Managing both diabetes and high cholesterol through diet is very doable — and many of the same food choices help with both! High cholesterol is a common comorbidity of diabetes, so it's great to tackle them together.
Here are some dietary approaches that can help:
- Mediterranean diet — focuses on plant-based foods, whole Show Full Answer
Managing both diabetes and high cholesterol through diet is very doable — and many of the same food choices help with both! High cholesterol is a common comorbidity of diabetes, so it's great to tackle them together.
Here are some dietary approaches that can help:
- Mediterranean diet — focuses on plant-based foods, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, and fish, while limiting red meat and processed foods
- Low-carb or very-low-carb diet — reduces blood sugar spikes and can improve cholesterol levels
- DASH diet — emphasizes whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy
- Plant-based or vegan diet — can help manage blood sugar and support heart health Across all these approaches, some key principles stand out:
- Choose healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
- Include omega-3 rich foods to reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity
- Limit saturated fats, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates
- Load up on fiber-rich foods like vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fruits
One DiabetesTeam member shared that sticking to a low-carb diet improved their cholesterol so much that their doctor decided to hold off on prescribing cholesterol medication entirely!
Always check with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making big dietary changes, especially if you're on medications, to avoid any unwanted interactions.
June 9
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Join
Your Privacy Choices
