The American Diabetes Association recommends that either low-carbohydrate or low-fat calorie-restricted diets may be effective in the short-term (up to 1 year) for weight loss in patients with diabetes.
For patients with low-carbohydrate diets, it is recommended that lipid profiles, renal function, and protein intake (in those with nephropathy) should be monitored, and hypoglycemic therapies should be adjusted as needed.
Nutritional counseling should be customized to each patient, ideally by a registered dietitian, based on the patient’s personal needs, willingness and ability to change, and cultural preferences.
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2009. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(suppl 1):S13-S61.
