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.
A low carb diabetic diet is a great way to manage your weight and blood sugar levels. If you have type 2 diabetes use the following tips to avoid eating more carbohydrates than your body can tolerate, help keep stabilize your blood sugar level and try these delicious low carb recipes for diabetics:
- 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.
Here are some easy low carb recipes for diabetics to get you started:
- This blackened salmon with cucumber relish and cauliflower is high in healthy monosaturated fat and starchy vegetables.
- To incorporate asparagus, and another good starchy vegetable like leeks , into your diet, try this asparagus and leek soup, A cheddar omelet with tomatoes and zucchini is a good source of protein and fiber from vegetables. Try it out for breakfast!