Week of January 30, 2012: Fast Foods, Special Occasions, & Diabetes

 

What Does Science Say About Fast Foods, Special Occasions, And Diabetes?

While the explosion of diabetes in the past decade in America cannot be solely linked to the fast food mega-meals (Super-Size Me), there is evidence that links the Western-style diet, including fast food --- to type 2 diabetes incidence.  In the study, the western diet is described as embracing red meat, desserts, high-fat dairy products and processed foods --- a definition that includes the classic “junk foods” like hamburgers, doughnuts, French fries, fried chicken, pies, cakes, ice cream, and potato chips/snack foods; coincidentally, these are the types of foods most often consumed on special occasions and major holidays.  The implications of the study were that to decrease their chances of getting type 2 diabetes, people shouldincrease their intake of vegetables, fruits, fish, and poultry, and limit intake of red meat, processed meat, high-fatdairy foods, refined grains, and sweets.  Plain and simple, fast foods and holiday foods tend to be high in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium --- three items that all diabetics need to minimize in their meal plans.

 

Why Should I Be Concerned About Fast Foods & Special Occasion Foods?

Make no mistake --- the hard facts show us that regular consumption of the “Western-style diet” puts us at greater risk of developing diabetes as well as contributing to long-term complications if we already have it.  And while all of the scientific data is critical, it must also be kept in a common-sense perspective.  For special occasions such as birthdays and major holidays --- events that may occur on one or two times per month on average --- having a small serving (3 oz.) of a fast food or holiday food will not ruin your diabetes management program, but the portion or serving size must be kept small and managed within your overall meal plan.    If you are going to have a piece of cake or pie over the holidays or at a company party, you simply need to plan ahead with your meal plan and medications.  Having diabetes no longer means that you can “never” have fast foods or holiday foods, but it does mean you have to do so with greater planning than ever before.  And rather than eating a treat as a single item, make sure you combine it into a full meal occasion whenever possible.  Additionally, on those days where you do include special foods or treats, try to get some additional physical exercise as well.

 

Fast Foods & Diabetes Information Resources

·         van Dam et al, Dietary Patterns and Risk forType2 Diabetes Mellitus in U.S. Men, February 5, 2002, Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 136, Issue 3, pp.201-209)

·          M A Pereira et al, Fast-food habits, weight gain, and insulin resistance (the CARDIA study): 15-year prospective analysis. Lancet 2005; 365: 36-42.

·         www.diabetes-and-diet.com (especially good for kids with diabetes)