How Are Weight Loss and Diabetes Related?

Diabetes is a metabolic disease. When the pancreas stops making insulin or does not secrete enough insulin, it can increase the glucose levels in your blood which can cause many health concerns and fatally affect the body's internal organs. Being obese can increase your chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes caused by insulin resistance. It means the pancreas is making enough insulin, but your body cannot use the same resulting in high blood sugar.

How Can Diabetes Cause Weight Loss?

In Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas cannot secrete enough insulin to break the glucose in the blood, which eventually builds up in the bloodstream. Since the sugar remains in the blood and is not used by the body, the body starts burning the stored fat from the muscles for energy, resulting in weight loss. Some people choose to eat less to control weight while being diabetic. However, that is dangerous since it can lead to high blood sugar levels, causing irreversible damage to the body’s internal organs.

How to Lose Weight with Diabetes

If you have diabetes, it is important to keep a check on your body weight. Obesity can lead to severe internal organ damage, while being underweight can cause anorexia, which can also be fatal. It is very important to maintain a healthy weight while trying to lose the extra pounds as a person with diabetes. Losing about 5% of body weight can immediately boost your overall health. It will help lower your blood sugar and blood pressure and decrease the chances of heart disease.

Also read: Managing Diabetes: 4 Tips You Can Implement to Keep Diabetes Under Control

Here is a quick look at four weight loss diets that can help you in managing your weight:

DASH

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension is abbreviated as DASH. It is a nutritious diet plan that is great for many people, even if you don’t have diabetes. It is loaded with vegetables, fruits, and grains, while it is low on sugar, sodium, and fat.

Plant-based

Plant-based diets focus more on plant-based meals and not consuming any meat. If you choose to be vegetarian, you can still consume dairy products. However, if you decide to go vegan, dairy products are not part of the diet.

Mediterranean

A Mediterranean diet can also be called a lifestyle change. It encourages the consumption of nuts and vegetables with healthy fats. These include avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds.

Also read: 5 Healthy Recipes to Maintain Weight Loss This Year

Low-fat Healthy

Eat more lean protein, including lentils and beans, apart from your daily doses of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Choose low-fat dairy products and low saturated fats.

If you are worried about your weight loss and diabetes, visit us at Newnan Family Medicine Associates P.C. Consult our nutritionist to understand what to eat and how to manage your weight loss as a diabetic. Our professionals provide individual support to patients dealing with diabetes. We will show you the way to a healthier life while keeping your diabetes under control.