Healing Foods

The Ultimate Anti-Diabetes Diet

This cutting-edge eating plan reverses diabetes, wards off heart disease and cancer, and helps you lose weight (without counting calories or cutting portions)
the ultimate anti-diabetes diet

One of America’s most common killer diseases, type 2 diabetes jeopardizes the health, quality of life, and longevity of nearly 24 million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association, and that number continues to rise. New cases have doubled over the past 30 years, and because the disease occurs gradually and often with no obvious symptoms, many people don’t even know they have it. People who are overweight are at higher risk because fat interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin, the crux of the disease. But a solution to the problem is within reach: a groundbreaking eating plan not only helps prevent this chronic disease, but actually reverses it while also promoting weight loss.

Focusing on plant-based meals,the revolutionary plan was developed by Vegetarian Times’ own Ask the Doc columnist, Neal Barnard, MD, and is backed by the results of his long-term study. Your doctor may not tell you about this diet: dietitians generally counsel overweight diabetics to cut calories, reduce serving sizes, and avoid starchy carbohydrates that raise blood sugar levels. But Barnard’s team at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and scientists at George Washington University and the University of Toronto thought this might be the wrong approach, considering that carbohydrate-rich rice, legumes, and root vegetables are staples throughout Asia and Africa, where most people are thin and diabetes rates are low.

Barnard and his team studied a group of diabetics, comparing the effects of a diet based on standard recommendations versus a vegan-style diet with no limits on calories, carbs, or portions, and just three rules: eliminate meat, dairy, and eggs; minimize fat and oil; and favor low-glycemic foods (such as beans, vegetables, brown rice, and oatmeal), which have little effect on blood sugar. After 22 weeks, participants on the vegan plan experienced average blood sugar drops three times that of subjects on the standard diet. Researchers found that the vegan plan led to better blood sugar control, and reductions in cholesterol and body weight too.

Better still, study results show that Barnard’s plan also helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. So, even if diabetes and weight loss are not your primary concerns, there are plenty of other health reasons to give this eating strategy a try.

Here, we’ve created a week’s worth of menus and recipes that follow Barnard’s plan, making it deliciously doable for anyone.

The Plan
Unlike others, this eating plan has no calorie or portion requirements (hooray!), but the following seven-day menu can be used as a guideline.

Day 1
breakfast: Oatmeal with soymilk, cinnamon, and raisins
lunch: Hummus and veggie wrap with fresh fruit salad
dinner: Pasta with marinara sauce and plenty of vegetables

Day 2
breakfast: Southwestern Tofu Scramble with whole-wheat pita
lunch: Hearty vegetable soup with whole-grain crackers
dinner: Vegetarian chili with brown rice and tossed salad

Day 3
breakfast: Melon with whole-grain toast (unbuttered)
lunch: Bean burrito with salsa, veggies, and vegan sour cream
dinner: Grilled Ratatouille Salad with whole-wheat couscous

Day 4
breakfast: Whole-grain pancakes or waffles with fresh fruit
lunch: Grilled veggie sandwich with fat-free coleslaw
dinner: Spiced Kabocha Squash Soup, tossed salad, and pita crisps

Day 5
breakfast: Cereal with soymilk and sliced apples
lunch: Carrot or tomato soup with rye toast (unbuttered)
dinner: Spaghetti with Spinach and Mushrooms

Day 6
breakfast: Whole-grain cereal, such as muesli, with soymilk
lunch: Couscous with Asparagus, Snow Peas, and Radishes
dinner: Sloppy Joes made with soy crumbles

Day 7
breakfast: Fruit smoothie
lunch: Bulgur wheat salad with chickpeas and veggies
dinner: Asparagus and mushroom risotto and tossed salad

anytime snacks: Fruit, whole-grain crackers or pretzels with hummus, baked corn chips, edamame, Fruit Salad with Vanilla-Apple Syrup

get the recipes

Spiced Kabocha Squash Soup

Spiced Kabocha Squash Soup

Not Yet Rated

Kabocha squash is a vitamin-rich alternative to potatoes in this creamy soup that can be served hot or cold.

Southwestern Tofu Scramble

Southwestern Tofu Scramble

Ground turmeric gives this egg-free scramble a golden hue. Leftovers (if any) make a great sandwich filling.

Grilled Ratatouille Salad

Grilled Ratatouille Salad

Not Yet Rated

Reducing balsamic vinegar to a thick syrup gives this dish rich, complex flavor without added fat or calories. For a more filling meal, toss these grilled veggies with whole-wheat pasta.

