Endocrinologist Vitaly Andronov has challenged common misconceptions about diabetes, explaining that patients do not need to eliminate all sugar from their diets.
Speaking in an interview with RT, Andronov said many people mistakenly view a diabetes diagnosis as a restrictive list of prohibitions. He noted that patients often assume sweet foods are completely forbidden and that participating in sports becomes dangerous.
While diabetes requires careful health management, Andronov emphasized that it does not require individuals to abandon their normal routines. He highlighted that attempting to remove all sugar-containing foods immediately after a diagnosis is one of the most frequent mistakes patients make.
Balanced Plate Recommendations
Instead of total restriction, Andronov recommended structuring meals around specific nutritional ratios. He explained that vegetables of various colors should occupy half of every meal plate.
Proteins such as fish, poultry, eggs, legumes, and nuts should make up one quarter of the plate. The remaining quarter should consist of complex carbohydrates and whole-grain items, including oatmeal, buckwheat, and quinoa.
Whole grains and complex carbohydrates digest more slowly than refined sugars, providing a steady release of energy. Endocrinologists specialize in metabolic health and routinely advise incorporating fiber-rich foods to help stabilize blood glucose levels after eating.
Managing Sweets and Honey
Andronov stated that sweets do not need to be permanently removed from a person's diet. He explained that managing carbohydrate intake and overall meal composition is what matters most for patients.
Eating a small dessert directly after a full, balanced meal is a more rational approach than consuming sugary items on an empty stomach, according to Andronov. He added that patients should observe their individual physiological responses alongside checking food ingredients.
The advice follows earlier guidance from dietitian Maryana Dzhutova, who warned that honey is not a universally healthy alternative to sugar. Dzhutova stated that honey should be removed from the diet for individuals with diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, and fatty liver disease.
Insulin resistance occurs when body cells do not respond effectively to insulin, causing glucose to build up in the bloodstream. Fatty liver disease involves excess fat accumulation in liver cells, which often accompanies metabolic disorders and weight management challenges.
