Primitive man
leads the way in Diabetes
Nutrition
Although
your doctor is unlikely to recommend you begin to eat the same
diet as your primitive ancestors, a recent study at
Lund University, Sweden, suggests that
this is exactly what Type 2 diabetics should be doing. This
unique study into diabetes nutrition was born out of the
observation that the population of the Trobriand Islands, as
well as that of Papua New Guinea, have a very low incidence of
diabetes.
It is
thought that the reason these communities do not suffer from
diabetes is that they eat a diet which is very similar to that
of primitive man. Their meals include fruit, root vegetables,
lean meat and fish, and various types of nut. People in Papua
New Guinea and the Trobriand Islands do not have access to the
dairy products and refined fats that are common in a typical
western diet.
Diabetes nutrition
study compares western and ‘Palaeolithic’
diets
To discover the impact of the primitive diet on
modern diabetics, a trial was set up involving two groups
following specific diabetic meal plans. The first group
followed a typical western diet, including what we
currently belive to be good foods for diabetics such as
low fat dairy products, whole grain cereals and
monounsaturated fats like rapeseed oil.
The
second group had a diabetic meal plan consisting of lean meat,
vegetables, fruit and nuts, and omitting any kind of dairy
products, fats, salt and grains. This meal plan aimed to mirror
the eating habits of man during the Palaeolithic
era.
Palaeolithic diet
has the best diabetic meals
The
conclusions of the diabetes nutrition study showed that the
group following the Palaeolithic diet experienced a reduced
rise in blood sugar level after eating
carbohydrates. The first group, following a
western diet, still experienced a rapid rise in blood sugar
level when they ate the same form of
carbohydrates.
This is the first study of its kind into
diabetes nutrition, and its findings are only in their
early stages. At the moment we still
suggest you follow the established advice on the best
foods for diabetics, as detailed below.
Recommended food
for diabetics and general diabetes nutrition
advice
Here are some tips for putting together your
diabetic meal plan:
- Saturated fats are not recommended for
diabetics; monounsaturated fats such as olive oil
could be used instead. However,
all oils are high in calories and should be used in
moderation. Your diabetic meal plan should limit
fatty foods such as processed meats, pastry, crisps,
chocolate, cakes and full fat dairy
products.
- Starchy foods such as bread, pasta and rice
release glucose into your blood stream slowly, and as
such are great foods for
diabetics. Base your diabetic
meals around these staple foods.
- Fruit and vegetables should feature in your
diabetic meal plan, but be wary of fruit juices which
can increase your blood sugar level
rapidly. Fruit juices should not
be used to quench thirst, but only as a supplement to
water.
- Limiting the amount of sugar in your
diabetic meals will help you to control your blood
sugar. Diabetic chocolates and
sweets are available for those who can’t do without,
but check the fat and sugar content of these
carefully.
- As
well as being aware of good foods for diabetics, you could
look at changing the cooking methods you use. Frying and
roasting are not recommended, and should be replaced by
poaching, baking and
steaming.
Being
diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes does not mean you are sentenced
to a boring diet. Check out a diabetic
cooking magazine for some ideas on creating inspiring diabetic
meals within the recommended limits. As long
as you eat healthily and use fats, sugar and low fat dairy
products in moderation, you should still be able to enjoy a
varied and appetising
diet.
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