Spaghetti with Spinach and Mushrooms

Spaghetti with Spinach and Mushrooms


Couscous with Asparagus, Snow Peas and Radishes

Couscous with Asparagus, Snow Peas and Radishes


Fruit Salad with Vanilla-Apple Syrup

Fruit Salad with Vanilla-Apple Syrup

The syrup used in this salad is a wonderful all-purpose sweetener for plain yogurt, iced tea and cocktails.


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How do I find more info on this diet plan? Is there a book? Would like to know how to create my own meal plans. Ty!

Linette Holm - 2015-04-12 21:43:03

There is a good amount of literature in medical and nutrition journals demonstrating that very low fat vegan diets reverse type II diabetes and improve control of type I diabetes. However, vegetarian diets may have a high fat content, and this is true for south Indian diets which rely on coconut fat and ghee, as well as American vegetarian diets which emphasize cheese, butter, egg yolk, sauteed and fried foods, and other unhealthy high fat foods.

lisa andrews - 2015-03-29 18:58:39

Also may I add that there are flaws with dr. barnard's studies, India for instance especially south india has the highest rates of diabetes in the world and many folks are vegetarians, even those who aren't, love vegetarian food because it tastes delicious. Perhaps, its genetics, lack of exercise,etc but touting diets to reverse it is disingenuous. Also although many indians eat dairy, many are lactose intolerant, so dairy types may be more limited. Also dairy products are not a staple cuisine, like in western countries, cheese is usually just limited to paneer and many vegetarian indian restaurants do not focus on it, compared to many European countries where cheese is a big thing.

Morgan - 2015-02-10 10:46:04

I think the veg times is being disingenuous by claiming that this diet will "reverse diabetes", that's a false claim, regardless of religious beliefs or dietary preference, one does a disservice to themselves by claiming that a diet can reverse a disease that has multiple causes and management challenges, especially a diet high in carbs. It's no surprise that neal barnard's name is mention. I'm sure he is a decent person, but one should cite unscientific claims and get into hot water like other doctors such as dr. mercola.

Morgan - 2015-02-10 10:41:17

Patricia, your father is the type of diabetic who has little movement when he eats. If a food does not have protein, it has carbs and visa versa. A few things that would help are low fat nut butters. They comd in Almond, pistachio, cashew, etc. Two tablespoons is usually about 100 C full of protein if you buy no salt, no sugar variety. You can add your own salt and sweetener. Substitute vegetables for pasta. Eggplant parmesean with no pasta. Lasagana can be made the same way. If you don't want to cook and are tired of salads, try soups or make your own avacado or chick pea dip with pita chips. You can get a shredder and make your own coleslaw with tofo dressing in a snap or roll the cabbage in a tortilla and brown it on the stove. Just remember to cut the cabbage the night before and soak in your dressing. That way it cooks up very quickly. There are some south american fruits and veges that are full of protein. Just look them up online. GOOD LUCK and take care.

Gayle - 2014-12-31 13:05:32

I agree with Rayca. If I had eaten this when I had gestational diabetes I would've had big problems.

Trixie - 2014-12-22 02:21:14

Nothin but carbs. These would spike my blood sugar. Hummus veggie wrap doesn't even tell you what to use as wrap.

Rayca - 2014-12-04 21:25:48

I wonder if you couldn't help; my father has type 2 diabetes. however he is 5'7, and weighs 178 lbs. He is on a restricted, low salt, low sugar, low potassium, low carb diet, and , only allowed 24 ozs. of liquids per day. Now, he is only allowed 2oz. of meat a day.Also, he needs a calorie intake of 1800 calories a day. Can you offer some advice on recipes or information on where to look?

Patricia Tabraham - 2014-11-04 22:45:16

All I know is that since going vegetarian 3 weeks ago my FBS has been under 90! Crazy

Lisa - 2014-09-28 12:56:26

Eat little and live bigger and longer. Think that what you consume in energy from the planet needs to be repaid. If you ration yourself you will live longer and be healthier, ensuring a better quality of life. Short fasts, vegetarianism and periodic detoxing is the way.

ron - 2014-08-20 20:44:50

Please send me recipe for Masa Harina Cheese Dough. Thank you.

P.A. Jasek - 2014-06-25 19:42:40

I am now using tahini in place of mayo and butter. Yum - I find I need to eat more often as a vegetarian. No dairy for me but do eat eggs. Only been veggie for two weeks. I need a diet plan for vegetarian with 4 to 5 smaller meals - any suggestions?

Cathy - 2014-01-18 07:23:00

Unbuttered toast is disgusting. Rather have nothing.

Karpy - 2014-01-12 23:40:52

Isn't there a way to follow a vegetarian plan for diabetes & weight loss that doesn't require a major commitment to reading, following and shopping for recipes & cooking three times a day for 7 day a week?

Linda - 2013-08-21 05:58:51

very useful

raj pathak - 2013-07-21 22:16:55