Individuals with type 2 diabetes don't need to completely eliminate carbs
A type 2 diabetes diagnosis used to mean that a person was confined to bland food for the rest of their life. Any amount of carbohydrates or sugars could mean a dangerous spike in blood sugar, which leads to health complications over time.
However, understanding of type 2 diabetes has grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple decades, and health experts how say that a person can still eat normal foods that have carbohydrates and sugars as long as they do it in moderation.
The American Diabetes Association says that a person with type 2 diabetes can tolerate between 45 and 60 grams of carbohydrates at each meal, depending on the severity of their condition. Furthermore, if a person knows they are going to be eating a carb-heavy meal later in the day, they can prepare by eating fewer carbs earlier in the day.
The group says that individuals with type 2 diabetes should familiarize themselves with foods that have high levels of carbohydrates. These include starches like bread, fruit, dairy products and other snack items that have high levels of sugar.
It is important for a person with type 2 diabetes to limit their carbohydrate intake because after being digested, these nutrients are generally converted directly into sugar. This sugar then floods the bloodstream. A meal that contains too many carbs could lead to a dangerous spike in glucose levels. This is why experts recommended for so long that diabetics work to restrict their intake as much as possible.
Yet, now that medical experts know more about diabetes and how it produces its effects in the body, it is clear that there is no reason to totally eliminate carbs and sugar. As long as a person keeps track of how much they eat and understand the effect it will have on their blood sugar, a type 2 diabetes diet does not have to be excessively restrictive.
However, understanding of type 2 diabetes has grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple decades, and health experts how say that a person can still eat normal foods that have carbohydrates and sugars as long as they do it in moderation.
The American Diabetes Association says that a person with type 2 diabetes can tolerate between 45 and 60 grams of carbohydrates at each meal, depending on the severity of their condition. Furthermore, if a person knows they are going to be eating a carb-heavy meal later in the day, they can prepare by eating fewer carbs earlier in the day.
The group says that individuals with type 2 diabetes should familiarize themselves with foods that have high levels of carbohydrates. These include starches like bread, fruit, dairy products and other snack items that have high levels of sugar.
It is important for a person with type 2 diabetes to limit their carbohydrate intake because after being digested, these nutrients are generally converted directly into sugar. This sugar then floods the bloodstream. A meal that contains too many carbs could lead to a dangerous spike in glucose levels. This is why experts recommended for so long that diabetics work to restrict their intake as much as possible.
Yet, now that medical experts know more about diabetes and how it produces its effects in the body, it is clear that there is no reason to totally eliminate carbs and sugar. As long as a person keeps track of how much they eat and understand the effect it will have on their blood sugar, a type 2 diabetes diet does not have to be excessively restrictive.
First published on: August 15, 2011
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