WHAT'S YOUR HEALTHY WEIGHT? PART II

In this secyion

• Different eating patterns for weight loss
• Other diets
• Commercial weight loss programmes
• Physical activity
• Top tips
• How do you know if you need to lose weight?

Different eating patterns for weight loss

There are a lot of eating plans or ‘diets’ for weight loss, but just a few of them have undergone rigorous research to determine whether they are safe and effective for people with diabetes. Most of the weight loss diets that have evidence for use in diabetes have been studied in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Low fat, healthy balanced diet

This is the conventional healthy, balanced diet that involves eating foods from all the five food groups. You’ll eat more fruits and vegetables, some starchy carbohydrates, proteins and dairy, but limit the amount of fat you eat.

The main principle of low-fat diets is that, gram for gram, fat contains more calories than any other macronutrient – so by reducing your fat intake you’ll reduce your calorie intake, too. However, it is not that straightforward. If you replace your fat with larger portions of starchy foods, you are less likely to derive much benefit. Therefore, it is important to look at your overall portion sizes and try to reduce portions of other foods, as well as the fat. Try replacing some of the reduced portions with more fruits and vegetables, which are generally lower in calories, so that you don’t feel hungry.

Try these other ways to reduce fat in your diet:

• Limit the use of oil in cooking.
• Reduce the amount of butter and spread you use.
• Opt for reduced-fat or low-fat alternatives for dairy and pre-packed foods whenever possible.
• Read the labels on pre-packaged food – if the fat per portion is red, choose something else.

There’s been extensive research into low-fat diets, which has shown that this approach can help you to lose weight, control your HbA1c and reduce your cardiovascular risk factors. There is also evidence that the positive changes gained from this dietary approach can be maintained for over four years.

Low-carbohydrate diet

There are several versions of a low-carb diet. The general principle of a low-carb diet is to limit means limiting the amount of carbohydrates you eat, and to get more of your calories from proteins and fat.

Practical ways of doing this include making sure that the limited carbohydrates you include in your diet come from good sources, like fruits and vegetables, pulses, dairy and wholegrain options of starchy foods, rather than foods laden with unhealthy fats and sugars like cakes, biscuits, pastries, and fizzy drinks. You will not derive enough benefit from a low-carb diet if you replace your carbohydrates with too much fat.

Since the amount of carbohydrate has the biggest effect on blood glucose levels after eating, many people with diabetes need to have some level of carbohydrate restriction. Review of evidence shows that low-carb diets can help people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight and improve blood glucose control.

If you treat your diabetes with insulin or any other medication that puts you at risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels), following a low-carb diet may increase this risk. However, your diabetes team can help you adjust your medications to reduce your risk of hypos.

Very low calorie diet

Very low calorie diet (VLCD) involves restricting your daily calorie intake to fewer than 1,000kcal a day, and in some cases between 450 and 800kcal a day. This is achieved through usual foods, liquid foods (proprietary formula) to replace meals or a combination of the two.

If you choose a very low calorie diet, meal replacement products are available to buy as ready-made milkshakes or powdered milk that need some preparation, snack bars and soups. If you decide to use any of these products for total meal replacement, make sure that the product you buy provides all the essential nutrients in the stated servings. If you are doing a partial meal replacement, try to eat more fruit and vegetables as part of your meals, to make sure you’re getting enough fibre.

There is evidence that VLCLD significantly improves HbA1c and results in weight loss in people with Type 2 diabetes. You might have heard more about these diets recently, with results of a small study reporting possible reversal of Type 2 diabetes in people who consumed 600kcal/ day for eight weeks. However, the researchers are currently undertaking a larger study to better understand how the results can be replicated in real life.

Because this is a restrictive diet, it is not recommended in the long term – generally up to 12 weeks. You’ll need medical supervision to make sure that you’re getting all the essential nutrients you need. If you’re on insulin or certain diabetes medications,you may also need support to adjust your medications to prevent hypos. You might also need to test your blood glucose more often.

Mediterranean diet

illustration of a forkThis is a diet largely based on plant foods and includes a lot of vegetables, beans and pulses, nuts and seeds, wholegrain breads and pasta, and olive oil. It also includes some dairy (milk and yogurts), eggs and fish in moderation. Red meat and processed foods are usually avoided, and wine is included in moderation.

Although the majority of studies on this diet have taken place in Mediterranean countries, there is evidence that the Mediterranean-style diet can promote weight loss, improve blood glucose control and help reduce cardiovascular risk in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Low Glycaemic Index (GI) diet

Glycaemic index is the ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods based on their immediate effect on blood glucose levels. Foods that break down slowly are assigned a lower GI, and these are deemed to be better for you, especially as they tend to raise blood glucose levels slowly.

People who follow a low GI diet, opt for carbohydrate-containing foods that have a low GI. Several reviews have concluded that this dietary approach improves blood glucose control in people with diabetes as well as helps to reduce cardiovascular risk. Although there is some evidence that low GI diet can promote weight loss in people without diabetes, the evidence for weight loss in people with diabetes is insufficient.

Read more: CLICK HERE

Other diets

There are other popular diets like the Intermittent fasting (e.g. the 5:2 diet) and the Paleo diet etc. These diets have not been included here because there is not enough evidence for their use in people with diabetes. Whether you choose to try one of these eating plans, or another type of diet, it’s essential that you discuss your plans with your diabetes team. They can make sure you have the right information and the support you need to be successful with your weight loss plan.

Commercial weight-loss programmes

Trying to eat more healthily and leading a more active lifestyle is not easy for everyone. You may need more support and choose to join a weight-loss programme. Commercial weight-loss programmes are likely to involve one, or a combination of, the following:

• calorie-controlled weight-loss eating plan
• individual, group or internet support
• meal replacements, such as milkshakes, ready meals or bars
• psychological support.

Choose a programme that provides support and education to make sure that the weight loss you are promised is realistic and sustainable. Remember to let your diabetes team know if you are starting a new programme, as it may affect your blood glucose levels and medication.

What should I look for in a weight-loss programme

There are a lot of new – and some fad – weight-loss programmes on the market. It is important that you know what to look for in choosing a ‘diet’ or a weight-loss programme. Before you choose, ask yourself:

• Is the weight loss offered realistic?
• Are you getting all the nutrition you need from this programme?
• Does the programme give support and education?
• Has a healthcare professional been involved?
• Does the programme offer advice on your diabetes (especially if you are at risk of hypoglycaemia)?

Physical activity

illustration of a pair of trainersMake sure you include physical activity as part of your weight-loss plan – there’s evidence that a combination of changing what you eat and being more active is an effective way to manage your weight. And regular physical activity not only promotes weight loss: it can also help improve blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.

Adults should aim to be active every day. During one week, activity should add up to at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) of moderate intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more – one way to approach this is to do 30 minutes on at least five days a week. How do you know when you’re doing moderate intensity activity? You’ll be breathing more heavily, but can still speak or hum – not sing. Try:

• taking a brisk walk
• going for a bike ride
• going swimming
• playing tennis
• dancing
• gardening
• cleaning.

Alternatively, you can get similar results and health benefits by doing 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity spread across the week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activity. Vigorous intensity acitivity is when you’re working really hard. You’ll only be able to say a word or two and will be heavily perspiring. Try running or cycling at a faster pace to normal.

At least two days a week, do some physical activity that will improve your muscle strength. This can be something as simple as carrying your food shopping home from the supermarket or grocery shop.

All adults should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.

These recommendations are intended to help people maintain a healthy weight. If you’re aiming to lose weight, you may have to do more than the above general recommendations. But all physical activity will help you to improve your health, and if you have not been active for a while, you can start increasing you physical activity levels gradually.

If you’ve started increasing your physical activity levels, you might find that, while you’re losing inches round your waist, there’s not much change on the scales. This can be frustrating, but don’t worry – you’re still doing your overall health a lot of good. Losing some inches around your waist can help to manage your diabetes better, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Before you start any new physical activity, speak to your diabetes team, who can make sure you have all the information you need about how your diabetes might be affected. This is particularly important if you treat you diabetes with insulin or certain diabetes medications, as doing more physical activity may increase your risk of hypos so your medications may need adjusting.

How will weight loss affect my diabetes?

Being overweight makes diabetes control difficult because it can lead to insulin resistance, making it hard for your body to use insulin properly. If you have Type 2 diabetes, losing excess weight is the most effective way of managing your condition. Apart from the feel-good factor, there’s lots of research to show that losing weight improves blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fats (cholesterol) levels and has long-term health benefits.

If you manage your diabetes with insulin and/or tablets, you may need your doses to be adjusted as you lose weight and become more active. Your diabetes healthcare team can advise you about any changes to your medication, and your dietitian can help you design a weight-loss programme that works for you.

Top tips for losing weight

1. Be clear about your goals and write them down. Keeping a food diary can help you identify habts you've got into without realising, such as that cup of tea with biscuits mid-morning; the hunk of cheese you nibble on while cooking dinner or that glass of wine in front of the TV. It can also highlight triggers, such as raiding the fridge when you're hungry after work or eating chocolate when you're upset. 

2. Be prepared – think ahead to take account of holidays, special events etc

3. Think about obstacles that may affect your weight loss and devise a plan to beat them

4. Visualise your success by thinking about how it will feel when you achieve your goals. See it, feel it and remember it.

5. Get a good night's sleep - research has shown that if you are tired you feel hungrier and are more likely to crave fatty and sugar foods. 

6. Avoid restrictive diets with an all-or-nothing approach. By following a diet that allows the occasional treat, you're more likely to stick to it. If you have one bad day it won't undo all your hard work, so don't be hard on yourself - even the most successful dieters have off days. Move on, tomorrow's another day.

7. Enjoy the food you eat. If you like so-called 'dieting' foods, like rice cakes, cottage cheese or celery then by all means include them, but you're not so keen, eat what you enjoy but keep to sensible food portion sizes. This way you are more likely to feel satisfied and stick to your weight-loss plan. 

Read more: http://thebigdiabeteslie.7health.org/