The Fallacy of Portion Control and “Balanced” Diet for Type 2 Diabetics

In this note the use of portion control and “balanced” diet for type 2 diabetics is examined.

1 gm Carb   = 4 calories

1gm Protein = 4 calories

1 gm Fat      = 9 calories

There are slight variations in the medical/nutritional guidelines for a balanced diet but most agree it is of the order of 45-55% carbs, 10-30% protein and 25-35% fat each day. In this note a balanced diet in the middle of the above guidelines - 50 % carbs, 20% protein and 30% fat - will be used.[Other % within the above guidelines could be used without changing the major conclusions reached below]. Assuming a male requiring 2500 calories per day, Table 1 below shows the calories per day and gm per day required per day for each food type.

Table 1

		Food Type
	Carb	Protein	Fat
Balance %	50	20	30
Calories per Day	1250	500	750
Gm per Day	312.5	125	83.3

Consider now a male type 2 diabetic controlling his blood glucose levels by portion control to a low carb intake of 50 gm per day with a balanced low portion intake of protein and fat. Table 2 below shows the gm per day and calories per day for “balancing” the 50 gm of carb with other food types in the 50%, 20% and 30% balance.

Table 2

		Food Type
	Carb	Protein	Fat
Balance %	50	20	30
Gm per Day	50	20	13.3
Calories per Day	200	80	120

Thus, a male type 2 diabetic on a low carb (50gm per day) balanced diet has a calorific intake of 400 calories per day.

You can draw your own conclusions regarding type 2 diabetics claiming portion control and balanced diets of the kind promoted by the medical/nutritional guidelines.

John