Nutrition therapy for diabetes is often one part of a multi-pronged treatment plan for managing the disease, as well as blood sugar monitoring and insulin. One of the main benefits of nutrition therapy for diabetes is that it allows the individual with the disease to feel more in control of his or her condition, and increase understanding of what causes spikes or drops in blood sugar. Nutrition therapy can also prevent diabetes from worsening or slow its progression. In some cases, people who are pre-diabetic may be able to avoid the disease entirely with a weight loss and diet plan.
In most cases, individuals with the disease will not be able to develop a plan for nutrition therapy for diabetes by themselves. It is often referred to as medical nutrition therapy (MNT), and is developed with the assistance of a doctor and a registered dietitian. The specific plan is based on the needs of the individual; each person may require different dietary allowances based on the way his or her body processes carbohydrates and sugar. It might require some time to develop a nutrition plan that works, and consistently assists in weight loss and blood sugar management.
A large benefit of nutrition therapy for diabetes is that it allows people to take an active role in their illness, and understand what potentially caused it, and what they can do to manage it. As people follow a strict diet plan, they may begin to lose weight and find that it is easier to maintain their blood sugar levels throughout the day, because they understand what is affecting it. As these physical benefits occur, it may prevent the condition from becoming worse, or slow its other potential detrimental effects on the body.
People who have not yet been diagnosed with the disease, but have been told they are pre-diabetic may find that nutrition therapy for diabetes can help to prevent the condition. This is only applicable to Type II diabetes, which can occur due to lifestyle habits and diet. Changing the diet, such as by following a healthy meal plan made up primarily of vegetables, fruits, and complex carbohydrates found in whole grain foods, can contribute to weight loss, stabilize blood sugar, and prevent a diabetes diagnosis. It is a real challenge to manage diabetes through nutrition, but with the help of a doctor and dietitian, many people find that it is very helpful as a treatment method.