Is It Necessary To Cut Carbs For A Diabetes Diet?

Carbohydrates play an important role in managing diabetes. In diabetes, the body is not able to effectively process carbohydrates for energy, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Therefore, it is extremely important to limit and cut down on carbs to control blood sugar levels as well as manage diabetes complications such as obesity and heart diseases. However, a drastic cut in carbohydrates may also cause hypoglycemia. Therefore, diabetics need to strike a balance of carbohydrates in their diet. Eating a healthy low-carb diet that can provide all the essential nutrients is ideal for people with diabetes. 

What Are The Benefits Of A Low-Carb Diet In Diabetes?

• Controlled Blood Sugar Levels

People with diabetes cannot process carbohydrates easily, causing a spike in blood sugar levels of the body. Therefore, cutting down on carbs is essential to control the blood sugar levels of the body.

• Reduced Risk Of Diabetes Complications

Diabetes often leads to many health complications such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, hypertension, etc. A low-carb diet can vastly help in reducing cholesterol levels and boosting heart health. It can also help to prevent obesity, hypertension and many other diabetes complications.   

• Reduced Medications

Fewer carbohydrates in a diet may lower the body’s requirement for insulin, helping in reducing medications for diabetes. However, a low-carb diet should be followed only after consultation with a doctor as it may cause hypoglycemia.

• Improved Brain Health

When blood sugar levels are too high, they may affect the ability to think clearly. By controlling blood sugar levels in the body, a low-carb diet helps in relieving brain fog and improving the clarity of thinking.

• Increased Intake Of Vegetables And Nutrients

A healthy and nutritious low-carb diet will include more non-starchy vegetables such as spinach and tomatoes. These vegetables provide a range of nutrients to the body and help in managing diabetes as well as preventing heart diseases and cancer. 

Are There Any Carbohydrates That Diabetics Can Have?

People with diabetes need to limit their carb intake. However, cutting carbs does not mean avoiding carbohydrates altogether. Carbohydrates are important to provide energy to the body. Diabetics should try to consume good carbohydrates that help them stay healthy. They should eat unprocessed and non-starchy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, and tomatoes. These vegetables have lower levels of carbohydrates and are rich in fibre, making them ideal for a diabetes diet. They may also include starch in the diet in a limited quantity. Starchy carbohydrates include fruits such as apples, blueberries and strawberries; vegetables such as corn, sweet potatoes and pumpkins; and legumes such as black beans, kidney beans and green lentils.     

What Carbohydrates Should Diabetics Avoid? 

People with diabetes should try to avoid refined and highly processed carbohydrates that have added sugars in them. Some examples of these foods are sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and juice; snacks such as cakes and cookies; processed and refined grains such as white bread, etc.   

How Many Carbohydrates Should A Diabetic Have A Day? 

Although it is essential to cut carbs in diabetes, a certain quantity of the nutrient is essential for the body. Carb intake for each person is different. It depends on their age, activities, body weight, health complications, etc. There is no specific quantity of carbohydrates that can be recommended for all diabetes patients. Therefore, you must consult your doctor to discuss the ideal intake of carbohydrates for you. Ideally, a person with diabetes should try to eat carbohydrates that can provide half of the total calories required by their body.  

How To Cut Carbs In Your Diet?

• Choose the low-carb alternatives to food. For example, instead of having fruit juice, eat the whole fruit.
• Take into consideration the glycemic index and glycemic load of the foods you eat. This will help you consume foods with good carbohydrates that do not raise your blood sugar levels drastically.
• Follow the diabetes plate method to take a balanced proportion of all essential nutrients, including carbohydrates.   

Risks And Complications Of A Low-Carb Diet

Eating a low-carb diet is necessary to control blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. However, if not properly planned, low-carb diets can also cause various complications. 

• Eating fewer carbohydrates may result in hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a life-threatening situation that occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low. 
• In a low-carb diet, a person may end up eating large amounts of proteins. This may cause problems such as kidney diseases, osteoporosis, clogged arteries, etc. 

Therefore, you must consult your doctor before following a low-carb diet. Your doctor will help you assess how many carbs you need to cut down without causing complications. 

References

1. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diet/benefits-of-a-low-carb-diet.html
2. https://www.diabetes.org/nutrition/understanding-carbs
3. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/eat-well/diabetes-and-carbohydrates.html
4. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/carbohydrates-and-diabetes
5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/diabetes-carbs-per-day
6. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/carbs-and-diabetes
7. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/low-carb-diet-for-diabetes
8. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325195
9. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/low-carb-diet-may-help-people-with-type-2-diabetes-go-into-remission