Why Fad Diets Don’t Work Effectively in Controlling Diabetes in the Long Term?
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If you or someone you know has diabetes, finding the right diet to help manage it is always on your mind, isn’t it?
Today, several fad diets promise to lower your blood sugar levels.
A fad diet is any weight loss plan that promises quick results and is usually a temporary nutritional change.
Are these fad diets really effective in the long term?
Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding NO! It is very common for people to fall prey to diet fads that assure effective symptom relief but often cause more harm than help.
If you are lost in the storm of diet fads, this article is for you!
Diet Fads & Long-Term Diabetes Management
Let’s briefly look at the most common fad diets that appear promising for people with diabetes but fail to be a sustainable model in the long run.
1) Ketogenic Diet
What it is?
Also called the keto diet, it is a low-carb, high-fat diet based on the concept that reduced carbohydrate intake prompts the body to burn fat for energy.
This diet recommends eggs, fish, meat and poultry, avocado, paneer, nuts, and seeds.
The carbohydrate intake in a keto diet is usually less than 50 grams/day, with a relative increase in the proportions of protein and fat.
Why Is it challenging to follow?
There are several reasons why this diet is not sustainable for diabetes management in the long run:
- Traditional Indian eating habits cannot sustain a low-carb diet as we eat rice, wheat or millet as part of every meal
- The restrictions in diet are tough to follow
- It increases the risk of kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies and, in the long term, high cholesterol.
2) Vegan Diet
What it is?
A restrictive diet, the vegan diet has become a favourite for many because, unlike several other diets, it seems to be a healthy and nutritious approach.
It is a predominantly plant-based diet completely free of meat, dairy, and animal-based products.
However, to make this diet work for you, some planning and your nutritionist’s prescription are required.
Many short-term studies have shown few potential benefits of a vegan diet, such as weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity.
Why Is it challenging to follow?
People who eat vegan diets are at a greater risk of developing nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, vitamin B6, Vitamin B3 (niacin), iron, calcium, omega-3 fats, iodine, and zinc. All these nutrients are predominantly found in foods sourced from animals.
For this reason, meticulous planning is needed to follow a vegan diet plan, the preparation for which can be tiresome and energy-consuming, to say the least, in the long run. Additionally, eat-out options are limited.
3) Paleo Diet
What it is?
This diet is based on prehistoric dietary habits,i.e., it does not include any foods based on agriculture, such as grains, legumes, sugar and even salt!
It is high in proteins, fibre, healthy fats, and potassium but low in sodium. The Paleo diet is known to provide an acid-alkaline balance in the body.
Like many others, it is considered a low-carb diet. Studies have shown that people following this diet pattern enjoy various benefits, including low cholesterol levels, improved blood glucose, better sleep, and more energy.
Why Is it challenging to follow?
For any individual, a restrictive diet like the Paleo diet can be hard to stick to in the long run. A few reasons why this diet will not work in the long term are:
- Since it requires minimal cooking, it is difficult to eat raw or partially cooked food for a long time
- It is very cumbersome to follow
- Due to the many rules it includes, there are limited eat-out options
Beyond Fad Diets: Sustainable Diabetes Care with Fitterfly
Managing type 2 diabetes requires specific lifestyle changes, like losing over 5% of body weight, eating right as a nutritionist advises, and following exercise plans from a physiotherapist.
Fitterfly’s Diabetes Prime Program helps you make these changes effectively, with personalized support from our expert team, ensuring long-term diabetes management.
Remember, there’s no quick fix for diabetes; fad diets are short-lived solutions. For sustainable diabetes care, our program offers a tailored approach.
Give us a missed call on 08069450746 to see how we can support your journey to better health.
Fitterfly's Diabetes Prime Program
