The Mediterranean diet may help people with type 2 diabetes stay off blood sugar-lowering medications, lose weight and lower cardiovascular risk factors. A study found 70 percent of people with type 2 diabetes following a low-fat diet eventually needed diabetes medications and just 44 percent of those following the Mediterranean diet needed diabetes medications.
 
The Mediterranean diet is high in plant foods, such as fruits, nuts, legumes, cereals and fish, and olive oils as the primary source of monounsaturated fat. The diet includes low to moderate intake of wine and low intake of red meat and poultry.  

This article originally appeared in the November 2009 issue of AAKP Diet Tips & Bits.