Decreasing sugar intake may play a role in balancing this delicate see-saw when it comes to weight loss and diabetes management.

“Sugar, high-glycemic food, and processed foods feed bad bacteria,” Lund says. “So you have to eat to balance your gut flora.”

One of the best ways to do this is by consuming yogurt to help in the process.

“The bacteria in yogurt is the kind of bacteria that the thin mice were found to have,” Lund says. “Just make sure not to buy yogurt that is loaded with sugar. I recommend So Delicious yogurt to clients. The coconut flavor is a tasty option that has these cultures.”

Making kefir is another way to balance gut flora. Lund has examples of clients who have started to lose weight upon application of this concept.

“I have one client who couldn’t get his blood sugar down with insulin and medication,” Lund says. “I told him to start eating yogurt in addition to his regular routine. Instead, he started making kefir. Within a week, his fasting blood sugar level had dropped from 110 or 115 down to the 80s. After two weeks, he started losing weight and now continues to keep losing.”

3.    Drink a lot of water.

When you have diabetes, it’s essential to “rethink your drink.” This means that sugary liquids need to be replaced with other options, one being good old H20.

In addition, water is needed to help combat dry skin associated with diabetes, and it helps to flush toxins out of the system.