What’s the Right Diet for Diabetes? It’s Not What You Think
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If you’ve ever searched for the best diabetes diet and ended up more confused than when you started, you’re not alone. Between trendy diets, conflicting advice, and endless claims on social media, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this week’s episode of Endocrine Matters, Dr. Arti Thangudu sits down with Dr. Adrian Chavez, PhD — a leading nutrition scientist and host of The Nutrition Science Podcast — to clear the confusion and explore what truly works when it comes to nutrition and diabetes.
Listen to the episode: YouTube, Apple, Spotify
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Diabetes Diet
Dr. Chavez reminds us of something that might seem radical in the world of clickbait headlines: nutrition is personal. While it would be convenient to prescribe a single “diabetes diet,” the truth is, metabolic health is influenced by everything from genetics and physical activity to sleep, stress, and cultural preferences.
The American Diabetes Association agrees. Their 2019 consensus report emphasizes that “a one-size-fits-all eating plan is not evident” for preventing or managing diabetes. Instead, individualized medical nutrition therapy — tailored to a person’s lifestyle, cultural background, and goals — leads to better blood sugar control and quality of life.
The Danger of Nutrition Misinformation
We’ve all seen it: influencers selling detox teas, promoting low-carb as the only way, or villainizing specific foods. The nutrition space is full of noise. Dr. Chavez, whose career is rooted in evidence-based practice, highlights how harmful misinformation can derail progress and make patients feel like they’re failing — even when they’re doing everything “right.”
Instead of perfection, the focus should be progress. What matters is consistency, context, and finding a sustainable way to eat that works for you — physically, emotionally, and socially.
Your A1C Is Not a Moral Report Card
So many people — especially high-achieving professionals — internalize their lab numbers, like A1C, as a reflection of their worth. But your A1C is a tool, not a verdict. It’s a test that measures average glucose levels over 2–3 months — helpful, but not the whole picture. What’s more important is how you feel, function, and sustain healthy habits.
A Better Way Forward
Dr. Thangudu and Dr. Chavez agree: when nutrition is done right, it becomes empowering. Evidence-based dietary guidance, combined with compassionate care and personalization, can transform outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes.
And yes, eating organic food may offer benefits, but it’s not a requirement for better glucose control. What matters most is building an eating pattern you can actually live with — not one that feels like punishment.
🎧 Listen and Learn
Follow Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: @dr.adrian.chavez
Subscribe to The Nutrition Science Podcast
Learn more about personalized diabetes care at sacomplete.com
FAQ
What is the best diet to lower A1C for type 2 diabetes?
There isn’t one universal answer. The most effective diets focus on whole foods, consistency, blood sugar control, and what works for your preferences and lifestyle.
Do I need to eat organic to manage diabetes?
No. Organic foods are optional. What’s more important is the overall nutrient quality and consistency of your meals.
Is A1C the only marker I should track?
No. A1C is helpful, but so is how you feel day-to-day, your time-in-range (if using CGM), energy levels, and more.
Ready to ditch the diet myths and build a plan that actually works for you? Book a consult with our expert endocrinology team.