Low carb eating plan
There is not a one-size-fits all approach when it comes to making food choices. It is important that people at high risk of type 2 diabetes, are supported to choose the right foods, that fit their lifestyle and cultural preferences.
| Any websites and apps we suggest should never replace advice from your doctor, nurse or dietician. You must always get medical help and advice for any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment. |
About low carb eating plans
- A low-carbohydrate diet can be defined as one containing between 50g and 130g of carbs per day.
- Low carbohydrate diets are regarded as an effective option for people at high risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Dieticians in North West London have a key role to play in supporting those who decide to choose a low-carbohydrate diet to manage their nutritional needs and their risk of type 2 diabetes.
- If you want to try a low carbohydrate approach, an individualised plan needs to take account of different tastes, lifestyles and beliefs.
- As a short term strategy, a low-carb diet can be effective in managing weight, improving glycaemic control and reducing cardiovascular risk to the heart and blood vessels in people at high risk of type 2 diabetes, when followed for less than 12 months.
Is the diet safe to follow?
- There's a lot of evidence that highlights the positive impact of reducing carbohydrate in helping people lose weight and reduce blood glucose levels.
- It's important not to eliminate all carbohydrate from your diet as they do provide our body with nutrients such as fibre, calcium, iron and B vitamins. Choose wholegrain varieties where possible.
- Make sure you get advice from your dietician or healthcare professional to ensure that your diet is nutritionally adequate and fits your lifestyle and cultural preferences.
Thousands of people have been losing weight through the Low Carb programme, available on the NHS app store.
Learn more about the Low carb programme here.
The British Dietetics Association
- Low-carbohydrate diets (defined as diets containing between 50g and 130g carbohydrate) can be effective in managing weight, improving glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk in people at risk of type 2 diabetes in the short term i.e. less than 12 months. This is probably due to the accompanying reduction in energy (calorie) intake and subsequent weight loss (Diabetes UK 2018).
- More research is needed to determine the effect of long-term adherence (over 12 months) to low carbohydrate diets (as defined above) on blood glucose control (and therefore control of diabetes), and also the effect on heart health in people at risk of type 2 diabetes.
