Low carbohydrate diets, like the Dr. Atkins diet, are becoming super popular because of Jennifer Aniston. It’s the latest craze among weight watchers. Medical personnel really like the diet for different reasons – it’s great for diabetics!

In fact, the low-carb diet that is so popular for weight loss actually turns out to be better for diabetics than the traditional low-calorie low-fat diet formerly recommended. Research has since proven that the old diet that simply restricted calories was detrimental to diabetics’ health.

For diabetics, both sugar and starch are problematic. These cannot be properly absorbed and processed by the body, and the blood sugar can rise to dangerous levels. As a result, too many carbohydrates — which break down into sugars during digestion – are really dangerous.

Anyone on a low-carb diet will generally keep their carbohydrates to 5 to 10% of the total caloric intake per day. The energy and full feeling normally provided via carbs is provided instead via protein and fats.

It’s critical that people not experience severe hunger pangs. Feeling very hungry is what most often leads to binging on sugary foods. Feeling full protects you from binging, and this can be established with high fiber foods as well.

In fact, the low-carbohydrate diet is unique because you can basically eat what you want so long as you limit your carbohydrates. Don’t stuff yourself, but eat until you are satisfied – if the food you are eating is low in carbohydrates of course.

People on low carb diets can generally eat meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and cheese without limit. Many vegetables are also allowed, including kidney beans, carrots, and avocados. Be careful to avoid carbohydrates, and to replace this with fats and proteins to give the body sufficient energy. For obese diabetic patients, a doctor’s help may be necessary to adapt the standard low carbohydrate diet plan.

For diabetics, a low carb diet can be just the thing to make it easier to stay healthy. And for everyone else, low carb diets will likely continue to be a popular method for weight control.

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