Diabetic Diet: Nhs Guide To Eating Well

what is the nhs diet for diabetes

The NHS 'soup and shake' diet is a total diet replacement programme aimed at helping people with type 2 diabetes achieve remission. The programme involves consuming 800-900 calories per day in the form of soups, shakes, and bars for the first 12 weeks, followed by a gradual reintroduction of healthy solid foods. Research has shown that this approach can induce weight loss and lower HbA1c levels, leading to diabetes remission in some patients. The NHS plans to expand the programme to reach more people with type 2 diabetes and offer them a potential path to remission.

Characteristics Values
Name NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme
Other Names Soup and Shake Diet, T2DR
Calorie Intake 800-900 kcal per day
Duration 12 weeks (3 months) followed by a healthy maintenance diet
Support 12 months
Results 32% of participants achieved remission of type 2 diabetes at 12 months
Average Weight Loss 16kg
Availability Available to people aged 18-65 with type 2 diabetes and a BMI of over 27 (or over 25 for BAME groups)

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The NHS soup and shake diet

The programme is available to adults aged 18 to 65 who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and have a body mass index (BMI) above a certain threshold. The threshold is set at 27 for white individuals and 25 for those from black, Asian, or other minority ethnic backgrounds. This diet plan is fully funded by the NHS and requires a referral from a GP.

However, it is important to note that not everyone who follows the plan will be able to reverse their diabetes. Sticking to a liquid-only diet can be challenging, and psychological issues with food may not be fully addressed by the programme. Once the programme ends, individuals who return to their previous eating habits may regain weight and experience a return of diabetes symptoms.

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Reversing type 2 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, a condition where blood glucose (sugar) levels rise higher than normal, affects 4.3 million people in the UK. Of all the patients diagnosed with diabetes, more than 90% have Type 2. Type 2 diabetes is caused by problems with insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. In Type 2 diabetes, the cause is either diminished insulin levels or decreased sensitivity to its effects.

The NHS has introduced a Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme, which involves following a low-calorie diet (LCD) with a calorie intake of up to 900 calories or less per day. The programme is based on the DiRECT study, which showed that this approach could help people lose weight, improve their diabetes control, reduce diabetes-related medication, and even achieve remission. The recommended calorie intake for adults is around 2,000kcal per day for active women and 2,500kcal for active men.

The NHS programme has been implemented as a soup and shake diet, which is an example of total diet replacement. This involves replacing typical foodstuffs with easily consumable semi-liquids, designed to include the correct balance of nutrients but restrict energy (calories). The diet is calorie-restricted to 800-900 kcal per day of low-calorie, nutritionally complete, total diet replacement products such as soups, shakes, and bars. After the initial period of total diet replacement, other foods are gradually reintroduced, with the support of coaches for 12 months, to help maintain a healthy maintenance diet.

Research on the effectiveness of the diet to manage diabetes has shown promising results. A study published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal found that almost one in three participants on the NHS scheme permanently eliminated their disease. More than 25,000 people have taken part in the scheme since it was launched in 2020, with participants experiencing major weight loss and type 2 diabetes remission.

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Total diet replacement

The NHS soup and shake diet is an example of total diet replacement, where typical foods are replaced with easily consumable semi-liquids, such as soups, shakes, and bars. These semi-liquids are designed to include the correct balance of nutrients while restricting energy (calories). The diet involves consuming 800-900 kcal per day of these low-calorie, nutritionally complete, total diet replacement products.

Research has shown that total diet replacement plans can effectively induce weight loss and a decrease in HbA1c levels, leading to diabetes remission in some patients. A study published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal found that almost one-third of participants with type 2 diabetes who followed the NHS soup and shake diet achieved remission. The mean weight loss for those who achieved remission was 14.4-15.9 kg.

While total diet replacement can be a successful strategy for some individuals, it is important to note that not everyone who follows the plan will be able to reverse their diabetes. Psychological issues with food, such as emotional eating, may not be fully addressed by the programme. Therefore, if an individual returns to their previous eating habits after completing the programme, they may regain weight and diabetes may return.

