Could switching to a vegetarian diet cure my diabetes?

A vegetarian diet probably won't cure diabetes. But it may offer some benefits over a diet that isn't vegetarian. It may help you better control your weight. It also could lower your risk of some health issues that are related to diabetes. And a vegetarian diet may make your body more responsive to insulin.

There's no single vegetarian eating plan. Some include dairy products or eggs. Others, such as a vegan diet, don't include any animal products. The benefits of a vegetarian eating plan depend on the type of diet you choose. The food choices you make when following a certain diet also make a difference.

For example, even a vegetarian diet can have harmful effects on blood sugar if it is rich in simple carbohydrates. That's especially true if it includes a lot of starches, such as potatoes, pasta, white rice and white bread.

For most people, eating a vegetarian diet:

  • Makes it easier to stay at a healthy weight. Vegetarian diets often are lower in calories than other diets. That can help with weight control. Also, people who eat a vegetarian diet tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) than other people. A healthy body weight can improve blood sugar control. It also may lower the risk of developing other health issues related to diabetes.
  • Improves blood sugar control and insulin response. Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts are all part of a vegetarian diet. Making those food choices can improve blood sugar control and make your body more responsive to insulin. This may mean that you'll need to take less medicine. It also may lower your risk of developing other health issues related to diabetes.
  • Reduces the risk of heart disease. A low-fat vegetarian diet can lower the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Heart disease is a common health issue in people who have diabetes.

If you're thinking about starting a vegetarian diet, it can be helpful to talk with a nutrition specialist first. That specialist can help you make an eating plan that gives you the nutrients and calories you need to meet your goals.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

July 09, 2024 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Medication-free hypertension control
  2. A1C test
  3. Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
  4. Amputation and diabetes
  5. Angiotensin II receptor blockers
  6. Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?
  7. Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar?
  8. Bariatric surgery
  9. Beta blockers
  10. Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain?
  11. Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?
  12. Blood glucose meters
  13. Blood glucose monitors
  14. Blood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?
  15. Blood pressure chart
  16. Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?
  17. Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather?
  18. Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?
  19. Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?
  20. Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home?
  21. Blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons
  22. Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how
  23. Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes
  24. Pancreas transplant animation
  25. Caffeine and hypertension
  26. Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?
  27. Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?
  28. Central-acting agents
  29. Choosing blood pressure medicines
  30. COVID-19: Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?
  31. Diabetes
  32. Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions
  33. Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar
  34. Diabetes and heat
  35. 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications
  36. Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?
  37. Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan
  38. Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar?
  39. Diabetes and liver
  40. Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar
  41. Diabetes symptoms
  42. Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
  43. Using insulin
  44. Diabetic Gastroparesis
  45. Diuretics
  46. Diuretics: A cause of low potassium?
  47. Erectile dysfunction and diabetes
  48. High blood pressure and exercise
  49. Exercise and chronic disease
  50. Fatigue
  51. Free blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?
  52. Frequent urination
  53. Home blood pressure monitoring
  54. Glucose tolerance test
  55. Glycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes?
  56. Hemochromatosis
  57. High blood pressure (hypertension)
  58. High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?
  59. High blood pressure and sex
  60. High blood pressure dangers
  61. What is hypertension? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
  62. Hypertension FAQs
  63. Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?
  64. Insulin and weight gain
  65. Isolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?
  66. Kidney disease FAQs
  67. L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure?
  68. Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes?
  69. Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?
  70. Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure
  71. Pancreas transplant
  72. Picnic Problems: High Sodium
  73. Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?
  74. Reactive hypoglycemia: What can I do?
  75. Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?
  76. Sleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure?
  77. Statins
  78. Stress and high blood pressure
  79. The dawn phenomenon: What can you do?
  80. Unexplained weight loss
  81. Vasodilators
  82. How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor
  83. How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor
  84. What is blood pressure?
  85. Weight Loss Surgery Options
  86. White coat hypertension
  87. Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?