The Atkins Diet is a restricted-carbohydrate diet that claims to turn your body into a "fat-burning machine" by limiting both glucose and insulin production. Insulin-dependent diabetics may be able to use the Atkins Diet to help regulate blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy body weight. However, because of the high-protein content of the Atkins program, you should consult your doctor before changing your diet.
Atkins Diet Overview
The Atkins Diet emphasizes eating protein and fat and limiting carbohydrate intake. Only high-fiber, nutrient-dense carbs are allowed. You limit natural sugars and starches and eliminate added sugars. By reducing foods your body can easily convert to glucose, your body is forced to burn stored fat for energy, resulting in weight loss. This approach can also help stabilize glucose levels, avoiding both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. The Atkins program is divided into four phases. As you move from one phase to the next, you add more carbohydrates back into your diet, which slows weight loss as you get closer to your goal weight.
Atkins, Carbohydrates and Diabetes
Because carbohydrates are most easily converted to glucose, diabetics need to choose carbs wisely. Certain carbohydrates, such as vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains, add fiber and essential nutrients. The first two phases of the Atkins Diet may be too carb-restrictive for insulin-dependent diabetics. The American Diabetes Association recommends you eat between 45 and 60 g of carbs at each meal; much higher than the Induction and Ongoing Weight Loss phases allow. However, later phases of the diet allow you to find your personal "carbohydrate level for losing." Your CLL is the number of carbs you can eat without stalling weight-loss. According to the Atkins website, your CLL "is influenced by your age, gender, level of physical activity, hormonal issues and medications you may be taking."
Protein Consumption and Diabetes
When you limit one macronutrient, such as carbohydrates, you may increase consumption of the other two -- protein and fat. Increasing protein consumption following the Atkins Diet helps ensure your body breaks down stored fat, rather than lean muscle mass, for fuel. But excess animal protein intake can be problematic for diabetics. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. Impaired kidney function requires a lower protein consumption due to the strain placed on the kidney during protein digestion. Following a high-protein diet may speed the progression of kidney disease.
Saturated Fat Intake, Protein and the Atkins Diet
Insulin-dependent diabetics have an increased risk for heart disease. Minimizing other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, is important for all diabetics. The Atkins Diet, with its high protein intake, may include too much saturated fat -- an unhealthy fat that can raise "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The American Diabetes Association advises that less than 7 percent of your daily calories come from saturated fat. This is nearly impossible on the Atkins Diet. You can limit saturated fat by choosing seafood, lean meats, nonfat or low-fat dairy products, and plant-based protein, such as beans, soy and nuts.
