One Meal Daily May Be Better Option for People With Diabetes

While most nutritional experts say that eating three meals a day is important to maintaining a steady metabolism, a new study suggests that one meal a day may be a better option for those with diabetes.

he study from Sweden found that those who ate one meal a day based on a Mediterranean diet plan saw better health results than those who ate three low-fat or low-carb meals a day.

The Mediterranean diet focuses on fish, whole grains, nuts, fruits and veggies, legumes and herbs, and is considered to be among the healthiest of diet options by nutritionists worldwide, and research has shown that it reduces the risk of heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Researchers at Sweden’s Linköping University studied the effects of three diet plans on the blood glucose and cholesterol levels of those with diabetes. The plans included a three-meal low-fat diet, a three-meal low-carb diet, and a one-meal Mediterranean diet, featuring a single large lunch that included a glass of red wine.

“We found that the low-carbohydrate diet increased blood glucose levels much less than the low-fat diet but that levels of triglycerides tended to be high compared to the low-fat diet,” the researchers wrote. “It is very interesting that the Mediterranean diet, without breakfast and with a massive lunch with wine, did not induce higher blood glucose levels than the low-fat diet lunch, despite such a large single meal.”

The study featured 21 patients with type 2 diabetes, each of whom tried all three diets in varying order. The subjects’ blood was tested as six times throughout the day.

The researchers say their findings could inspire medical professionals to consider new preventative measures again diabetes, which currently impacts about 26 million Americans.

And it could mean the end to breakfast as the most important meal of the day, at least for those with diabetes.

“It suggests that it is favorable to have a large meal instead of several smaller meals when you have diabetes, ” said co-author Fredrik Nyström, adding that traditionally, the Mediterranean diet plan included forgoing breakfast. “Our results give reason to reconsider both nutritional composition and meal arrangements for patients with diabetes.”

The study appeared in the journal PLoS ONE.