What a Systematic Review Found About Low-Carb and Mediterranean Diets for Type 1 Diabetes

People with Type 1 diabetes think carefully about food because carbohydrates affect blood sugar. But there hasn't been much solid research comparing popular eating patterns specifically for Type 1 diabetes management. A new systematic review looked at what we actually know about two diets many people discuss: low-carbohydrate diets and Mediterranean diets.

Scientists searched major medical databases and found 565 studies published through February 2026. After checking each one carefully, they included 22 studies involving 3,284 people with Type 1 diabetes. These studies had to measure either HbA1c (a marker of average blood sugar over three months) or time in range (how much time glucose stays in target), and had to follow people over time to count.

Low-carbohydrate diets—defined as eating less than 26% of daily calories from carbs or fewer than 130 grams of carbs per day—were linked to better blood sugar management. When compared to how people ate before or to usual eating patterns, low-carb approaches appeared to help improve glycemic control.

The Mediterranean diet's effects were harder to pin down. Overall, it appeared less effective at improving blood sugar management than low-carb approaches, though the picture was less clear-cut.

The researchers noted that studies using continuous glucose monitors (CGM)—which give real-time blood sugar data—generally didn't include enough people to draw strong conclusions. This means we need more research using modern glucose monitoring technology before we fully understand how these diets work in everyday Type 1 diabetes management.

Individual responses to diet vary significantly. The right eating approach for you depends on your own health, preferences, and how your body responds. Talking with your healthcare team or a diabetes educator before making major diet changes helps ensure any new approach works with your insulin regimen and personal goals.

Source: Primary care diabetes. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.