Diabetes may play a role in your weight, including weight loss, when you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This can be a symptom of unmanaged or undiagnosed diabetes, but it can also be due to other health conditions.

Your weight can affect diabetes, but diabetes can also affect your weight. This may depend on the type of diabetes that you have — type 1 or type 2.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes high blood glucose (sugar). With diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough of a hormone called insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make. Insulin controls the levels of glucose in the blood after you eat a meal.

People with type 1 diabetes may lose weight unintentionally since they can’t use the sugar they eat for energy. In this case, the pancreas doesn’t make insulin, and sugar is removed from the body when you pee.

Excess weight increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 have insulin resistance. This means that the pancreas can typically still make insulin, but the body can’t use it properly. The pancreas tries to compensate by making more insulin, but it eventually wears out.

Weight loss, via methods like diet changes, exercise, and certain medications, can be an important way to help respond to insulin resistance and treat type 2 diabetes and, in some instances, type 1.

Unexpected or unintended weight loss is often a symptom of unmanaged diabetes for both type 1 and type 2.

With type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks cells of the pancreas that make insulin. Since there’s no insulin available to move glucose into the body’s cells, glucose builds up in the bloodstream. The kidneys then work to remove this unused sugar through urination. The sugar isn’t used as energy, so the body starts burning fat and muscle for energy, resulting in weight loss.

Weight loss in type 1 diabetes may be unintentional. If people with type 1 diabetes need to lose weight, they can do this safely by reducing calorie intake. Some people may undertreat their diabetes to lose weight, but this is highly dangerous.

Skipping insulin can lead to very high blood sugar levels, a serious complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis, and potentially death.

Undertreating diabetes to lose weight can be a symptom of an eating disorder. If you think you have an eating disorder, reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional for specialized support and treatment.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, causing sugar to build up in the blood.

Having overweight or living with obesity puts you at a much higher risk for developing diabetes, and it makes blood sugar levels more difficult to manage.

There are many benefits to losing weight when you have type 2 diabetes. These include:

  • decreased insulin resistance, which makes it easier to reach target blood sugar levels
  • improvements in overall energy level and mood
  • improvements in mobility
  • lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (known as the “bad” type)
  • lower chance of developing complications from diabetes, like kidney or heart disease

In some cases, weight loss can even restore blood sugar to a regular level and eliminate the need to take type 2 diabetes medications.

If you have type 1 diabetes, weight gain may occur once you start taking insulin. Losing weight may require fine-tuning your calorie and carbohydrate intake and insulin dose.

People with type 1 diabetes can also develop insulin resistance, and in that situation, would benefit from weight loss to help them need less insulin.

Certain medications to help treat diabetes also help with weight loss, including:

Adjusting medications for weight loss

As you lose weight, you may need less medication to keep your blood sugar in the target range. This can cause some people to develop low blood sugar.

If you notice this happening during your weight loss journey, talk with a medical professional to adjust your diabetes medications.

If you have diabetes and wish to lose weight, combining a balanced diet with physical activity is likely the best strategy. Even small changes to your diet can go a long way.

Generally, it’s best to aim for a diet high in nonstarchy vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.

Consider your eating habits

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends using the Diabetes Plate Method when preparing meals.

For this method, use a plate approximately 9 inches in width and follow these three simple steps:

  • Fill half the plate with nonstarchy vegetables: Nonstarchy vegetables are lower in carbohydrates and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. If you don’t have access to fresh vegetables, canned or frozen vegetables work just fine. Examples include:
  • Fill one-quarter of the plate with lean protein: Examples of lean protein include:
  • Fill the other quarter with carbohydrate: Example carbs include:

For drinks, consider calorie-free drinks, water, or unsweetened tea whenever possible.

Avoid snacking on high sugar, high fat, or heavily processed foods, like:

  • candy
  • cookies
  • cakes
  • fast food
  • fried foods

Establish an exercise routine

Exercise, along with eating changes, is also important for weight loss. Always talk with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Start by setting modest goals. You can begin by walking either outside or on a treadmill for 10 to 20 minutes each day. After a week or so, increase the time or the speed you’re walking.

Research shows that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes each week is enough to significantly improve blood sugar and help people lose weight.

Aerobic exercise includes activities like:

  • walking
  • running
  • swimming
  • dancing
  • hiking
  • playing tennis

To help motivate you, you can join a gym, a group fitness class, or exercise with a friend.

Weight loss can be an unintended symptom of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes or possibly unmanaged type 1.

Your healthcare team can best determine what may be involved with weight loss, especially if it’s tied to already-diagnosed diabetes.

Weight loss may help decrease insulin resistance and make blood sugar easier to manage.

If you have type 2 diabetes and are trying to lose weight, the best approach is to set realistic weight-loss goals and aim for moderation. You can try eating a more balanced diet, including more physical activity in your daily routine, and making sure you take all prescribed medications.

If you’re still concerned with your weight, don’t hesitate to talk with a medical professional.