People with type 2 diabetes are not doing themselves any favors by failing to maintain healthy diets, which could significantly aid their management of the disease, according to a new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
The study, which appears in the August edition of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, was conducted to find out what foods people with Type 2 diabetes were eating to make them overweight, according to several news reports, including an article on Hiliq.com. Researchers found that most were not following national guidelines outlining optimal food intake.
Researchers said they expected to find that chronically ill individuals would be more educated and motivated to eat healthier to manage their disease. However, that was not the case, they say. The study examined the food consumption of 2,757 people with Type 2 diabetes. The study found that 93% of study participants consumed too many calories, while 85% had too much saturated fat. Also, 92% took in too much sodium, while less than half ate the recommended minimum fruits, veggies, dairy and grains.
The study’s findings illustrate the need for ongoing nutritional education for people with Type 2 diabetes, no matter how long they have had the disease, researchers say.
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