A Review: Does the Klinio Diet Plan Work for Diabetics?

The quest for effective and sustainable dietary plans for individuals with diabetes has led to the emergence of various approaches, each claiming unique benefits. One such contender is the Klinio Diet Plan. This comprehensive review will answer what the Klinio diet is, how it works, and a health expert’s experience and opinion.  

Understanding the Klinio Diet

The Klinio Diet Plan is an App/ program (available for iOS and Andriod) created in 2019 to help diabetics manage their blood sugar levels and essentially lose weight. The app can also be used for individuals who are prediabetic, have high cholesterol, and have high blood pressure. 

The Klinio App Includes: 

• Personalized Meal Plans
  • The Klinio diabetes management app provides custom meal plans that address your calorie intake, macronutrient composition, and the necessary sugar and cholesterol amounts.

• Grocery Shopping List
  • The app provides a weekly pre-organized grocery list.
  • The list is a ready-made printable with items that can be found at any local grocery store. 

• No Equipment Beginner Workouts 
  • The program provides at-home, 5 to 15-minute workouts. 

• Tracking Tools
  • It has tracking tools for quickly logging your blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), steps, weight, and medications.
  • In addition, it has a personal weight loss assistant. 

• Klinio Academy
  • The Klinio Academy comprises bountiful information and educational resources on diabetes management. 

Is the Klinio Diet App Legit?

The Klinio App is composed of diabetic experts such as Gary Scheiner, a certified diabetes educator and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services, Diana Isaacs, the head of nutrition, several dieticians, physician assistants, fitness professionals, and clinical psychologists. 

The Validation Institute and Digital Therapeutics Alliance have validated Klinio. 

The Klinio website has 200+ video testimonials and 300 plus Klinio reviews. However, it is important to note that the company owns all of the video testimonials on YouTube. 

The biggest curiosity everyone has is the FOOD! So let’s talk about it.

The Klinio Diet Meal Plan

Once you sign up, you’ll be asked for your personal food preferences, food allergies, and ideal weight. Based on your answers, you’ll be given access to recipes on the Klinio app, a personalized meal plan, and a guide on your caloric intake. 

Although everyone’s meal plan will look a little different, here are the common foundations for the Klinio Diet Plan: 

• Mindful Eating Practices:
  • Diabetes management often involves paying close attention to portion sizes and food choices.
  • The Klinio Diet encourages mindful eating, fostering a heightened awareness of hunger and fullness cues, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes seeking to regulate blood sugar levels.

• Balanced Macronutrients:
  • The Klinio Diet advocates for a balanced intake of macronutrients, including healthy fats and lean proteins.
  • This can help stabilize blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy throughout the day.

• Limiting Refined Carbohydrates:
  • To support blood sugar control, the Klinio Diet suggests minimizing the intake of refined carbohydrates and processed foods.
  • Instead, it promotes the consumption of complex carbohydrates that are slowly digested, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar.

A common question often asked is if the Klinio Diet Plan does the keto diet. Although they believe in low carbohydrates, their meal plans do not suggest a ketogenic diet of high fats and extremely low carbs.

How Does the Klinio Diet Work for Diabetics? 

The Klinio Diet Plan is taking a holistic approach to weight loss and treating diabetes (in which I love and respect.) In other words, there is no magic pill. Instead, you’re managing your diet, engaging in physical activity, and monitoring your blood sugar levels.

How it helps with blood sugar regulation: 

The Klinio Diet plan works by tracking your blood sugar regulation. The emphasis on whole, nutrient-dense foods in the diet may contribute to better blood sugar regulation, reducing the risk of hyperglycemia.

There is a feature on the app that tracks your blood glucose levels, glycated hemogoblin, physical activity, and medication.

How it helps with weight

For individuals with diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight is often crucial. The Klinio Diet’s focus on plant-based, fiber-rich foods can aid in weight management, potentially improving insulin sensitivity. 

The Klinio program encourages exercise. They have a vast library of on-demand, at-home beginner workout videos that range from 5 to 15 minutes. 

How it helps with the heart:

The inclusion of heart-healthy fats and a reduction in refined carbohydrates align with recommendations for cardiovascular health, a significant consideration for those with diabetes who may be at an increased risk of heart disease.

The Cost Breakdown of the Klinio Diet App

1 Month for $ 33.00 USD

3 Months for $ 99.00 USD

6 Months $198.00 USD

This app operates on a subscription model with automatic renewal. You have the flexibility to cancel your subscription at any time, and the auto-renewal feature will be deactivated. However, it’s important to note that if you cancel after, for example, two months of a three-month subscription, you won’t be refunded for the remaining, unutilized month. Cancelling simply means your subscription won’t renew for the next cycle. Please be aware that there is no information available regarding a full refund policy.

