The key to managing your diabetes is to keep your carbohydrate intake under control. This is so effective that if you're in the prediabetic stage, just eliminating starchy carbs from your diet for two or three weeks will totally help reset your insulin sensitivity. The reason most people get Type 2 diabetes is that they're insulin insensitive. The body releases more insulin than necessary because their diets are too high in refined carbohydrates.
In this article, we'll be discussing some ways that you can control your carbohydrate intake as well as some of the other benefits and difficulties. First, we'll explain some of the ways that certain carbs are different. Then, we'll tell you about how cutting carbs helps lose weight. After that, we'll go over how this isn't going to be an easy change to make and some of the difficulties to expect. And finally, we'll warn you that you shouldn't be eliminating all the carbs in your diet.
1
Types Of Carbs
It's often said that gram per gram, carbohydrates contain fewer calories than fat. To a large extent, this is true. However, it is misleading. When you consume refined carbs, like white bread or white rice, your blood sugar levels will spike. No matter what you do, this is the effect that starchy carbs have on your body.
Starchy carbs are broken down into fructose and glucose. This causes your blood sugar levels to rise. If you want to manage diabetes, you must aim for normal levels of glucose in the body. What you need to do is get most of your carbs from vegetables and fruits. Avoid white flour products, white rice, refined carbs, and other foods that contain sugar; this will prevent your blood sugar levels from fluctuating wildly.
2
It Encourages Weight Loss
You'll also find that when your diet lacks starchy carbs, your excess weight will start to disappear. When the body releases less insulin, it stores much less fat. You'll shed the excess pounds and reach your ideal weight over time.
This is fantastic in reducing your risk of diabetes and the complications that come with it. The visceral fat in your organs will reduce, too, if you have an exercise program that you're following. It's best to combine a low-carb diet with regular exercise to reap the benefits.
3
It's Hard But Worth It
When you're trying to make changes in your diet and reduce your intake of refined carbs, you'll find it excruciatingly difficult. You'll get cravings for sweet foods. Your body will suddenly desire high-carb dishes, etc. This is all normal.
Making this switch in your diet will be one of the toughest challenges that you'll go through. However, after two weeks of being on a low-carb diet, you'll notice that your cravings disappear. You'll feel less hungry, there will be a sense of "lightness," and you'll be more alert. A lot of energy is used to digest carbs. When you don't have much in your diet, you'll have more energy.
4
You Should Not Eliminate All Carbs
Do note that the goal is to reduce and eliminate refined carbohydrates, such as pastries, white bread, sodas, etc. It does not mean that you eliminate all carbohydrates. You want to consume good carbs (complex carbs), such as nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts), vegetables, and fruits, such as broccoli, spinach, bananas, apples, etc. Seeds and whole grains, such as pumpkin seeds, quinoa, and oats, are all great for you.
As far as vegetables go, avoid white potatoes. They are starchy and have a high glycemic index. This is one reason why French fries are so detrimental. They are high in fat and starch. It should be avoided at all costs.
Now, you have a better handle on what cutting starchy carbs from your diet means. First, we explained some of the ways that certain carbs are different. Then, we told you about how cutting carbs helps lose weight.
After that, we went over how this isn't going to be an easy change to make and some of the difficulties to expect. And finally, we warned you that you shouldn't be eliminating all the carbs in your diet. If you control your intake of starchy carbs and stick to the complex carbs mentioned above, your blood sugar levels will be stable, and it'll be much easier to manage your diabetes.
