If you want more information about the scientific and medical information related to the issue of carbohydrates and starch you might find the following of interest.

http://www.mercola.com/article/carbohyd … grains.htm

Low Grain and Carbohydrate Diets Treat Hypoglycemia, Heart Disease, Diabetes Cancer and Nearly ALL Chronic Illness

by Joseph Brasco, MD

I totally agree MsPablo. Each person is unique and has needs that are specific to them. Following the advice of your personal health care provider is the way to go. I also agree that it's extremely complex. Finding answers takes time, patience and a lot fo hard work. I've been struggling with this for more than 2 years and I'm still learning every day. Unless a person is going through it themselves or for a family member, they really don't understand.

I hope that your father does well and that you have all the support you need.

MsPablo wrote:

I have been making this type of food for my father because he has Diabetes.  You would want to avoid rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, pasta and breads and probably most fruits.  Beans and dairy have some carbs, if your friend's diet is quite strict, you may ask him if it's ok to include.  It's pretty safe to grill or broil fish or meat, serve with most any other vegetables and salads.  Root vegetables tend to be more starchy.  My advice is that you make a variety of colorful foods so that you won't have much if any need for rice and starchy foods.  Also, vinegar is a good thing.

Here are some sample foods that I make for my father:

Grilled chicken over mixed field greens, 'zhoozhed up' with red bell pepper, radishes, tomatoes, dressing of balsamic vinegar, olive oil and shredded parmesan/romano cheese.

Stuffed Cabbage (fill with meat and vegs, no rice) I layer with sauerkraut and cook with tomato sauce flavored with cinnamon, etc.

Some of the best choices for vegs on no or low carb diets - Cauliflower, Asparagus, Cabbage, Onions, Tomatoes, Lettuces

Sesame Slaw (serve with any fish or meat)
Equal parts red and green cabbage, finely shredded
Finely Sliced Red/Orange or Yellow Bell Pepper
Finely Sliced Red Onion
Small quantity of Apple, finely diced (you can leave this out if his diet is very strict)
Dressing - Sprinkle over the salad - Pinch of salt, Spoonful or two of Rice Wine Vinegar and Toasted Sesame Oil.

Meatloaf made without any bread filler.  Instead, I add a little tomato sauce, worsterchire, sauteed onion, garlic, two eggs, herbs.  Coat with tomato sauce to bake.

I made a version of Jamie's Spring Minestrone, you can leave out the pasta and starchy vegs and use whatever vegetables are in season.  Top with basil pesto to serve..

Homemade tomato soup, Onion soup minus the bread.

Im really not sure if Cauliflower & tomatoes are Starch free. Also be careful on how you Satuee your onions. If they caramelise it turns to starch and Worcester Sauce contains modified Starch therefore worcester sauce contains starch and is not starch free. You really need to check the labels closely.

MsPablo wrote:

Cauliflower and tomatoes are both very low on the GI index.  You can google to find some Glycemic Index charts of various foods.  Onions are fine.  This is about relative amounts, not about always consuming absolutely zero carbs.

Again, I think you are confusing Carbs with Starch. They are different beasts

Yes. Carbs are either sugar, starch or cellulose (which we can't metabolise, so it doesn't really count except as dietary fibre).

And if someone wants to avoid starch for whatever reason, fair enough, but this doesn't apply to everyone. I have no argument with starch. It's always been good to me.

Also, voluntarily avoiding starch is a completely different thing from diabetes, which means being forced to limit all carbs, both starch and sugar, but not necessarily cut them out. Advice for a low-starch diet just isn't that applicable to diabetes.