The plans include a personalized diet, shopping list, progress tracker, and daily guidance. 

 My Expert Opinion from a Physical Therapist Assistant 

I am 5’2 and I weigh about 140 lbs. I told the app that I would like to weigh 125 lbs. It put me on a 6-month plan. 

What is BMI? 

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a numerical measure of an individual’s body weight in relation to their height. BMI is a widely used tool for categorizing individuals into different weight status categories, helping to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight for their height.

The BMI is calculated using the following formula:

The resulting BMI value is then compared to standard ranges to determine the individual’s weight status:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
• Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
• Obese: BMI 30 or greater

It’s important to note that while BMI is a useful screening tool, it doesn’t directly measure body fat and may not account for variations in muscle mass, bone density, and distribution of fat. For example, I could be overweight from muscle mass.

Therefore, BMI should be interpreted cautiously and used in conjunction with other health assessments for a more comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s health. 

Instead of measuring your BMI, the app should do a fat percentage analysis. 

Daily Calorie Intake

My recommended calorie intake is 1150 – 1300 calories daily. As a health professional, studies show that an average woman should eat 2000 calories per day or limit to 1500 calories if she desires to lose weight. Your calorie intake should be in proportion to your activity level. I clicked on moderate activity throughout the day. 

To test it out, I retook the quiz and clicked not active, it still gave me the same recommended calories. 

Here’s an example of what an 1150 calorie day might look like: 

Breakfast (Approx. 250 calories):

• Scrambled eggs (2 eggs): 140 calories
• Whole-grain toast (1 slice): 70 calories
• Fresh fruit (e.g., a small apple): 40 calories

Lunch (Approx. 350 calories):

• Grilled chicken breast (3 oz): 140 calories
• Quinoa (1/2 cup, cooked): 111 calories
• Mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots) (1 cup): 99 calories

Snack (Approx. 100 calories):

• Greek yogurt (6 oz): 100 calories

Dinner (Approx. 450 calories):

• Baked salmon (4 oz): 240 calories
• Sweet potato (medium-sized, baked): 103 calories
• Steamed green beans (1 cup): 30 calories
• Olive oil for cooking and dressing (1 tablespoon): 120 calories

Total: 1150 calories

Metabolic Age

Metabolic age is a concept often used in the context of health and fitness assessments. It is a way to express how efficiently an individual’s metabolism is functioning in relation to their chronological age. 

Metabolic age is typically calculated based on various factors, including body composition, activity level, and overall metabolic rate.

The idea behind metabolic age is to provide individuals with insights into whether their metabolism is operating at a level typical for their age group or if it is either accelerated or slowed down. 

A metabolic age that is lower than the individual’s chronological age suggests a more efficient metabolism, while a higher metabolic age might indicate potential health concerns or areas for improvement.

The exact calculation of metabolic age can vary depending on the method used, but it often involves assessing factors such as:

• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): BMR represents the number of calories your body needs at rest to maintain basic physiological functions such as breathing and circulation. This is influenced by factors like age, gender, weight, and body composition.

• Body Composition: The percentage of body fat and lean muscle mass is crucial in determining metabolic age. A higher percentage of lean muscle mass is often associated with a more efficient metabolism.

• Activity Level: Physical activity and exercise habits affect metabolic age. Regular exercise can contribute to a more efficient metabolism.

• Dietary Habits: Nutrition and dietary habits also impact metabolic age. Eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining proper hydration are essential for overall metabolic health.

While metabolic age can provide some insight into metabolic efficiency, it’s important to note that this concept is not universally accepted in the scientific community. 

With that said, I’m unsure how Klinio Diet Plan came up with my metabolic age of 46 years old without accessing body composition. It was using BMR with activity level. Although I changed the activity level from moderate to none, the metabolic age didn’t change. 

The Takeaway

The Klionio diet plan is a diabetes management platform. If you are diabetic or prediabetic and find it difficult to track your progress or need a guide, then you would benefit from this app. The Klionio App helps you create healthy habits to create lifestyle changes for the long term. 

It’s essentially telling you things you already know or are aware of, but if you need a reminder or a diabetic tracker, then this is it for you. With that said, you can 100% definitely, do all the same things the app does with some self-discipline. You can go to the American Heart Association for meal guides and plans, make sure you exercise daily, and log your stats in a basic notebook. 

It is crucial for individuals with diabetes to personalize their approach, seeking guidance from healthcare professionals to make informed decisions that support their unique health needs and goals.