People with diabetes have tremendous power to determine the course of their condition. Through long-term adherence to a healthy diet and regular exercise, those with pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, and those who already have type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of correlated conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and obesity. Following this diet may also help people who use diabetes-managing medications to avoid their most common and dangerous side effect: hypoglycemia.

The overarching goals of this diet are to optimize blood glucose control and prevent the many chronic health conditions associated with diabetes. These goals are met through choosing high quality carbohydrates with plenty of fiber, getting anti-inflammatory antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, and including foods with anti-inflammatory fats like nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fish. In addition, avoiding sugary and refined foods that cause rapid fluctuations in blood glucose levels, and limiting processed foods and animal foods that contribute to chronic inflammation, are steps that help people with diabetes reach their larger goals.