The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A low-fat vegan diet to control blood sugar levels Health and Lifestyle

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Sunday, Jan 20, 2008
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A low-fat vegan diet to control blood sugar levels Health and Lifestyle

R.Sujatha

National Youth Week in memory of Swami Vivekananda concludes

— Photo: N.Sridharan

Go Green: A large dose of green and leafy vegetables in diet reduces the chances of diabetes.

CHENNAI: The National Youth Week in memory of Swami Vivekananda that concluded on Saturday was probably an apt event to take a fresh look at diabetes considering the huge impact the disease has in India, not even sparing the youth.

Swami Vivekananda also had diabetes, though he did not die of complications that result from uncontrolled blood sugar.

During the week the city played host to a programme where a nutrition researcher suggested that a vegan diet was the best option to control blood sugar levels. In another event, medical students provided tips to check cravings.

The United States-based nutrition researcher Neal Bernard told students about his study, involving 99 people with Type 2 diabetes and conducted with the support of the United States National Institutes of Health.

It found that blood sugar was three times more effectively controlled in people who were on a low-fat vegan diet (excluding even milk products such as yogurt and cheese).

Such people had reduced body weight, cholesterol and blood pressure. Based on the results, he prescribed a diet that does not limit calorie or carbohydrate intake but suggests inclusion of a lot of pulses, vegetables, fruits, whole grain and a source of vitamin B12.

Plant-based diets reduce blood sugar, cut cholesterol and lower body weight besides reducing the need for medication. According to Dr. Bernard, if Americans learned to eat dal (pulses), rice and palak (greens), they would be slimmer and healthier.

Even while travelling it is not difficult to adhere to one’s prescribed diet, he pointed out. His suggestion included requesting non-dairy vegetarian meals on flight, and ordering foods such as oatmeal, pasta with tomato sauce, potatoes and vegetable dishes even if they are not listed in a hotel’s menu.

In Indian restaurants curries they have a generous dose of oil and butter, he cautioned.

At an oratorical contest held recently at the Madras Medical College, several students presented suggestions that largely agreed with Dr. Bernard’s opinions.

“Enjoy eating all you want before you turn 40 but concentrate on diet after that,” said Vivek Sandeep, a third year MBBS student of MMC.

His classmate A. Vignesh went a step ahead and said: “When you go to a restaurant do not opt for buffet. Check with the chef about the contents of the dishes. Be the first to order so that you are not influenced by what your mother or your aunt wants you to order.”

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