Plant-Based Diet for Diabetes: What About Carbs?
A Vegan Health Article from All-Creatures.org

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From Theresa "Sam" Houghton, T. Colin Campbell, Center for Nutrition Studies
December 2021

High-carbohydrate whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diets have been associated with better health outcomes for people with or at risk of developing diabetes.

carbs

People with type 2 diabetes are often advised to reduce their carbohydrate intake. But high-carbohydrate whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diets have been associated with better health outcomes for people with or at risk of developing diabetes.

What explains this apparent contradiction? Why does a WFPB diet for diabetics appear to be effective despite the carbohydrate content? It all comes down to how whole plant foods—including their carbohydrates—affect the body.

What are carbohydrates?

All carbohydrates are made up of sugar molecules containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They have four main molecular structures:

  • Monosaccharides: one sugar molecule
  • Disaccharides: two bonded sugar molecules
  • Oligosaccharides: three to ten sugar molecules in a chain
  • Polysaccharides: long chains of sugar molecules strung together

These carbohydrate structures are found in plants, mushrooms and milk; meat contains no carbohydrates, and eggs have only a small amount. Monosaccharides and disaccharides are usually grouped together as “simple” carbohydrates, while oligosaccharides and polysaccharides are referred to as “complex” carbohydrates.

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We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have a health problem, see your own physician.