Dieting With Diabetes: 9 Dos and Don'ts to Lose Weight
Dieting With Diabetes: 9 Dos and Don'ts to Lose Weight
It backfires. "When you skip meals, you're setting yourself up for a poor eating pattern for the day, as you'll probably be hungrier later on," says Jaclyn London, RD, senior clinical dietitian at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
She explains that meal skipping is especially dangerous for people with diabetes. "It can put you at risk for hypoglycemia, and not eating consistently can interfere with how certain diabetes medications are processed in your body."
Eat breakfast. If you don't, "you're essentially asking your body to run on no fuel," London says.
She recommends starting the day with a high-protein ingredient, such as an egg or Greek yogurt, so you stay full longer.
Many people overeat when they're anxious or depressed. "Stress is a huge factor. It actually raises your blood sugar levels," Brown says. She often encourages her clients to meet with a therapist to learn other ways to handle stress.
Having a strong support system can make all the difference. That can include friends, family, co-workers, or people who are working toward the same goal.
You can also team up with experts. "I'm a big believer in working with a lifestyle coach, whether it's in person, over the telephone, or via the Internet," Dansinger says. "You'll get the advice, structure, and external accountability you need, which can increase the likelihood of losing 10 percent of your body weight by fivefold."
Recent guidelines (issued jointly by the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and The Obesity Society) urge doctors to refer overweight and obese people to a comprehensive lifestyle program that lasts at least 6 months.
9 Dos and Don'ts of Dieting With Diabetes
4. DON'T blow off breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner!
It backfires. "When you skip meals, you're setting yourself up for a poor eating pattern for the day, as you'll probably be hungrier later on," says Jaclyn London, RD, senior clinical dietitian at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
She explains that meal skipping is especially dangerous for people with diabetes. "It can put you at risk for hypoglycemia, and not eating consistently can interfere with how certain diabetes medications are processed in your body."
Eat breakfast. If you don't, "you're essentially asking your body to run on no fuel," London says.
She recommends starting the day with a high-protein ingredient, such as an egg or Greek yogurt, so you stay full longer.
5. DO work with your emotions.
Many people overeat when they're anxious or depressed. "Stress is a huge factor. It actually raises your blood sugar levels," Brown says. She often encourages her clients to meet with a therapist to learn other ways to handle stress.
6. DON'T keep your goal a secret.
Having a strong support system can make all the difference. That can include friends, family, co-workers, or people who are working toward the same goal.
You can also team up with experts. "I'm a big believer in working with a lifestyle coach, whether it's in person, over the telephone, or via the Internet," Dansinger says. "You'll get the advice, structure, and external accountability you need, which can increase the likelihood of losing 10 percent of your body weight by fivefold."
Recent guidelines (issued jointly by the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and The Obesity Society) urge doctors to refer overweight and obese people to a comprehensive lifestyle program that lasts at least 6 months.
