Can people with diabetes do the Atkins plan?
Controlling both the quantity and quality of carbohydrates has tremendous benefits for people with diabetes. It can be so effective in improving blood sugar and insulin levels that anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes taking medications for blood sugar must develop a strategy with their doctor in advance of changing his or her diet. There is a risk of medication over-dosage and severe hypoglycemia with most blood sugar meds as the positive effects of controlling carbs begin to occur. Many people with Type 2 diabetes will be able to improve blood sugar control without meds or with lower doses. With less reliance on medications, weight loss becomes easier. People with Type 1 diabetes usually experience less hypoglycemic reactions, lower high blood sugar readings and often need less insulin. There have been a number of studies comparing low carb with the standard diabetes diet. See references in the research section. For more information on the prevention and control of diabetes see Atki
