Diabetes: Two meals a day better than six

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MunichA normal weight and a well-adjusted sugar level are the be-all and end-all for diabetics. When it comes to nutrition, the common recommendation is to eat six small meals a day to keep the sugar level and weight in check. A study by Czech researchers now shows that this is apparently easier with two large meals.

Two variants in comparison

A research team led by Hana Kahleová from the Diabetes Center in Prague recruited 54 type 2 diabetes patients between the ages of 30 and 70 for the study. Everyone should try two different types of diets for twelve weeks each. One nutritional program consisted of six reduced-calorie smaller meals a day and the other two large servings a day - one in the morning and one at noon. The total number of calories per day was the same for both diets: 500 kilocalories less than the recommended total calorie requirement per day, which is around 1,300 kilocalories for women and 1,900 for men. In addition to the weight and blood sugar level, the scientists determined the fat content of the liver as well as insulin sensitivity and the function of the insulin-producing cells of all participants.

Few meals, big effect

The result showed that if the participants ate two large meals a day, they lost an average of 3.7 kilos within the three months. They lost 1.4 kilos more than if they ate six smaller portions a day (weight loss of 2.3 kilos). In addition, two large meals a day reduced fasting blood sugar and the amount of C-peptides. This is a hormone that, like insulin, is produced in the pancreas and regulates the sugar metabolism. In addition, insulin sensitivity increased with fewer meals.

"The evaluations suggest that a strict diet with two meals a day has a more positive impact on the health of type 2 diabetics than six smaller servings," the researchers explain. Further investigations should now support the results.

Around six million people in Germany suffer from diabetes - 90 percent of them from type 2 diabetes. The main risk factors include genetic predispositions, obesity, an unhealthy diet and too little physical activity. (jb)

Source: Belinova L. et al. Eating two larger meals a day (breakfast and lunch) is more effective than six smaller meals in a reduced-energy regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized crossover study.

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