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Why are both my dietitian and diabetes specialist nurse so against my family buying me diabetic foods? I find my diet very hard to keep to and never lose weight anyway. So why can’t I have diabetic foods as a treat?
Your dietitian and diabetes specialist nurse are not recommending the use of diabetic foods because those foods do not offer any health benefits. They are expensive and may affect your blood glucose. They are often high in fats and calories so will not help you lose weight. Finally they can produce an unpleasant laxative effect.
Having to follow any ‘diet* is never easy and many people get fed up and find it hard to avoid what they perceive as forbidden foods. There are no forbidden foods for people with diabetes but we do recommend sensible guidelines. Having an occasional treat is perfectly acceptable but it is important to recognise how often you have a treat and how much you have.
If you feel frustrated by not losing weight then a better goal for you may be weight maintenance. As we get older our weight normally increases so not gaining weight is still success.
I am trying to lose weight. How much should I lose a week?
It is best to lose weight gradually. If you are overweight then weight loss is to be encouraged but it is also important to keep the weight off. As you get used to the changes in your eating habits your new routine should become more familiar to you and make it less likely for you to lapse back to your old habits.
A target of 0.5-1 kg (1-2 lb) per week is realistic and achievable for most people. Losing weight more rapidly can cause you to lose valuable muscle as well as fat. To lose 0.5 kg (1 lb) a week you have to reduce your calorie intake by 3500 calories per week (500 calories each day). Increasing your activity will also help to use up some of these calories. You may find that you lose more in one week and less in another, but this is quite normal as your body adjusts to your new plan. It is important not to give up at these times and continue to maintain your efforts. By keeping a food diary and looking carefully at your choices and portions of food you can make your own aims for change. Even a small amount of weight loss (5-10%) is known to improve control of diabetes, decrease blood pressure and improve blood fats (e.g. cholesterol).
Fad diets may offer a quick fix but they are often unhealthy and most people find they cannot sustain them. It is common for people who lose weight too quickly to regain their previous weight and more within a few years.