Reverse Diabetes

 

Diabetes affects millions of Americans, making it a serious public health concern. People with diabetes must strictly monitor their carbohydrates to keep blood sugar levels stable. Following a raw diet may help you manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of chronic problems associated with Type 2 diabetes. Consult a doctor before changing your diet if you have diabetes.

Raw Diet Requirements

Dieters consider a food that has never been heated above 116 degrees Fahrenheit to be a raw food. The raw diet emphasizes fresh, organic produce and uncooked beans and grain products. Although some people follow a completely raw diet, others aim for a diet that includes 75 percent raw foods.

Managing Diabetes

People with Type 2 diabetes must carefully monitor their food to prevent spikes and drops in blood sugar. A typical diabetic diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grain products, fish and healthy oils. All these foods can be eaten on a raw diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole or blended in smoothies. Choose sprouted grain products, cold-pressed olive oil and smoked or cured fish to follow a raw diabetic diet.

Lifestyle

To prevent fluctuations in your blood sugar, eat several small meals throughout the day. Eating a piece of fruit is a good way to incorporate carbohydrates into your raw diet without experiencing a large spike in your blood sugar. Keep nuts, seeds and fresh produce on hand to prevent yourself from getting hungry. According to the Federal Citizen Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado, eating cooked foods causes your blood glucose to rise higher than eating raw, whole foods. A raw diet may help you manage your diabetes and prevent dramatic changes in your blood sugar levels.

Evidence

Although no large-scale clinical trials have investigated the effects of a raw diet on diabetes, some evidence suggests that dietary changes may improve symptoms. A group of six people with Type 2 diabetes followed a medically supervised raw, vegan diet for one month. At the end of 30 days, some participants were able to stop using insulin and manage their diabetes through diet alone. More scientific study is needed to determine whether a raw diet helpful for patients with diabetes.

Step 1

Choose complex carbohydrates over refined, processed simple carbohydrates. Look for complex carbs such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables that have a low to medium rating on the glycemic index, which indicates how quickly a food will cause blood sugar levels to rise. Low- to medium-rated foods help keep blood sugar levels steady, which is healthier for the body and helps avoid sudden dips or spikes in hunger levels that might lead to craving foods high in sugar. Include whole-grain breads and cereals, brown rice, quinoa, dried beans and lentils in your daily diet.

Step 2

Eat fruits and vegetables as the foundation of your diabetic diet or to help with diabetes prevention. Produce is rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals; is low in calories; has little to no fat; and is a source of dietary fiber, which aids in stomach digestion. Consume apples, oranges, pears, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, peppers, green leafy vegetables and sweet potatoes as snacks or with meals daily.

Step 3

Eat onions and other foods from the onion family daily to help fight diabetes. These foods contain properties that help stabilize blood sugar levels. Include onions, leeks, garlic, garlic powder and scallions in your daily diet by adding them to soups, salads and stir-fry.

Step 4

Eat lean protein to help stabilize blood sugar levels. Protein has a satiating effect on the appetite and will help decrease cravings for high-sugar and fatty foods. Foods high in protein include beef, turkey, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, Greek yogurt and low-fat cheese.

Step 5

Avoid processed foods such as cakes, cookies, candy and chocolate bars for snacks, treats and desserts. These foods are all high in sugar and fat, which increase blood sugar levels, caloric intake and unhealthy weight gain. Instead, choose a healthier treat or dessert, such as dark chocolate, which is a source of antioxidants and might help prevent cancers and heart disease. Dark chocolate also contains less sugar than milk chocolate, which might help control glucose in the blood. Look specifically for chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cocoa for the most benefits and enjoy up to three small squares a day in moderation.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/497401-raw-diet-to-reverse-diabetes/#ixzz2Rex62HrZ