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In the Winter of 2009, I was looking for step-by-step instructions for instituting a “diabetic Mediterranean diet.” Why? I am an internal medicine physician with many type 2 diabetic patients. People with type 2 diabetes are prone to premature heart attacks, strokes, dementia, and death. The traditional Mediterranean diet is associated with lower rates of those illnesses, along with increased lifespan. So a combination “diabetic” and “Mediterranean” diet seems like a great idea.
“Diet” in this context refers to the usual food and drink of a person, not a weight-loss program. Nevertheless, most people with type 2 diabetes are carrying excess weight.
Dietitians know “diabetic diet” and “Mediterranean diet” but can’t necessarily combine the two easily. It’s a new concept within the medical literature. I need educational resources for my patients now, not five years from now.
Do you know of a website, book, or other generally available resource devoted to adaptation of the Mediterranean diet for use by people with type 2 diabetes?
Searching “mediterranean and diabetes” books at Amazon.com got me 170 hits, but nothing pertinent. Googling “Mediterranean diet and diabetes” yielded 201,000 hits. I found nothing pertinent in the first 50 hits.
Since I couldn’t find any readily available resources devoted to a diabetic Mediterranean diet, I decided to investigate on my own whether such a program could and should be devised. The potential benefits to my patients and others are enormous.
Hence, the birth of this blog.
Over the coming months, I will be reviewing the scientific literature that might support a diabetic Mediterranean diet, as well as getting input from dietitians, nutritionists, primary care physicians, endocrinologists, and people with type 2 diabetes. I’ll report my musings, theories, and conclusions here.
Let’s figure this thing out together!
Steve Parker, M.D., April, 2009
Addendum, January 4, 2011
I’ve completed my initial adaptation of the Mediterranean diet for people with diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome. It starts with the Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet, which later morphs into to the Low-Carb Mediterranean Diet. In February, 2011, both diets will be in my next book, Conquer Diabetes and Prediabetes: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Diet. The basic program and much of the book’s text are available free at this blog. The book includes a week of meals, special recipes, 70 supportive scientific references, an index, and detailed information on exercise, diabetes drugs, and hypoglycemia.
Updated January 4, 2011
Diabetic Mediterranean Diet 
Great point and very interesting food for thought. I’m not sure I have any clients I can replicate this with, but will bear in mind for the future. Regards
My husband and I plan to start this diet New Year’s Day. This fits our lifestyle and dietary needs. Thanks for making this available. I’ll keep you posted.
Happy Holidays!
Good to hear from you, Sandy. The Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet derives only 5% of energy intake from carbohydrates. I’m working on 10 and 20% expansions for when for when people have lost the excess weight or get tired of the very low-carb KMD. I’ll post those here when available. A 20% carb diet would have about 100 grams of carbohydrate, still about two-thirds less than the standard American diet that provides 300 g carb.
-Steve
Thank you for commenting on my blog Cooking for Two When One is Type 2. I read The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition articles for my research. They actually have thousands of studies, but in my case, the desire to revisit a taste from my past also drives me in my search. After reading about possible problems with sugarfree sodas, I have been looking for a good occasional alternative to water. I have been following Dr. Bernstein’s advice and recipes in his books with a few changes to accommodate a smaller budget and additional side items for non-diabetic hubby, who prefers more carbohydrates.
Hi, Bonnie. Thanks for dropping by!
[Bonnie’s blog focuses on type 2 diabetes in a household that includes non-diabetics, which applies to most households with diabetics (or “people with diabetes”). Check it ouit at http://www.3fatchicks.com/diet-blogs/cookingfor2when1istype2/.
Nice! It’s so onerous to seek good quality data on the web at this time from educated sources, it is all wannabe’s and reused content material with just a few exceptions. I hope you keep up the nice work and I seemingly be back to learn extra of your posts sooner or later!
Gastric Bypass Results / no surgery
What is the Formula?
A dose in the morning limits available stomach space practically forcing you to eat half as much as before. This is a powerful weapon against obesity. A successful regimen will result in a smaller size stomach (3-6 months), improving eating habits and overcoming cravings.
Great info on the different types of diet for diabetes. As a type 2 diabetes advocate, it’s always refreshing to see how different diets are evolving to make the lives of type 2 diabetes sufferers a lot easier.
Thanks for the in depth info.