Question

What are the challenges with compliances of diabetes patients having a carb diet long term? Please explain and provide reference.

Answer 1

Ans) Both Diabetes UK and the American Diabetes Association recommend an individualized approach, where health professionals work with the person with diabetes to identify an eating pattern that is based on that individual’s lifestyle, culture, and preferences.

- Both authorities identify carbohydrate management as a key strategy and address both type and amount of carbohydrate, emphasizing unprocessed carbohydrate from whole grains, fruit, and vegetable sources.

Perhaps it is time to abandon the macronutrient approach to nutritional advice and begin to talk about specific foods and eating patterns and encourage those associated with health. There is no “ideal” eating pattern that will benefit all people with diabetes, although total energy intake is an important consideration, especially in those who are overweight or obese.

- Epidemiological and observational studies show that there are dietary patterns that are associated with better overall health outcomes and which are rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, seafood, legumes, and nuts, contain moderate amounts of dairy products, and are lower in red and processed meat, sugar, and refined grains.

- Although low carbohydrate diets appear to be safe and effective in people with diabetes, there are more sustainable alternatives available and this should be fully explained to all those with type 2 diabetes.