Friday, November 26, 2010

Low Carbohydrate Foods - Are They Beneficial For Diabetics?

Are low carbohydrate foods beneficial for diabetics? Yes they are and the reason is that low carbohydrate foods usually have low sugar content. Your weight is controlled by the amount of calories you consume, therefore the less you eat, will mean the more likely you will lose weight. Limiting the quantity of carbohydrate foods in your diet can reduce your calorie intake; this is where a calorie diet is similar to a low carb diet.
It is important to know the difference between good carbohydrate and bad carbohydrate. The good carbohydrate foods are known as complex carbohydrate and the bad carbs are known as simple carbohydrate.
It is important to remember that foods that are low in carbohydrate but can be high in fat, so you need to take care that you do not include too much fat into your diet. There are some foods that have the least amount of carbohydrate in them and they are fish, meat, poultry, fats, oils, non-starchy vegetables and dairy products.
You body requires some fat, some protein and some carbohydrates in order to function correctly; this is why it is very important that you eat a healthy well-balanced diet that contains all the right food groups.
Following is a list of some low carbohydrate foods that are beneficial for diabetics:
Vegetables
  • Asparagus
  • Beans
  • Beetroot
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Pumpkin
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes
  • Watercress
Fruit
  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Bananas
  • Blackberries
  • Cherries
  • Figs
  • Grapes
  • Grapefruit
  • Lemon
  • Oranges
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Plums
  • Prunes
  • Raspberries
  • Rhubarb
  • Strawberries
Nuts
  • Almonds
  • Brazil
  • Chestnuts
  • Coconuts
  • Pecans
  • Peanuts
  • Walnuts
One very important point to remember is that a low carb diet is not beneficial to you over a long period of time, it can cause you harm. Always seek medical advice before starting any program so that you can make sure that you are not causing more damage to yourself. It is wise to include exercise each day into your routine, which will compliment your healthy diet.
It is well known that carbohydrates are what cause your blood sugar to rise. Managing your blood sugar levels when they are too high is when it can be beneficial for you to incorporate a diet with low carbohydrate foods. Once you have your blood sugar levels under control you should then implement a diet that will compliment your own individual requirements that includes a mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Keeping a list of what foods make your blood sugar rise is essential so that you can avoid being on a low carbohydrate food diet for a long period of time. In summary, low carbohydrate foods are beneficial for diabetics when used in the short term to prevent the development of complications.

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