ADA includes use of a Very Low Carb (Keto) Eating Pattern in New Report
On April 18, 2019, the American Diabetes Association published a new Consensus Report which not only includes the use of a low carbohydrate eating pattern of 26-45% of total daily calories as carbohydrate, but in this report also includes the use of a very low carbohydrate (ketogenic) eating pattern of 20-50 g carbs per day. The report is clear that there is no “one-size-fits-all” eating pattern for the prevention or management of diabetes, and that it unrealistic to expect that there should be just one eating pattern for everyone; especially given the wide variety of people affected by diabetes and pre-diabetes, including their varied cultural backgrounds, personal preferences, co-occurring conditions and the variety of socio-economic backgrounds from which they come.
The new report underlines several eating patterns that are effective to varying degrees for achieving different goals, with potential benefits including HbA1C reduction, weight loss, lowered blood pressure, improved lipids (higher HDL-c, lower LDL-c), lower triglycerides (TG), but says clearly that low carb eating patterns show the most evidence for blood glucose control;
“Reducing overall carbohydrate intake for individuals with diabetes has demonstrated the most evidence for improving glycemia (blood sugar) and may be applied in a variety of eating patterns that meet individual needs and preferences.”
The new Consensus Report includes low carb eating patterns and very low carb (keto) eating patterns among the choices of eating patterns for those with pre-diabetes as well as adults with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.
The various eating patterns with their different potential benefits are summarized in Table 3, below;
Table 3 – Eating Patterns reviewed for this report
The report also indicates that for adults with Type 2 Diabetes not meeting their blood sugar targets, or where there is a need to lower anti-glycemic medications that lower blood sugar, that
“reducing overall carbohydrate intake with low- or very low- carbohydrate eating plans is a viable approach.”
If you have been recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic or as having Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and would like support to reverse the symptoms through a low carbohydrate or very low carbohydrate eating pattern, then I can help. I also don’t believe there is a “one-sized-fits-all” approach to either of these and will work within you needs to design an individual plan just for you.
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Reference
Evert, AB, Dennison M, Gardner CD, et al, Nutrition Therapy for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Consensus Report, Diabetes Care, Ahead of Print, published online April 18, 2019, https://doi.org/10.2337/dci19-0014
