Just Read: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2020: New Year, A Little Less Cognitive Dissonance

Just Read: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2020: New Year, A Little Less (but still some) Cognitive Dissonance
“People with diabetes and those at risk are advised to replace sugar-sweetened beverages (including fruit juices) with water as much as possible in order to control glycemia and weight and reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and fatty liver B and should minimize the consumption of foods with added sugar that have the capacity to displace healthier, more nutrient-dense food choices.”

Like many others who have commented on the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2020, I appreciate a more science-based approach present this year than in years past. Specifically, the Standards now accommodate carbohydrate restriction as a viable option, and even promote it as the one with the most evidence.

“Reducing overall carbohydrate intake for individuals with diabetes has demonstrated the most evidence for improving glycemia and may be applied in a variety of eating patterns that meet individual needs and preferences.”

Facilitating Behavior Change and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2020 Jan 20 [cited 2019 Dec 20];43(Supplement 1):S48–65.

A walk through the grocery store still demonstrates room for improvement, as can be seen in the image above. The American Heart Association still certifies 100% fruit juice as heart healthy.

They regularly update their list of certified foods, which you can find here on their website. In support of their work, I notice that they’ve made some heart-healthy changes.

These items are no longer heart check certified, even though the seal is still on the packaging in the store.

2019.12.25 Foods with AHA Seal, Washington, DC USA 359 14012
2019.08.09 Sugar Sweetened Cereals with AHA Seal, Washington, DC USA 221 10012
2019.08.09 Sugar Sweetened Cereals with AHA Seal, Washington, DC USA 221 10020

These items are still heart check certified. You be the judge.

2019.12.25 Foods with AHA Seal, Washington, DC USA 359 14019
2019.12.25 Foods with AHA Seal, Washington, DC USA 359 14024

Additional photos – click to enlarge

References

  1. Facilitating Behavior Change and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2020 Jan 20 [cited 2019 Dec 20];43(Supplement 1):S48–65. Available from: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/lookup/doi/10.2337/dc20-S005
Ted Eytan, MD