Low-carb diets have long been associated with both weight loss (read: the Atkins diet) and type 2 diabetes management. Every time we eat carbohydrates, our blood sugar increases, and the hormone insulin is released. Insulin production can increase how much fat we store in our bodies, and some find that fewer carbohydrates in their diet mean less insulin is released, resulting in less fat storage and weight loss, says Evans. Those who are diagnosed with prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes may be prescribed a low-carb diet by a doctor or dietitian to help monitor their blood glucose, Evans adds.
“I typically recommend low-carb diets to individuals with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance,” agrees Deena Adimoolam, M.D., an endocrinologist and obesity specialist. “These underlying conditions may lead to higher levels of blood glucose, and eating high-carb foods increases these glucose values.” She notes that those who have underlying nutrition deficiencies or chronic liver or kidney disorders should avoid low-carb diets.
And if diabetes or weight loss aren’t concerns for you, keeping your carbs in check can be beneficial in preventing blood sugar spikes in between meals (a.k.a. that dreaded sugar-high and crash). Plus, she says it’s a great way to increase your vegetable, fruit, and protein intake.
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