National Diabetes Month: 65% Of Americans Open To Preventative Plant-Based Diets

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) conducted a poll revealing that 65% of Americans would be open to adopting low-fat, plant-based diets to help control blood sugar or prevent type 2 diabetes if recommended by their healthcare provider. Despite this willingness, only 21% of surveyed adults were aware of the potential for a low-fat plant-based diet to prevent or improve type 2 diabetes. PCRM emphasized the importance of educating more doctors and dietitians about the benefits of prescribing a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans to their patients.

The poll also showed that 50% of adults falsely believed that a low-carb diet prevents or improves type 2 diabetes, while research actually indicates that low-carb diets based on animal products can increase diabetes risk. PCRM's National Diabetes Program provides free online support for individuals looking to adopt a healthy plant-based diet for diabetes prevention and management, including resources for recipes, guidance from dieticians, and a 15-episode video series on the impact of diet on type 2 diabetes.