Recent research has found that vegetarians have a lower risk of developing diabetes. With all the new scientific findings regarding protein sources and different types of diet, it has been concluded that animal products double the risk of developing diabetes. Many wellness experts recommend substituting animal fats for plant-based oils such as olive oil and nuts. A diet consisting of legumes, whole-grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, and nuts is also deemed the best for people at risk of diabetes or living with it.
And that’s not all. Switching out meat and eggs with healthier options such as lentils and nuts may increase life-expectancy. Vegans also do not have to worry about bulking up, and the diet is as effective in maintaining strength when consuming foods like legumes, nuts, and kale as an animal-based diet.
Have you considered turning vegan? I did. But it turns out that I did not know as much of it as I do now. If you believe that there are certain things that you cannot do without, think again! I recently learned that there are many types of vegetarian. So, read on, and you might find one sub-type that would suit you and benefit you at the same time.
| Meat | Poultry | Fish | Eggs | Dairy | |
| Vegan | X | X | X | X | X |
| Lacto Vegetarian | X | X | X | X | / |
| Ovo Vegetarian | X | X | X | / | X |
| Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian | X | X | X | / | / |
| Pollotarian | X | / | X | / | / |
| Pescatarian | X | X | / | / | / |
Although vegetarian diets have this healthy vibe going on, get this: healthy plant-based diets were found to decrease the risk of diabetes by 34% while less-healthy plant-based diets increased the risk of diabetes by 16%. This means that being a vegetarian does not automatically make your diet healthier: it still depends on the food choices you make. Legit healthy plant-based diets increase the levels of antioxidants, fiber, micronutrients and unsaturated fatty acids.
If you have diabetes, a vegetarian diet may not be a cure-all remedy but it may help in other aspects such as weight control and reduced risks for diabetes-related complications and may help your body to respond better to insulin. If you are considering any of the vegetarian diets as an option, inform your healthcare team so they can help you with an eating plan. Keep in mind that a diet with fewer animal products is healthier, but the quality of the diet also plays an important role.
[expand title=”References“]
Matthews S. Could this be a good reason to turn vegan? Meat-eaters are twice as likely to get diabetes. The Daily Mail. February 2017. Accessed 2/28/2017.
Castro MR. Could switching to a vegetarian diet cure my diabetes? Mayo Clinic. Accessed 2/28/2017.
Newman T. Healthy vegetarian diet reduces type 2 diabetes risk substantially. Medical News Today. June 2016. Accessed 2/28/2017.
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