Dietary modifications play a central role in the treatment of diabetes. Educating and empowering individuals to make better dietary choices is a challenging task. In this context, 1 potential dietetic approach to achieve better glycemic control in type 2 diabetes is often overlooked: the use of short-term dietary oatmeal interventions. This concept was described more than 100 years ago by the German diabetologist Carl von Noorden. It is still applied in several German hospitals, but in a modified form. Although von Noorden initially prescribed a diet including oatmeal, butter and vegetables, some physicians nowadays tend to omit butter from the diet. The result is a hypocaloric, plant-based dietary intervention that is low in fat and excludes animal protein for a short period. This short-term dietary intervention has been associated with a significant reduction in mean blood glucose concentrations and an improved insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Almost forgotten, short-term dietary oatmeal interventions are an economical, yet highly effective tool to achieve better glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Keywords: beta glucan; bêta-glucane; diabetes care; dietary pattern; flocons d’avoine; glycemic control; intervention à court terme; maîtrise de la glycémie; oatmeal; régime alimentaire; short-term intervention; soins du diabète.
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