Low Carb Diet Beneficial for Type 1 Diabetics?

[cyclinglady]

A new study was released this week.  Although not a true scientific study, the results are promising for Type 1 diabetics and in my personal opinion, Type 2, as well.  I am sharing this because Type 1 has a strong affiliation with celiac disease.  Of course, more studies are needed.  Unfortunately, as you all know, food treatment for an illness is not well funded as there is little money to be made (e.g. pharmacutical companies).  

I have Type 2 diabetes (thin and athletic) and have managed to avoid insulin or drugs on a low carb diet for the past four years.  Managed meaning, maintaining near or normal blood sugars.  Personally, perhaps all of us should focus on a lower carb diet with fewer non-processed foods.  It may slow down our obesity crisis and all the health issues that typically follow.  

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Google more.  Do not trust just my word.  Keep advocating for your health! 

[trents]

Too many carbs, not fat intake as was preached to us for decades, is the main cause of obesity for most of us who live in first world countries. Lately, I have cut way back on carbs and substituted some of those calories with fat calories (eggs, whole dairy products, nuts and seeds and yes, even "spam"). This, combined with moderate regular exercise, is causing the pounds to come off. But yet, I don't struggle with intense hunger.

Increasing fat intake while reducing carb intake prevents the ravenous hunger that eventually sabotages most weight loss plans that focus on just cutting calories. The main reason for this has to do with how it affects blood sugar and insulin levels. Substituting fat calories for carb calories keeps blood sugar and insulin levels on a more even keel. Hunger is driven by blood sugar levels that plummet after spiking on the typical high carb western diet and this causes insulin levels to yo yo.

In addition, increasing fat intake and cutting way back on carbs teaches the body to burn it's own stored fat reserves efficiently. With the approach I'm describing, you have to be more selective with regards to fruits and vegetables. Fruits are generally high in carbs so you need to eat less on them and get those vitamins from vegies. But many vegies are also high in carbs so you need to choose those that aren't. Examples of low carb vegies are tomatoes, avocados and asparagus. In addition, some nuts are higher in carbs than others. Among the low carb nuts are pecans and macadamia nuts. Cashews, no! Chia seeds, on the other hand, are your friend: high fat, high fiber but low in carbs and packed with nutrients.

I am describing what is known as the "keto" diet. Now, I'm not really on a full blown keto diet but I have made changes in eating habits that have taken me in that direction. It is much easier on the pancreas, let me assure you and because it avoids the intense hunger episodes that traditional dieting brings on I feel it is something that is sustainable over the long haul.

[Ennis-TX]

Earlier this month I was reading on the benefits of the ketogenic diet with diabetes. Also talked how the diet can help with people on the spectrum. Ketogenic diets are a very low carb high fat diet.