Managing diabetes can be tricky, especially for children and teenagers. A recent study investigated whether a short-term low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) could help children and young people with diabetes improve their glucose levels without increasing risks like hypoglycemia or negatively affecting their quality of life.

      In this randomized study, 35 young participants (average age of 14.5 years) followed two diets for five weeks each. One group had a low-carb diet (about 95 grams of carbs per day), while the other followed a regular-carb diet (about 191 grams of carbs per day). The ready-made meal boxes ensured that both diets had the same number of calories

      The results showed that the participants spent more time in their target glucose range while on the low-carb diet (77.1% of the time vs. 73.8% on the regular-carb diet). Their glucose levels were also more stable, and there was less time spent in hyperglycemia. Importantly, there was no increase in hypoglycemia, and glucose variability remained the same.

      Additionally, participants’ body weight and BMI were slightly lower during the low-carb period, but there were no significant changes in their cholesterol levels or their self-reported quality of life

      This study shows that a short-term low-carb diet can help young people with diabetes improve their glucose control without increasing risks or affecting how they feel.

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