The IPTN is thrilled to be the sponsor and website host for a new guide to help dietitians and nutritionists support people with type 1 diabetes who want to manage their blood sugar with a lower-carbohydrate approach.
An international team of experts created the world’s first evidence-based guide for safe and effective therapeutic carbohydrate reduction (TCR) in type 1 Diabetes to improve blood glucose control.
This innovative free resource, Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction in Type 1 Diabetes: A Guide for Dietitians and Nutritionists, addresses a longstanding information gap by providing practical guidance and skills that support both health professionals and people living with type 1 diabetes.
Publicly released on November 14, World Diabetes Day, the guide is timely, as both the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes Canada have acknowledged that reducing overall carbohydrate intake is the approach with the strongest evidence for improving high blood glucose levels. However, until now, people with type 1 diabetes and their healthcare providers have lacked comprehensive resources to help implement this approach safely and effectively.
“Individuals and families living with type 1 diabetes are longing for blood glucose stability; nutrition therapy is one tool in the diabetes toolbox to provide that stability and make diabetes easier to manage,” said Dr. Caroline Roberts, a US endocrinologist who was one of the five international authors of the guide. “However, the absence of clinical guidelines on therapeutic carbohydrate reduction presents a unique hurdle to providing this therapy. This guide fills that gap.” Along with Dr. Roberts, the other four authors were Canadian certified nutrition specialist Beth McNally (MS, CNS, LDN) ; Australian dietitian and diabetes educator Amy Rush, (RD, LD, CDE); US low-carb dietitian Franziska Spritzler, (RD, LD, CDE); and US metabolic research scientist Dr. Andrew Koutnik, (PhD).
The guide provides essential information on using TCR therapy for dietitians and nutritionists and empowers them to work collaboratively with individuals and families who are interested in reducing carbohydrates as part of a personalized dietary approach.
It supports a range of lower carbohydrate eating patterns, meeting diverse dietary needs and preferences, while providing strategies to enhance blood sugar control, minimize blood sugar swings, and reduce insulin requirements—all while maintaining a delicious and nutritious diet.
The guide also includes practical tools, such as a low-carb shopping list, low-carbdrate meal plans, and detailed instructions for adjusting insulin dosing in response to carbohydrate reduction.
Along with the work of the five authors, the guide's development and review involved other health professionals from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia with expertise in carbohydrate reduction and type 1 diabetes, many of whom are also individuals living with type 1 diabetes, ensuring a comprehensive and relatable approach.
This pioneering guide was made possible through the sponsorship and coordination of the Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition (IPTN) and the free, downloadable guide now will be housed here on the IPTN website.
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