Is It Healthy To Follow A Low Carb Diabetic Diet

Is It Healthy To Follow A Low Carb Diabetic Diet

Following a low carb diabetic diet is sometimes recommended to those that suffer from this illness. But is it healthy? Well it really depends on how the individual interprets low carb. The British Dietetic Association and the Food Standards Agency have expressed concern that people following low carb diets may be putting themselves at further risk.

People have tended to ignore the research as these low carb diets can result in very fast weight loss especially in the short term. Protein foods are very filling thus helping you to eat less. But eating too much protein can result in the over manufacturer of ketones, your body’s response to starvation. It is these ketones that are linked to bad breath, nausea and dizziness often associated with these diets.

It is more sensible to follow a long term method of losing weight by eating all of the food groups in moderation. It is not easy to stick to a diet that eliminates whole food groups as it can become very monotonous eating the same food day in and day out.

Carbohydrates are an essential component of our diet. We need to eat some every day in order to maintain health. Not all carbohydrates are created equal though and most people think of white bread, rice and potatoes when they think of carbs. While it would make sense to reduce your consumption of these foods, you should not cut out carbohydrates completely.

Type 2 diabetes, also known as late onset diabetes, is caused either when the insulin the body produces fails to control blood sugar properly or when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Having too much sugar in your blood causes excessive thirst, fainting and can lead to stroke and an increased risk of heart disease.

Eating carbohydrates that release a lot of glucose (natural sugar) very quickly into your bloodstream makes diabetes more difficult to control. When eating carbohydrates, you should choose whole grain high fiber varieties. Not only will these help to fill you up and provide the nutrients you need, but you may also gain added protection from certain forms of cancer.

If you want to eat potatoes then eat jacket potatoes or those boiled in their skins. Avoid chips and roasted and try not to add butter or other fats as a dressing.

In order to lose weight, you need to combine more exercise with eating less. Exercise is beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Just make sure you take your doctor’s advice before starting a new program. Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. The more gradual your weight loss the less likely you are to put it all back on again. Don’t put any particular food off limits as that will only cause you to crave it more. Obviously you cannot eat cakes and biscuits every day, but having the odd diabetic chocolate won’t hurt.

Follow a low carb diabetic diet to kick start your weight loss but consider switching to a long term weight management program as soon as you can.

BONUS : Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program

When you are looking for a diet program the most difficult task that you probably come across is finding the one that is right for you. Well Jenny Craig is one of the many that are out there but also one of the most popular. The Jenny Craig program focuses on teaching you healthy eating by encouraging balance, variety, and moderation which are all important when you are trying to lose weight.

They introduce this to you by offering you a selection of prepackaged fools. Each of the packages is made for you based on USDA standards. You also have the option of choosing a preplanned package or create your own packages from a huge selection of food that they have available.

You are required to eat the Jenny Craig meals until you reach the half way mark of your weight loss goal. You will supplement these meals with your own fruits and vegetables, dairy, and grain. The amount of food that you are allowed is based on your caloric and your nutritional needs as well as your overall weight loss goal.

You are also encouraged to eat six meals a day to ward off any hunger pains that may occur and also to increase your metabolism. Once you have reached your half way point you will be transferred off of the prepackaged foods to regular foods. In addition you will also need to attend weekly meetings for support and motivation.

There are some great advantages to using the Jenny Craig program. This is a great program for you if you have a busy lifestyle which doesn’t offer a lot of time for cooking. It is also good if you are one that does not like to cook or do not know how to cook. All of the meals are prepackaged so you do not have to cook anything. Also they are all premeasured, so there is no need to count calories or measuring your food. The meals will teach you what a realistic portion should look like. The meals are also put together by a registered dietician so they are up to the USDA standards. They even have meal plans for teenagers and kids that have special needs.

If you feel that you will need accountability the weekly support and motivation groups will be a good help for you. Another final advantage of the Jenny Craig program is that your food is sent by FedEx to your door if you are unable to pick it up.

Just like everything in life though Jenny Craig also has some downfalls. The first one being that you are not allowed eating any other meals till you are halfway through the program. This may be bothersome for you if you enjoy eating with your family, go out to eat often, or you travel a lot. The cost of the program is another downfall. If you have a tight pocketbook you will probably not be able to afford this program.

Jenny Craig is a great program to work with? You just need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages, to decide if it’s a great program for you.