A study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that many people with type 2 diabetes are not eating a healthy diet. It was found that a majority of the study participants weren't following national dietary guidelines when choosing their meals.
2,757 people with type 2 diabetes were studied to see what they were eating that caused them to be overweight in the first place. 93 percent had more than the recommended amount of daily calories from fat, 85 percent ate more saturated fat than recommended and 92 percent ate an excessive amount of sodium.
It was also found that 50 percent ate less than the minimum amount of servings of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and whole grains per day, even though it is generally accepted that consumption of these food groups can prevent heart disease.
“The findings clearly illustrate a need to provide ongoing nutrition education for people with diabetes regardless of the amount of time they’ve had the disease,” said Mara Z. Vitolins, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., R.D., lead author on the study. “We can’t continue to assume that people know how to follow an eating pattern that is healthy if they have type 2 diabetes. These people have, within their cupboards and refrigerators, the potential to really manage their diabetes well. Day to day, the foods they are eating should be considered a vital part of their treatment.”
The study was featured in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association this August.
More from your diabetes guide...
- Quick Facts to Know About Eating and Diabetes
- What to Know About Healthy Eating When You Have Type 2 Diabetes
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I find it interesting that yet again the implication is that people with type 2 diabetes are very overweight. I have been maybe 10 lb. overweight for about 20 years now (height is 5′6″, weight is 140 lb). I was diagnosed 6 years ago. Somehow I doubt my weight had anything to do with it. But then I see articles like this one that have phrases like “that caused them to be overweight in the first place” and the assumption is that ALL people with diabetes are overweight. So I end up feeling this has no significance for me, and wonder how I find such significance. Because otherwise there is no hope, as there is for people who are significantly overweight if they lose that weight.
Actually, the study said to me that the guidelines were flawed. Looking at your report, it’s easy to see why; it looks at “non-compliance” against total fat calories, saturated fat, and sodium. It says nothing about carbohydrate amounts – THE dietary constituent that any diabetic who uses their meter learns to treat with caution. Poor guidelines; poor compliance.