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It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.

Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy


 

Ask Dr. Gourmet

Should diabetics avoid carbs (carbohydrates)?

My dad was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. We were told that as a diabetic he was allowed basically no carbs. Is this true?

Dr. Gourmet Says...

a glucose monitor and measuring tape alongside a bowl a breakfast cereal

I am sorry that you have been confused by the diet teaching your father has received. Being told that he shouldn't eat carbohydrates is completely incorrect.

It is now clear that Mediterranean style diet is the best diet for diabetics. You can read more about the most recent research in my article "The Mediterranean Diet IS a Diabetic Diet!"

When it comes to the choice of carbohydrates, the key messages is that they should be more complex carbohydrates. Great carbohydrate sources include whole wheat bread, high fiber whole grain cereals, whole grain pastas, brown rice, beans, and legumes, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Here's a link to the basics of a Mediterranean style diet to help you understand better.

All Dr. Gourmet recipes are based on Mediterranean diet principles and will work well for diabetics.

Thanks for writing,

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet