Diabetes and Low-Carb Living - Do they get it right?

I started thinking along these lines this morning after reading Laura Dolson's interesting article re a possible softening of the ADA's stance on low-carb diets.  It's a cheek as my friend, Barbara Goldstein, said that the ADA can pretend that they never suggested a high carb diet for people with diabetes, when all the evidence suggests otherwise.  Hmmm - I agree with Barbo, having produced two Splenda Cookbooks that were specifically geared for people with diabetes.  That was 18 years ago and the guidelines I followed did not key on carbohydrates, but fat was definitely the villain! 

Image via Wikipedia

I found this site for Diabetic Living that has a magazine they put out.  They mention 17 low-carb snacks - yummy!  Only problem is when I took a closer look, those snacks (not meals) in of themselves contained at least 15 to 20 grams of carbs and the emphasis is still on light yogurt and low fat milk.  Get this one - 3 graham cracker squares for 20 grams of carbohydrate!  (what a non-nutrient snack), popcorn, apples, oranges, peanut butter and whole wheat bread or half an English muffin (at least it was half - but who can stop there once one gets an insulin rush?), cheese and a bit of apple.  Here's a better snack - strawberries and cottage cheese (oh wait a bit - low fat cottage cheese!).  One cup of grapes - whew a lot of sugar for someone who has problems with their carbohydrate metabolism - no protein or fat to balance that out either!  Cereal, peanut butter and crackers and carrots, pita bread and hummus rounds up the snacks.  I don't know - I think they could have done much better, especially since we're talking about people who have diabetes!

To be fair, their low-carb meals looked much better - the few that I glanced at. So maybe they're getting there like Laura suggests.  It certainly would help so many people live happier, healthier lives.  About time!