Many people incorrectly believe that only sugar causes type 2 diabetes. In reality, the insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes can be thought of as carbohydrate intolerance; type 2 diabetes is a side effect of consuming too many carbohydrates relative to a person’s carbohydrate tolerance, which can cause blood sugar to spike.
While diabetics should be mindful of sugar intake, it’s possible to manage type 2 diabetes by living a low carb lifestyle. Some people with type 2 diabetes have found low carb living to be so effective that they can manage their condition without medication.
6 Low Carb Diet Tips for Diabetics
A low carb diabetic diet is a great way to manage your weight and blood sugar levels. The following low carb diet tips are great for diabetics trying to reduce carbohydrate consumption:
- Using a carb counter to monitor your carb intake is a great way to stay on track.
- Non-starchy vegetables such as colorful salad vegetables , broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, and asparagus tend to have lower glycemic indexes, making them perfect to for a low carb diabetic diet.
- Make sure to get plenty of fiber—high-fiber foods like vegetables are a necessary component to a low carb diabetic diet.
- Avoid foods with added sugars and high fructose corn syrup. If you have a sweet tooth , try sugar-free desserts
- Don’t skip breakfast! To keep your blood sugar levels steady, make sure to eat regularly throughout the day, starting in the morning. Try to fit in three meals and two snacks each day and pace yourself.
- Not all fats are bad for you. Healthy low carb recipes for diabetics often feature good natural fats like monounsaturated fats, such as the ones found in olive oil, which can help lower your cholesterol.
Low Carb Recipe Ideas for Diabetics
Atkins’ +1,600 recipes make it easy to eat low carb throughout the day. Here are some easy recipes for the low carb diabetic diet plan:
- Atkins’ blackened salmon with cucumber relish and cauliflower recipe is high in healthy monosaturated fat and starchy vegetables.
- The asparagus and leek soup is a delicious way to incorporate asparagus and other good starchy vegetable into your diet.
- Atkins’ cheddar omelet with tomatoes and zucchini recipe is high in protein and fire. Try it out for breakfast!
Register with Atkins today for additional low carb diet tips and recipes for diabetics.