April 20, 2012. Samuel Valero
A person has diabetes when he or she becomes incapable of using sugar within his system effectively, thus glucose (blood sugar) accumulated in his blood. This can lead to several complications that are often related to diabetes.
So, for these people, it would really be wise to reduce the amount of carbohydrates eating each day. It’s no wonder that diabetics who following a low carb diet have more stable levels of glucose in their blood because starchy carbohydrates like refined sugar and potatoes are easily converted into sugars in the digestive tract..
By trying out a diabetic low carb diet, a type 2 diabetic will gain important health benefits like reduction of glucose in blood, loss of weight and substantial decrease of triglycerides. Using this diet plan, three out of the four dietary goals recommended for diabetics are achieved. These three goals are to achieve and maintain an almost normal or near normal level of glucose in the blood, decrease weight and fatty lipids (fats) in the blood, prevent the occurrence of complications caused by diabetes such as damage to extremities such as feet and finger.
Usually for a diabetic low carb diet plan, it is recommended to eat foods with a low glycemic index (GI). A food with low GI is processed by the body more slowly than other foods, this make us feel full much longer and also spreads out the absorption of the sugars in food so we don’t get “spikes” which can make insulin levels go crazy. Some examples of low GI foods:
- Breakfast Cereal- bran, rolled oats, porridge, natural muesli.
- Staples – yams, brown rice, whole wheat pasta shapes, meat ravioli
- Dairy – whole milk, non-sweetened yogurt, cheese
- Bread – whole wheat, sourdough, rye, soya and linseed
- Vegetables – all green leafy vegetables, raw carrots, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage
- Fruits – strawberries, blueberries, avocados, apples
No carbs foods are considered to have zero GI. Make sure that they are also included in your diet. These would include things like fish, poultry and meat which are essential source of protein.
Updated April 20, 2012. Published February 18, 2012. Samuel Valero
