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The keto diet restricts carbs and forces your body to break down fat for energy production, creating ketones as a fuel source.
Ketones can become hazardous when they reach an elevated concentration in the blood, so diabetics should monitor their ketone levels carefully.
The keto diet can be especially beneficial for those living with diabetes, as it improves their blood lipid profile. By decreasing triglycerides and elevating HDL (the “good”) cholesterol, the keto diet may reduce their overall risk for cardiovascular disease.
It is high in fat
The keto diet is high in fat and may pose challenges for diabetics. Excess fat in the body can raise cholesterol levels and increase risk factors for heart disease.
Additionally, the keto diet restricts carbohydrates and may cause blood sugar levels to drop. This could lead to symptoms like fatigue, headaches and weakness.
Low carbohydrate diets can also lead to ketoacidosis, a serious condition for diabetics that occurs when insulin levels are too low to remove glucose from the bloodstream and ketones accumulate in it.
Keto diet can help manage blood sugar and reduce the need for anti-diabetic medication, however it may not be sustainable in the long term. Therefore, consulting your doctor before beginning any new diet regimen is highly recommended; they will assist you in choosing which type of diet best fits your lifestyle and medical condition as well as provide regular updates about how things are going with regards to health status.
It is low in carbs
The keto diet is low in carbohydrates and encourages your body into “ketosis,” or fat burning, instead of glucose. This can help lower blood sugar levels for those living with diabetes.
Studies have even reported that keto can improve brain function and focus. This may be because cutting carbohydrates helps prevent large spikes in blood sugar or insulin levels.
Studies have also indicated that the keto diet may reduce hunger and make people feel fuller for longer. This could be because it affects hormones responsible for stimulating hunger and appetite, according to a review published in Clinical Lipidology.
Enhancing your meals with healthy oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil and nut oils can help you stay on track with the keto diet. These oils are packed full of healthy fats without containing any carbs – perfect for those on the ketogenic diet!
It is low in protein
If you have diabetes, the keto diet should be avoided due to its lack of protein content.
According to the American Diabetes Association, people on a diabetic diet should consume at least 0.36 grams of protein per pound (0.8 grams per kilogram) of body weight. However, eating too much protein may raise insulin levels and cause you to exit ketosis prematurely.
Furthermore, restricting carbs could potentially lower your blood sugar too drastically if you take oral diabetes medications or insulin, leading to hypoglycemia.
Thankfully, there are other ways to regulate blood sugar on the keto diet besides restricting carbohydrates. Eating healthy fats and lots of non-starchy vegetables helps lower insulin levels, boost ketone production and burn off extra energy from fat storage. Plus, they provide fiber and other vital nutrients your body needs for optimal wellness.
It is high in sodium
The keto diet drastically reduces carbohydrate consumption to almost nothing, forcing the body to burn fat for energy instead of glucose. This results in a state of ketosis whereby ketone bodies are produced instead of glucose.
Due to its high fat content, the keto diet can often lead to constipation. To keep your gut healthy and prevent these issues from arising, it’s recommended that you add a fiber supplement into your meal plan.
Another common issue is low blood sugar, which may cause dizzy spells and headaches. Diabetics should monitor their glucose levels regularly and speak with a doctor if these symptoms persist.
On the keto diet, sodium is an issue as your kidneys lose water weight rapidly when you reduce carbs. This can lead to dehydration and low electrolytes–both of which are common during the initial days of a keto diet.