A plant-based diet for type 2 diabetes: scientific support and practical strategies.
The purpose of this review is to provide educators with the knowledge and tools to utilize plant-based nutrition education as an intervention for type 2 diabetes. Scientific support for the efficacy, acceptability, and nutritional adequacy of a plant-based diet for people with type 2 diabetes is presented, and practical considerations such as medication adjustment and risk of hypoglycemia are reviewed.



Plant-based meal planning is an acceptable and effective strategy that educators can use to improve diabetes management and reduce risk of complications. Studies show that dietary changes that are effective for reducing cardiac risk may also be helpful for management of type 2 diabetes. A low-fat, plant-based diet reduces body weight and improves glycemic control, and has been shown to be remarkably well accepted by patients.
Trapp
Caroline
C
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington, DC (Ms Trapp, Dr Barnard, Dr Katcher)|Premier Internists, Division of the Millennium Medical Group, Southfield, Michigan (Ms Trapp)|University of Michigan School of Nursing, Division of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Programs, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Ms Trapp)
Barnard
Neal
N
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington, DC (Ms Trapp, Dr Barnard, Dr Katcher)|George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC (Dr. Barnard)
Katcher
Heather
H
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington, DC (Ms Trapp, Dr Barnard, Dr Katcher)
D000328:Adult; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006285:Health Planning / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology