Low Carb for Glucose Control?
| Author: Janine Freeman, RD,LD,CDE |
| Last Updated: Monday, January 14, 2008 |
Q: "Since carbs turn to sugar, why shouldn’t people with diabetes eat a low carb diet to keep their blood sugar from increasing so much after meals?”
A: That's a very good question. Since foods containing carbohydrate convert to glucose and raise after-meal glucose levels, it seems logical to go the low-carb route.
It's true that a breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon would likely have less effect on your blood glucose after the meal than a bowl of cereal with a banana.
But, let's step back and look at the bigger picture.
Severely restricting carbohydrates means giving up foods that are major sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients, all of which have been shown to help lower the risk of many chronic diseases. Vitamin and mineral supplements cannot take the place of all the nutrients you get in whole foods. Severely restricting carbohydrate foods and replacing them with foods that contain fat and protein has not been shown to improve overall blood glucose control. In fact, this approach may increase your risk of heart disease.
Here are several ways you can include carbs and still maintain blood glucose control:
- Choose whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods. Research has shown that these foods have less effect on after-meal blood glucose levels than many highly processed foods. These are the same foods that the U.S. Dietary Guidelines have recommended for everyone to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Choosing these foods more often will not only give you plenty of nutrients, but may improve your blood glucose levels.
- Space foods containing carbohydrate throughout the day with at least three or four meals and/or snacks, depending on the amount of time between meals and the type of diabetes medications you are taking. The amount of carbohydrate you need is based on a number of factors, but in general, adult women should eat 45-60 grams per meal and 15 grams per snack, and adult men, 60-75 grams per meal and 15-30 grams per snack.
- Eat smaller portions. If you’re overweight, simply eating less can improve your blood glucose levels, even without weight loss.
- Modest weight loss can improve blood glucose levels. Even losing just 10 pounds can lower your blood glucose by improving your insulin resistance.
- Be physically active. A structured exercise program isn’t required. The more you move and the less time spent sitting or lying on the sofa, the less insulin your body requires. Your blood glucose may be lower for up to 1-2 days after you exercise, depending on the length and intensity of your activity.
Conclusion:
Although low carbohydrate diets may be effective in the short-term for weight loss, a low-carb diet is not necessary or recommended for long-term maintenance of blood glucose control. You can maintain blood glucose control by eating a variety of healthy foods, balancing the amount of carbohydrate you eat throughout the day, being physically active, and adjusting your diabetes medication as necessary.
Related Questions
Related Links
American Diabetes Association (ADA
http://www.diabetes.org
Joslin Diabetes Center
http://www.joslin.org
Calorie Control Council
http://www.caloriecontrol.com
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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