A low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) is a therapeutic nutritional strategy for managing diabetes Diabetes Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and dysfunction of the regulation of glucose metabolism by insulin. Type 1 DM is diagnosed mostly in children and young adults as the result of autoimmune destruction of β cells in the pancreas and the resulting lack of insulin. Type 2 DM has a significant association with obesity and is characterized by insulin resistance. Diabetes Mellitus by restricting carbohydrate intake to improve glycemic control and reduce medication dependence. By lowering the body's glycemic load and decreasing insulin Insulin Insulin is a peptide hormone that is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin plays a role in metabolic functions such as glucose uptake, glycolysis, glycogenesis, lipogenesis, and protein synthesis. Exogenous insulin may be needed for individuals with diabetes mellitus, in whom there is a deficiency in endogenous insulin or increased insulin resistance. Insulin demand, an LCD can enhance insulin Insulin Insulin is a peptide hormone that is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin plays a role in metabolic functions such as glucose uptake, glycolysis, glycogenesis, lipogenesis, and protein synthesis. Exogenous insulin may be needed for individuals with diabetes mellitus, in whom there is a deficiency in endogenous insulin or increased insulin resistance. Insulin sensitivity. This approach is clinically proven to lower HbA1c HbA1c Products of non-enzymatic reactions between glucose and hemoglobin a, occurring as a minor fraction of the hemoglobin components of human erythrocytes. Hemoglobin a1c is hemoglobin a with glucose covalently bound to the terminal valine of the beta chain. Glycated hemoglobin a is used as an index of the average blood sugar level over a lifetime of erythrocytes. Diabetes Mellitus, promote weight loss Weight loss Decrease in existing body weight. Bariatric Surgery, and potentially lead to type 2 diabetes Diabetes Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and dysfunction of the regulation of glucose metabolism by insulin. Type 1 DM is diagnosed mostly in children and young adults as the result of autoimmune destruction of β cells in the pancreas and the resulting lack of insulin. Type 2 DM has a significant association with obesity and is characterized by insulin resistance. Diabetes Mellitus remission Remission A spontaneous diminution or abatement of a disease over time, without formal treatment. Cluster Headaches, though it requires close medical supervision to manage risks like hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia is an emergency condition defined as a serum glucose level ≤ 70 mg/dL (≤ 3.9 mmol/L) in diabetic patients. In nondiabetic patients, there is no specific or defined limit for normal serum glucose levels, and hypoglycemia is defined mainly by its clinical features. Hypoglycemia.
Last updated: Oct 10, 2025
| Dietary Component | Role in Diet | Examples for Patient Education |
| Non-Starchy Vegetables | Emphasized | Leafy greens (spinach, kale), broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus |
| Lean LEAN Quality Measurement and Improvement Proteins Proteins Linear polypeptides that are synthesized on ribosomes and may be further modified, crosslinked, cleaved, or assembled into complex proteins with several subunits. The specific sequence of amino acids determines the shape the polypeptide will take, during protein folding, and the function of the protein. Energy Homeostasis | Emphasized | Poultry, fish FISH A type of in situ hybridization in which target sequences are stained with fluorescent dye so their location and size can be determined using fluorescence microscopy. This staining is sufficiently distinct that the hybridization signal can be seen both in metaphase spreads and in interphase nuclei. Chromosome Testing (especially fatty fish FISH A type of in situ hybridization in which target sequences are stained with fluorescent dye so their location and size can be determined using fluorescence microscopy. This staining is sufficiently distinct that the hybridization signal can be seen both in metaphase spreads and in interphase nuclei. Chromosome Testing like salmon), seafood, lean LEAN Quality Measurement and Improvement cuts of meat, eggs, tofu |
| Healthy Fats Fats The glyceryl esters of a fatty acid, or of a mixture of fatty acids. They are generally odorless, colorless, and tasteless if pure, but they may be flavored according to origin. Fats are insoluble in water, soluble in most organic solvents. They occur in animal and vegetable tissue and are generally obtained by boiling or by extraction under pressure. They are important in the diet (dietary fats) as a source of energy. Energy Homeostasis | Emphasized | Avocado, olive oil, nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds (chia, flax) |
| Low-Fat Dairy | Moderated | Plain Greek yogurt, cheese |
| Low-Carbohydrate Fruits | Moderated | Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) |
| Legumes | Moderated | Lentils, chickpeas, black beans (note: these contain carbohydrates Carbohydrates A class of organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of cn(H2O)n. The largest class of organic compounds, including starch; glycogen; cellulose; polysaccharides; and simple monosaccharides. Basics of Carbohydrates and should be portion-controlled) |
| Starchy Vegetables & Grains | Limited/Avoided | Potatoes, corn, peas, bread, pasta, rice, oats, quinoa |
| Sugary Foods & Drinks | Limited/Avoided | Soda, fruit juice, candy, pastries, desserts, sugar-sweetened beverages |
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