People with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes are often prescribed a myriad of drugs to manage the condition’s symptoms, which often include high blood pressure. Regularly keeping track of what’s what, when it’s time for a pill, and how much to take can take its toll on the quality of life. But new research reiterates that a healthy diet and weight loss has the potential to turn all that around.

Individuals with diabetes in the DIRECT study in Scotland who lost a significant amount of weight also lowered their blood pressure, and many of them were able to stop taking medication altogether, according to a May 2021 report. DIRECT is a research study investigating whether offering an intensive program for weight loss and weight loss maintenance would be advantageous for people with Type 2 diabetes, according to its website.

“Many of the patients were able to safely stop taking their diabetes medications as well as their blood pressure medications when their blood sugar and blood pressure numbers dropped towards normal,” said Dr. Gabe Mirkin in a recent blog post. Mirkin, a fitness guru, longtime radio host and sports medicine doctor with more than 50 years of practice, added that 80% of those who maintained their weight loss were able to stop all of their diabetic medications for the full two-year study period.

That’s great news for people with Type 2 diabetes because it means that eating better and losing weight has the potential to reduce dependency on medication.

“Realize that these drugs are used to control your condition, not to cure it,” Mirkin wrote. “You can often get rid of both Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure with major lifestyle changes.”

If you’re not sure where to start, Diet-to-Go has a plan just for you. Diet-to-Go’s Balance-Diabetes meal plan follows the American Diabetes Association’s guidelines for proper, balanced nutrition for people with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Like all of our plans, it takes the guesswork out of healthy eating by delivering chef-crafted, portion-controlled meals right to customers’ doors anywhere in the continental U.S.

The Balance-Diabetes plan is specifically designed to help you lose weight, manage pre-diabetes and prevent Type 2 diabetes. Plus, each chef-crafted meal is prepared with wholesome, locally sourced ingredients to ensure the highest quality taste.