800 Calorie Diet-Plan for Type 2 Diabetes
Healthful Vitality | 10/18/2021 | By NP Contributor | 800 Calorie Diet-Plan for Type 2 Diabetes
Most healthy individuals need to consume more than 2000 calories a day. Usually, anything up to 3000 calories may be fine for physically active individuals.
However, due to the easy availability of various food items, ultra-processed foods, binge eating, many adults are almost addicted to food. It is especially true for developed economies of the western world, where many people consume 4000 or more calories a day.
High intake of calories is leading to obesity in the majority of the population, along with metabolic disorders. It means that a faulty diet is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes (T2D).
800 calorie diets as the most potent way of controlling type 2 diabetes
Theoretically, just any restrictive diet would work for those living with diabetes. Studies show that diets like the vegan diet, keto diet, may help in many cases. However, these diets do not essentially restrict calories. For example, the keto diet focuses on a high intake of fats, and thus a person on a keto diet may start consuming a large number of calories.
In those living with diabetes, there is an increased production of glucose (neo-glucogenesis). It means that their body can even produce glucose from fats or proteins.
Extensive physical activity may help. However, burning vast amounts of calories is quite tricky for most individuals. Thus, exercise only helps when used along with dietary restrictions. For example, jogging for two kilometers may help burn 200-300 calories, whereas calories in 100 grams of chocolate are almost 600.
Researchers have experimented with various low-calorie diets like 1500 or 1200 calories a day. But they found that an 800 calorie diet plan is the most effective plan for weight loss and diabetes reversal.
Agencies and clinics are recommending 800 calorie diets
At present, various health care agencies and clinics are recommending 800 calorie diets to people living with T2D. It is because one of the studies demonstrated the amazing benefits of such a diet. In a study, 12 months of 800 calorie diet could not only help reduce body weight significantly it also led to complete remission of diabetes in more than half of the cases.
The study also showed that the chances of diabetes remission in obese adults were proportional to weight loss. Thus, those who could shed more than 15 kg had an impressive T2D remission rate of 86%.
Studies also show that benefits from restrictive diets may be more significant when combined with intense physical activity.
It means that limiting calorie intake, engaging in physical activity may lead to diabetes remission in almost 90% of cases. However, such a remission rate is more likely in those living with mild to moderate diabetes, as they still have some working beta-cells in the pancreas.
800 calorie diet is not for anyone living with type 2 diabetes
Regretfully, an 800 calorie diet is not for everyone living with type 2 diabetes. It may not be of considerable help for those with average body weight or non-obese individuals. Additionally, it is worth noticing that one practicing 800 calorie diets may considerably increase the risk of various micronutrients (minerals, vitamins). Thus, any such diet should be practiced under medical supervision, especially when dietary restrictions are practiced for a prolonged period.
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