Overall, the NHS soup and shake diet, as a form of total diet replacement, has shown promising results in inducing weight loss and achieving remission in type 2 diabetes. However, it is not a guarantee, and long-term success may depend on addressing underlying psychological factors and maintaining healthy eating habits after the programme concludes.

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Remission and relapse

The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is a diet plan that involves consuming 800-900 calories per day in the form of low-calorie, nutritionally complete, total diet replacement products like soups, shakes, and bars. This phase lasts for 12 weeks, after which patients are supported in reintroducing normal food into their diet over the next 9 months. The programme is designed to induce rapid weight loss, which has been shown to help manage and even reverse type 2 diabetes.

The NHS diet has been shown to be effective in putting type 2 diabetes into remission. A study published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal found that almost one-third of participants who completed the programme achieved remission of their type 2 diabetes. This translates to around 32% of the subgroup who completed the programme, amounting to thousands of people.

Remission of type 2 diabetes through the NHS diet is achieved by normalising blood glucose levels without the need for medication. This is done by following a very low-calorie diet that induces weight loss, which in turn improves insulin sensitivity and reduces insulin resistance. The likelihood of achieving remission is greater for those with greater weight loss, those within one year of diagnosis, and those with lower baseline HbA1c values.

However, it is important to note that not everyone who follows the NHS diet plan will be able to reverse their diabetes. Psychological issues with food, such as emotional eating, may not be fully addressed by the programme. If patients return to their previous eating habits after completing the programme, they may regain weight and their diabetes may return. Therefore, it is crucial to address the underlying behavioural and psychological factors that contribute to weight gain and diabetes.

Relapse is a concern for those who have achieved remission of type 2 diabetes through the NHS diet. To maintain remission, it is essential to sustain healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes. This may include continuing to monitor calorie intake, making nutritious food choices, and engaging in regular physical activity. Additionally, ongoing medical supervision and support from healthcare professionals can help identify any early signs of relapse and provide guidance to prevent or manage it effectively.

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Weight loss

The NHS soup and shake diet has been shown to be effective in inducing weight loss. In one study, participants who followed the programme for a year had an average weight loss of 16kg, with some losing up to 17.4kg. The likelihood of achieving remission of type 2 diabetes was found to be greater for those with greater weight loss. This weight loss can lead to major health benefits, including improved diabetes control and reduced diabetes-related medication.

The programme also provides support for maintaining weight loss. After the initial low-calorie diet phase, participants are encouraged to gradually reintroduce healthy solid foods and receive tailored support to maintain their weight loss and manage their diabetes. This support includes bespoke diet and exercise advice sessions, as well as support from their GP.

While the NHS soup and shake diet has been successful in helping some people lose weight and manage their diabetes, it may not be suitable for everyone. Sticking to a liquid-only plan can be challenging, and psychological issues with food may not be fully addressed by the programme. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss programme to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.

Overall, the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme has shown promising results in helping people with type 2 diabetes achieve weight loss and improve their health through a structured diet plan and supportive resources.

Frequently asked questions

The NHS diet for diabetes is a soup and shake diet that involves consuming 800-900 calories per day. It is a total diet replacement plan where regular foods are replaced with low-calorie, nutritionally complete, semi-liquid foods such as soups, shakes, and bars.

The NHS diet for diabetes is suitable for adults aged 18 to 65 who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and have a body mass index (BMI) score above a certain threshold. The threshold is 27 for white individuals and 25 for those from black, Asian, or other minority ethnic groups.

The NHS diet for diabetes involves consuming low-calorie meal replacement products for the first 12 weeks to induce rapid weight loss. After this initial phase, individuals are supported in reintroducing healthy solid foods into their diet and are provided with ongoing support for 12 months to maintain their weight loss and manage their diabetes.

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