World Diabetes Day 2018: The best foods to help reverse type 2 diabetes

It’s not easy to go into remission from Type 2 diabetes, but it is possible through diet
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There are 3.7 million people in the UK who are diagnosed with diabetes.

Whilst diabetes is often linked to obesity and poor diet, it's important to remember that there are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin and type 2 is the same or when the body's cells don't react to insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 and often comes down to lifestyle choices as it is linked with obesity.

The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes according to the NHS are feeling thirsty, passing more urine than usual, feeling tired and weight loss or loss of muscle.

One of the most common side effects of this type of diabetes is vision loss and blindness, it can also cause kidney failure and lower limb amputation and those with diabetes are five times more likely to have heart disease.

So what can you do if you are pre-diabetic or have diabetes?

While there is no cure for diabetes as yet, one of the things you can do to go into remission from diabetes is to overhaul your lifestyle.

Libby Dowling, Senior Clinical Advisor at Diabetes UK, said: “We recommend eating plenty of fruits and vegetables as they are naturally low in fat and packed full of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Foods such as wholegrains, nuts, seeds, legumes and fermented foods like yogurts have also been found to be protective against Type 2 diabetes when eaten as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

“Ultimately the best way to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes is by maintaining a healthy weight and this can be done by following a balanced diet and doing regular exercise. For some people with Type 2 diabetes, we also know that significant weight loss can potentially put it into remission.”

London's best healthy lunches

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Clinical Director at Bupa Health Clinics, Dr Petra Simic added: “Don’t lose heart if you have Type 2 Diabetes – you can live well with the right care and support. You can better manage the condition through a number of ways, such as exercising regularly to lower your blood glucose levels, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and limiting your alcohol intake.”

High-fibre foods help slow down glucose absorption and regulate blood sugar levels, which makes them perfect to help prevent or reverse the effects of diabetes.

Below are five high-fibre foods to add to your diet.

1. Fruits

If you are already diabetic, stick to low-sugar fruits like oranges, melon, kiwifruit and berries. Fruit can satisfy your sweet tooth while also being rich in fibre and antioxidants.

2. Green vegetables

These are the most important foods to focus on as high green vegetable consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and lowering the hemoglobin A1c levels in people with diabetes . In fact, a recent study found that a greater leafy green intake showed a 14 per cent decrease in type 2 diabetes.

Healthy food swaps

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3. Non-starchy vegetables

Other than green veggies, mushrooms, onions, aubergines, garlic and peppers have almost non-existent effects on blood glucose and are packed with fibre.

4. Beans and legumes

These, along with lentils are an ideal carbohydrate source as they are low in GL and contain high amounts of protein and fibre.

5. Nuts and seeds

Nuts have anti-inflammatory effects that could prevent the development of insulin resistance. A recent study found a 27 per cent reduced risk of developing diabetes in the participants who ate five or more servings of nut per week.

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