Type 2 Diabetes - Would the Atkins' Diet Affect Your Blood Sugar Levels?

Almost everyone is looking to lose weight, people with and without type 2 diabetes. Millions are spent each year on programs and products to help with weight loss. What is everyone looking for? Foods that taste good, an easy to follow program that gives quick results without feeling deprived or hungry?

Dr Atkins' Weight Loss Program offers an answer to losing weight forever. Is this possible? I'm sure this program works for some people but is not right for everyone. Especially if you are one of the people who needs to watch your blood sugar levels.

The Atkins' Diet:

• is classed as a very low-carbohydrate high protein diet
• is worked in four phases
• in the initial phase the diet is very low in carbohydrates and very high in protein and fat of which there is no limitation
• all fruits are excluded in the first phase which lasts for 14 days
• carbohydrates are restricted to 20 grams/day and eventually builds up to 60 grams/day

Effects of very low-carbohydrate high protein diets:

• high protein diets cause excessive water loss
• people with diabetes already have a higher risk of kidney disease. Kidneys can be strained
• ketones are created which is thought to contribute to gout, heart and kidney disease
• the recommended dietary protein per day for adults is exceeded approximately five times. We only require 4 to 7 ounces/ 120 to 200 grams of lean animal protein food each day
• low-carbohydrate diets encourage the kidneys to flush out potassium, sodium, calcium and other minerals which leads to dehydration, constipation, and leg cramps
• all vegetable carbohydrates appear to be labeled bad even though they promote health
• scientific evidence show high saturated fats (in meat and dairy), increase the risk of heart disease and stroke
• encourages you to buy many supplements to replace the nutritional deficits the diet creates
• if you are taking insulin or insulin-stimulating medication you would need to carefully watch you blood sugar levels and adjust the medication doses
• if you cheat one day and not the next, your blood sugars would be all over the place
• your glycogen stores would be depleted making it difficult to exercise

Before commencing a low-carbohydrate high protein diet, check with your health care provider.

The ideal eating plan for the person with type 2 diabetes is one that helps you to lose weight slowly and steadily, at the same time maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

Autor: Beverleigh H Piepers Beverleigh H Piepers
Level: Platinum
Beverleigh H Piepers is a Registered Nurse, registered in Australia and the United States. In 2008 Beverleigh was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic. She then commenced ... ...

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Beverleigh Piepers is a registered nurse who would like to help you understand how to live easily and happily with your Type 2 Diabetes.
http://drugfreetype2diabetes.com

Added: June 14, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/