Many people are choosing to follow a vegetarian diet these days. People who follow such a diet do not eat meat (meaning no red meat, poultry, seafood or products made with these foods). This diet is a healthy option to consider, but it should be well-planned. Be sure to eat a mix of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts and low-fat dairy products (if you choose to include dairy].
A vegetarian diet is a healthy option even if you have diabetes. Research supports the idea that following this type of diet can help prevent and manage diabetes. In fact, research on vegan diets has found that carb and calorie restrictions were not necessary and that the diet still promoted weight loss and lowered participants' A1C levels.
Vegan diets are naturally higher in fiber, they're much lower in saturated fat and they're cholesterol-free when compared with a traditional American diet. The high fiber in this diet may help you feel full for a longer time after eating and may help you eat less in total. When fiber intake is greater than 50 grams per day on a vegan diet, it may help lower blood-glucose levels, too.
— Source: American Diabetes Association
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, May 2013
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