The down-with-diabetes diet. (Quick Studies).

Nothing can ward off diabetes like exercise and losing excess weight (see "Ducking Diabetes"). But the foods you choose can also affect your risk.

In a study of 42,000 men, the more "Western" their diet (the more red meat, processed meat, french fries, high-fat dairy products, refined grains, sweets, and desserts they ate), the higher their risk of diabetes. A "prudent" diet (high in vegetables, fruit, fish, poultry, and whole grains) wasn't linked to a higher risk.

What to do: Eating a "prudent" diet should also cut your risk of heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. How convenient!

Annals of Internal Medicine 136: 201, 2002.