When faced with having to choose the right diabetes diet plan the 5:2 diet is one you should not ignore. The plan itself is what is considered an intermittent fasting diet. What this means is that in a seven-day cycle you would eat normally on five of them but only consume 500-600 calories on the two remaining days in that week.
What Makes This An Ideal Diabetic Meal Plan?
It has been proven in numerous studies that weight loss may actually lessen insulin resistance. If you suffer from type 2 diabetes or have been diagnosed as having borderline or pre-diabetes, weight loss, and reduced insulin resistance would prove beneficial.
Another bonus of the intermittent fasting diet is that there are no real strict guidelines related to what you should or should not eat, within reason.
That is when you compare it to any other diabetes diet plan that involves complex calculations based on calorie counting and portion measuring. The only main rule is that on the two reduced-calorie fasting days, you don’t use them back-to-back in a normal seven-day cycle.
Your Diabetic Meal Plan – Intermittent Fasting Has Many Benefits.
In addition to weight loss, the 5:2 diet has proven to reduce the number of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol is in the system as well as decrease blood pressure. The insulin resistance reduction that accompanies weight loss is the most important benefit of interest to diabetics.
The insulin sensitivity resulting from intermittent fasting makes this a very good diabetic meal plan option. That being said, there are some cautions to be aware of before choosing this as your diet plan to help with your diabetes.
Things To Watch Out For
Diabetics should first consult with a medical professional to determine if the intermittent fasting diet is the right choice and whether it can be used safely as part of their diabetes therapy.
Also, if you are on insulin there is an additional note of caution. Intermittent fasting may cause a side effect that could result in a higher risk of hypos. This could also happen if you are using certain medications also. If in doubt, check with your doctor first.
The Bottom Line
Weight loss diets have come and gone, as have various tools and regimens designed to help with your diet and weight. For diabetics, the choices are even more reduced with higher risks in most cases. The 5:2 intermittent diet plan is a much easier way to lose weight as it forces your body to use energy stored in your body on reduced-calorie days.
The benefits of this kind of weight loss are many but for diabetics, they include a change in insulin sensitivity.
Essentially, intermittent fasting, as proven through clinical tests, helps you to control your blood sugar levels allowing for safer weight loss through the burning off of fat and stored sugar. And that is what makes this a diabetes diet plan worth exploring further.
