Effects of the carbohydrate composition of a low-protein meal on the postprandial responses of plasma glucose and insulin in diabetic patients.

We determined whether, in 15 diabetic patients, a conventional low-protein diet containing a high proportion of mono- and disaccharides would lead to a deterioration of postprandial glucose metabolism. Three different test meals were given on 3 different days. We found that a high proportion of simple carbohydrates, when consumed as a low-protein meal, aggravated the postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. The substitution of complex carbohydrates for simple sugars in the meal suppressed postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.