporter of low carb diets. People with diabetes who wanted to lose weight were advised to follow a heart healthy diet, moderate in carbs. There just wasn’t enough evidence to support carbohydrate restriction.

Now that more research is available, the ADA recommends that the meal plan fits the person. The best indicator of success with weight loss is whether the person can stick with it.

If a low carbohydrate diet is what you prefer, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. When replacing carb calories with fats and proteins, make sure to choose heart healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil, nuts and fish. Also, be sure to have your cholesterol levels monitored. If you are a diabetes patient with kidney disease, you should also be aware that high protein diets can worsen kidney problems. It’s best to choose more vegetable proteins like nuts and beans.

The bottom line: Weight loss helps decrease insulin resistance and reduces risk for diabetes complications. Use moderation and choose a variety of healthy foods. There is no magic pill for weight loss so follow the plan that works best for you and stick with it.

Stefanie Rekdal, RD, CDE

Posted by Mary Washington Hospital Diabetes Management Program

For Your dLife

Beat the Heat!

Summertime, and the living is....well, not so easy. Heat, travel, and other summer-related stressors can take a toll on diabetes control. The good news is that with a few relatively simple precautions, you can help your patients maintain good blood glucose control and enjoy all that summer has to offer.

Posted by dLife