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20–50 grams of carbohydrates per day
Dr. Fung recommends:
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Staying under 50 g/day for best remission results
This aligns with numerous clinical trials:
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Virta Health 2-year study: 54% remission
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Feinman et al. (Nutrition, 2015): low-carb improves metabolic markers more than low-fat
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Hallberg et al. (JMIR Diabetes, 2018): dramatic reductions in insulin and medications
Foods That Do NOT Raise Blood Sugar (Zero-Carb Foods)
Dr. Fung emphasizes that many foods have zero glycemic impact, making them ideal for diabetes remission.
Zero-Carb Protein Sources
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Beef, lamb, pork
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Chicken, duck, turkey, goose
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Fish (tuna, salmon, sardines)
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Shellfish (shrimp, mussels)
These foods contain no carbohydrates, meaning they do not raise blood glucose.
Foods Very Low in Carbohydrates (Excellent Choices)
Leafy Vegetables
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Spinach
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Kale
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Arugula
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Watercress
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Bok choy
Non-Starchy Vegetables
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Cauliflower
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Broccoli
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Zucchini
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Cabbage
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Bean sprouts
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Mushrooms
Dr. Fung recommends filling half your plate with leafy and non-starchy vegetables and half with protein.
Low-Carb Substitutes to Make Dieting Easier
Dr. Fung suggests practical low-carb swaps:
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Lettuce wraps (instead of bread)
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Cauliflower crust (instead of pizza dough)
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Zoodles (spiralized zucchini instead of pasta)
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Cauliflower rice (instead of white rice)
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Shirataki or konjac noodles (near zero carbs)
These simple changes dramatically reduce glucose spikes.
Monitoring and Medication Adjustment
A critical warning from Dr. Fung:
When lowering carbohydrates, blood glucose will naturally drop—sometimes too low if medication is not adjusted.
Patients must:
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Monitor blood sugar regularly
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Work with a physician
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Reduce insulin or sulfonylureas when necessary.
This is essential for safety during diabetes remission.
Mechanisms Behind Low-Carb Diet Success
1. Lower insulin levels reduce insulin resistance
Chronically high insulin drives metabolic dysfunction.
2. Liver fat decreases
Low-carb reduces hepatic fat, improving glucose storage capacity.
3. Eliminates the glucose overflow problem
Reduced carbohydrate intake prevents the “rain barrel” from spilling.
4. Improves weight loss and satiety
Protein and fats promote fullness with minimal glucose impact.
5. Stabilizes blood sugar
Fewer glucose spikes → lower inflammation and oxidative stress.
Peer-reviewed research universally supports these mechanisms.
Conclusion
Type 2 diabetes happens because the body gets filled with too much sugar. Carbohydrates turn into sugar, so the more carbs you eat, the more glucose enters your bloodstream. A low-carbohydrate diet solves the root problem by reducing sugar at its source. This approach lowers blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces the need for medication, and gives your body a chance to heal.
By focusing on protein, natural fats, leafy vegetables, and whole unprocessed foods, you can dramatically improve your diabetes. Avoiding refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, bread, rice, pasta, and snacks will help keep blood sugar stable and support long-term remission.
In simple terms:
Stop filling the “rain barrel” with more sugar, and your diabetes will improve.
What To Do
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Eat leafy and non-starchy vegetables daily
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Prioritize proteins and healthy fats
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Replace bread, rice, noodles, and cereals with low-carb alternatives
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Choose natural whole foods
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Track your blood sugar regularly
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Consult your doctor when adjusting medications
What To Avoid
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Sugary drinks and fruit juices
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Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta
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Breakfast cereals
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Cookies, crackers, and packaged snacks
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High-sugar fruits (grapes, mangoes, bananas)
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All refined carbohydrate products
Summary
A low-carbohydrate diet is one of the most effective evidence-based approaches for reversing type 2 diabetes. Based on Dr. Jason Fung’s video on diabetes remission, the core problem in type 2 diabetes is that the body becomes overloaded with glucose. Carbohydrates are the primary source of this glucose, and reducing carbohydrate intake directly lowers blood sugar. The glycemic index and glycemic load help identify which foods raise glucose levels the most. Refined carbohydrates like white bread, baguettes, and cornflakes spike blood sugar rapidly, while natural carbohydrates such as cauliflower and carrots produce much lower glycemic impact. Research from the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association confirms that low-carb diets lead to better HbA1c reduction, weight loss, and decreased medication use. Foods ideal for a low-carb plan include meats, fish, eggs, leafy vegetables, and non-starchy vegetables. Low-carb substitutes like cauliflower rice, shirataki noodles, and lettuce wraps make long-term adherence easier. Patients on diabetes medications must monitor their glucose closely to avoid hypoglycemia. Overall, low-carbohydrate nutrition directly addresses the root cause of type 2 diabetes and offers a powerful strategy for achieving remission, stabilizing blood sugar, reducing insulin resistance, and improving metabolic health.
References
Video Source
Low Carb Diets for Type 2 Diabetes Reversal – The Diabetes Code Clinic (Part 3) by Dr. Jason Fung.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWRJFTIvXuc
Scientific Journals
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Hallberg SJ et al. “Effectiveness of a low-carbohydrate diet for type 2 diabetes.” JMIR Diabetes.
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Feinman RD et al. “Dietary carbohydrate restriction as the first approach in diabetes management.” Nutrition.
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Athinarayanan SJ et al. “Long-term effects of low-carb diets on diabetes outcomes.” Frontiers in Endocrinology.
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Snorgaard O et al. “Systematic review of low-carbohydrate diets in diabetes.” BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care.
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AHA Nutrition Committee. “Scientific Statement on Low-Carbohydrate Diets.” Circulation, 2022.
