Can a vegan diet support weight loss and better blood sugar control for people with type 1 diabetes — even if it includes white bread or juice? According to new research, the answer is yes.
A clinical trial from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, found that adults with type 1 diabetes who switched from animal products to plant-based foods lost an average of 11 pounds over 12 weeks. That’s compared to no significant change in weight for those following a portion-controlled diet.
But here’s the kicker: the benefits held up even when the plant-based choices weren’t what most of us would consider “ideal.”
The researchers used three different plant-based diet scoring systems, including one that accounts for so-called unhealthful plant foods like white bread, fruit juice and sweets. While those items are usually frowned upon in nutrition circles, this study found that simply moving away from animal-based foods, even toward less-than-perfect plant foods, was enough to shift weight in the right direction.
Participants eating vegan also saw improvements in insulin sensitivity, cholesterol, kidney function and daily insulin needs. And importantly, they didn’t have to count calories or restrict carbs to get those results.
Why it matters: This study offers hope for people with type 1 diabetes who want to lose weight without obsessing over every bite. It also challenges the idea that all plant-based foods must be squeaky-clean to be effective.
As lead researcher Dr. Hana Kahleova put it: "Whether you have an orange and oatmeal for breakfast or orange juice and toasted white bread, either option is a better choice for weight loss than eggs and cottage cheese.”
Explore the full study in Frontiers in Nutrition here.
This study was supported by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.