According to a new study, this is the best weight-loss diet for diabetics.

According to a new study published in Diabetologia, a journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, if you or someone you know wishes to lose weight or maintain their present weight to assist manage type 2 diabetes, including a low energy diet may be the best option.

Professor Mike Lean, Dr. Chaitong Churuangsuk, and their colleagues at the Universities of Glasgow examined 19 published meta-analyses and concluded that, while results are not always consistent, "very low energy diets and formula meal replacement appear to be the most effective approaches" for those with type 2 diabetes when it comes to weight loss and management. (Calories are referred to as energy.)

Given that unhealthy weight increase is the primary cause of type 2 diabetes, these findings are critical in combating the diabetes epidemic, which the study authors warn about. "Type 2 diabetes will afflict an estimated 629 million people worldwide by 2045 unless there is a concerted international commitment to effective preventative methods," they write.

Type 2 diabetes patients can achieve remission and improvements in the risk factors linked with the disease by decreasing weight through diet techniques, according to a news release on the study.

Adults with diabetes, according to Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD of Balance One Supplements, "may benefit from lowering the quantity of calories they consume at a given moment as a means to minimize sudden and long-term glucose increases."

Vanessa Spina, SNS (Sports Nutrition Specialist), bestselling author of Keto Essentials, and host of the Fast Keto Podcast, explains that a low-energy diet "ensures adequate protein consumption while the energy or 'calories' aspect is reduced." Because type 2 diabetics are dealing with energy toxicity—excess energy from fat and carbohydrate accumulated on the body—the diet's success makes sense. Insulin resistance occurs when the body's ability to store fat and carbohydrates is pushed to its limit. This is why a low-calorie diet works so well."

"If the goal is acute fat loss," Spina added, "a low-energy diet can benefit those who don't have diabetes." While the diets "look to be extreme," the "best method" to adapt a low-energy diet into your lifestyle "would be to perform a protein-sparing, modified fast, which is very low energy and 650-800 calories of lean protein per day."

Alternatively, intermittent fasting "with an 8-hour eating window and a 16-hour fasting window" or using "protein shakes if one wishes to follow a formula-based diet" can be helpful, according to Spina.

Naturally, you should consult your doctor before embarking on a new eating regimen.

Experts recommend avoiding certain eating habits if you don't want to get diabetes.

When it comes to food, we all have our own vices. Some of us may prefer late-night french fries from McDonald's, while others may enjoy a heaping bowl of ice cream with chocolate fudge during at-home movie nights.

Whatever yours is, it's vital to reward yourself from time to time with the things you appreciate. However, it's also vital to keep track of how frequently you indulge in these behaviors, as some of them might lead to health issues if done too frequently.

Type 2 diabetes, for example, is quite widespread in the United States (about 34 million people), and many of the risk factors for acquiring it are linked to your nutrition and overall health. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a family history of heart disease all raise your risk of developing diabetes.

We wanted to learn more about the precise eating patterns that can lead to diabetes, so we spoke with a few specialists to obtain their perspectives. Continue reading to learn more about the eating habits they recommend you monitor, but keep in mind that you don't have to fully give up all of your favorite meals and beverages. Just remember to practice these habits. Then make sure to check out our list of the 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Now.

Getting rid of fiber

One of the most important things you can do for your health is to include enough fiber in your regular diet. Most Americans fall short of the fiber goals specified by the dietary guidelines, according to Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, creator of Nutrition Starring YOU and author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook.

"Fiber helps to manage blood sugar by slowing digestion and keeping you full, so you'll likely require less calories," adds Harris-Pincus. "This can help avoid unnecessary weight gain and lower your risk of diseases like diabetes."

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, you're missing the mark.

Harris-Pincus is concerned that Americans are not receiving enough fruits and vegetables, just as they are not getting enough fiber.

"For example, research has shown that specifically eating strawberries and wild blueberries can have a positive effect on insulin resistance," says Harris-Pincus. "Fruits and vegetables contain fiber, as well as important phytochemicals and antioxidants that can help with insulin resistance, which is the primary cause of elevated blood sugar."

Excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods

Processed foods like chips, packaged baked goods, candy, and fast food, despite their delectability, can swiftly lead to health concerns, including diabetes.

Indeed, according to a 2019 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, increasing your diet of ultra-processed foods by just 10% can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 15%.

There are far too many simple carbs.

"Simple carbs such as white bread, white flour pasta, and breakfast cereals have been linked to blood sugar rises, which can lead to diabetes," explains Renee Kindler, a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.

According to Kindler, simple carbs can rapidly release a large amount of sugar into your circulation, leaving your body to figure out how to respond.

"Your body responds by pumping out more insulin," Kindler explains. "If this happens frequently, your pancreas becomes fatigued and either can't make enough insulin to counteract all the sugar consumed, or your cells become less receptive to insulin (insulin resistance)."

Unfortunately, this can lead to diabetes over time. "In addition to avoiding high-sugar foods, matching natural sugars with high-fiber foods, healthy fats, and protein will help prevent blood sugar rises," Kindler says.

Drinking excessively

In moderation, alcohol is relatively harmless, but one dietician warns that drinking it in excess over time may increase your risk of diabetes.

"Heavy drinking can lead to diabetes because it increases inflammation of the pancreas and other organs," explains Balance One Supplements' Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD. "When the pancreas is persistently inflamed, it is unable to produce enough insulin, which leads to diabetes."

Pre-diabetics, according to Best, should definitely cut back on their alcohol use.