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The Question
11/30/11 05:10 PM

"Is a 15 day green juice/smoothie fast using primarily green vegetables with a little fruit safe for a type 2 diabetic."
Asked By: christinalbc  
Category: Food and Nutrition

Background Info Hide
Type 2 Diabetes, obese and taking Metformin 1000 mg twice a day.

Expert Answers (1)

12/12/11 12:51 PM

Hello,

Thanks for asking dLife.

Fasting on vegetable and fruit jucies for that length of time may not be safe and effective for anyone, especially for people with diabetes. From your description, many important nutrients are missing from the fast. These juices do contain carbohydrates and can still increase blood glucose (sugar) levels.

The goal is for people to lose weight and keep it off. The fast does not teach people how to eat healthfully and better manage their diabetes.

Talk with a registered dietitian about establishing a personalized meal and activity plan. He or she can help you incorporate your preferences and lifestyle into the plan.

Learn more about weight loss!

Take care.

Answered By: Liz Quintana
Accreditations: EdD, RD, LD, CDE
Sources Show

Community Answers (5)

12/21/11 07:28 AM

With so much information available these days, there are many variants of what is and what is not helpful to a person. I had a three-pronged approach to my juice fast. I used the cleansing fast of the Lemonade cleanse, followed by a modification of my eating habits based on scriptural principles. We were vegan prior to the flood... and vegans built Noah's ark... so I figured I was okay. Then I read Dr. Neal Barnard's book on reversing diabetes and tried the diet option there of reducing fat in my diet (keeping it to 2-3g per serving of any food). My blood sugar evened out, without medicine, and stayed level at about 110. I've been Type 2 for about 10 years, and this is the best my blood sugar has naturally been in a long time. I am no longer on metformin (haven't been for a couple of years), and the weight naturally came off due to the healthier lifestyle. It's not easy and it's not for everyone. Removing animal proteins and animal fats from the diet, and unblocking the insulin receptors in your system, is key. I have done it and it does work!
Answered By: pwramirez
FLAG
SourcesShow


12/21/11 07:27 AM

With so much information available these days, there are many variants of what is and what is not helpful to a person. I had a three-pronged approach to my juice fast. I used the cleansing fast of the Lemonade cleanse, followed by a modification of my eating habits based on scriptural principles. We were vegan prior to the flood... and vegans built Noah's ark... so I figured I was okay. Then I read Dr. Neal Barnard's book on reversing diabetes and tried the diet option there of reducing fat in my diet (keeping it to 2-3g per serving of any food). My blood sugar evened out, without medicine, and stayed level at about 110. I've been Type 2 for about 10 years, and this is the best my blood sugar has naturally been in a long time. I am no longer on metformin (haven't been for a couple of years), and the weight naturally came off due to the healthier lifestyle. It's not easy and it's not for everyone. Removing animal proteins and animal fats from the diet, and unblocking the insulin receptors in your system, is key. I have done it and it does work!
Answered By: pwramirez
FLAG
SourcesShow


12/21/11 12:13 AM

I am also Type 2, obese and taking insulin and Metformin. At my church we sometimes go on The Daniel Fast. It is fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains. My sugar always stays between 80 and 90 when I am on this fast. It is a biblical fast and we do it for 21 days. You can go to danielfast.com and get recipes and more info. It is a healthy diet for everyone. Good luck and God bless!!!
Answered By: quietcool
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12/20/11 09:45 AM

I'm certainly no expert, but I've been diabetic since 1992. My experience has to do with my own juice fast, of 60 days. I have lost about 45lbs. in that period, and my blood glucose levels have NEVER been better. In fact, I'm never hungry and no longer get spikes after meals. I have included soy butter as a supplement to make my glucose levels stable. I also have a 8oz. glass of juice in the morning made from a combination of grapefruit, pear, apple, lemon and fresh ginger. Ordinarily this would create a spike in my BG... but not now. In my opinion the juice fast was the best thing I have ever done. I feel great, look 100% better, and have finally gotten a handle on both my BG and insulin control. My levels were regularly in the 200-500 level (really!), and are now in the 80-130 range. The key to maintaining the weight after the initial fast is to keep 2 meals a day as fresh veggie juice (leafy greens), along with one sensible VEGGIE meal. I am confident that avoiding all meats and dairy is absolutely crucial to health. I would add that including processed carbs (white sugar, white flour, etc.) not only causes BG spikes but also acts as a "trigger" for binge eating and subsequent failure. Again, I don't want to contradict the experts. However, my experience tells me that even an insulin-dependent diabetic can live normally and with health. Watch the movie "Forks Over Knifes", as well as "Eating". Both are documentaries, and both are eye-opening. Again, it's not about weight loss alone. Rather it's about finding a healthy eating lifestyle you can live with. I feel so good about my eating now that I'm confident I can easily work the veggie/juicing dietary approach into my life. Be well. -Mark
Answered By: barkstar
FLAG
SourcesShow


12/20/11 09:44 AM

I'm certainly no expert, but I've been diabetic since 1992. My experience has to do with my own juice fast, of 60 days. I have lost about 45lbs. in that period, and my blood glucose levels have NEVER been better. In fact, I'm never hungry and no longer get spikes after meals. I have included soy butter as a supplement to make my glucose levels stable. I also have a 8oz. glass of juice in the morning made from a combination of grapefruit, pear, apple, lemon and fresh ginger. Ordinarily this would create a spike in my BG... but not now. In my opinion the juice fast was the best thing I have ever done. I feel great, look 100% better, and have finally gotten a handle on both my BG and insulin control. My levels were regularly in the 200-500 level (really!), and are now in the 80-130 range. The key to maintaining the weight after the initial fast is to keep 2 meals a day as fresh veggie juice (leafy greens), along with one sensible VEGGIE meal. I am confident that avoiding all meats and dairy is absolutely crucial to health. I would add that including processed carbs (white sugar, white flour, etc.) not only causes BG spikes but also acts as a "trigger" for binge eating and subsequent failure. Again, I don't want to contradict the experts. However, my experience tells me that even an insulin-dependent diabetic can live normally and with health. Watch the movie "Forks Over Knifes", as well as "Eating". Both are documentaries, and both are eye-opening. Again, it's not about weight loss alone. Rather it's about finding a healthy eating lifestyle you can live with. I feel so good about my eating now that I'm confident I can easily work the veggie/juicing dietary approach into my life. Be well. -Mark
Answered By: barkstar
FLAG
SourcesShow



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