How to Start the Keto Diet if You’re Living With Type 2 Diabetes
Start by talking with your diabetes medical team, including your endocrinologist and a registered dietitian, before trying a keto diet. In addition to helping you decide if it is the right plan for you, they can check for potential issues with your medications and existing conditions.
Zanini recommends cutting carbohydrates gradually to avoid the dramatic reductions that could lead to hypoglycemia, especially if you’re on oral diabetes medications or insulin.
Continue to test your blood sugar regularly, as well. Talk to your doctor about testing your ketone levels, as the life-threatening condition diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous buildup of ketones when your body does not have enough insulin, is rare but possible with type 2 diabetes, White says.
Consume a balance of nutrients — all those important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and more — as well as the proper amount of calories and healthy fats. “Healthy fats include monounsaturated fats and omega-3s, which may help reduce inflammation in the body and improve cholesterol levels,” White says.
If you’re not sure what to reach for, ask your dietitian. “While this sounds so simple, often people are only thinking about what not to eat,” Zanini says. “They don’t pay attention to the nutritious foods they should be including, like nonstarchy vegetables, healthy monounsaturated fats, lean proteins, and more.”
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