Carbohydrates and Weight Loss: What You Need to Know

Before you make any changes to your diet, please speak to your healthcare team particularly if you are taking medication for your diabetes

The role of carbohydrates in our diet

• Carbohydrate provides us with energy as it is broken down in the body to glucose which is then released into the bloodstream allowing the glucose to enter the cells so it can be used as fuel by our body for energy.
• Healthy sources of carbohydrates, such as higher-fibre starchy foods, vegetables, fruit and legumes, are also important sources of nutrients, such as calcium, iron and B vitamins which are all needed to keep us healthy.
• A low carbohydrate diet is defined as eating less than 130g of carbohydrates per day. As mentioned above carbohydrates break down to glucose in the body, so it is the nutrient that has the biggest impact on your blood glucose levels. Lowering blood glucose levels is clearly a benefit for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing it.
• A low carbohydrate diet has helped many people with type 2 diabetes put it into remission and it can also help people that are overweight and at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, lose weight and improve health markers.