Top 10 low-carb and keto news posts of 2020

Happy New Year, Diet Doctor readers! We’re wishing you a healthy and happy 2021.

Before diving into the New Year, we’d like to first take a look back at our top 10 most popular news posts from 2020.

Within these articles, we explored noteworthy topics in the low-carb sphere. Many of them addressed commonly asked questions from low carbers. And oftentimes, we covered the latest science to try and help you make sense of it.

Is sugar-free soda really better for you? Do carbohydrates and elevated insulin contribute to weight gain and metabolic disease? Can you guess what diet the CEO of the American Diabetes Association follows? These articles will answer all these questions — plus more.

Keep reading to check out our top news posts from 2020 — and please be sure to visit our newsfeed in 2021, where we’ll keep you up to date on all-things low carb and keto.

1. 6 tips for low-carb COVID-19 preparedness

In this news post from March 2020, we presented Diet Doctor’s six top recommendations for how to keep healthy and low-carb during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these tips are still applicable as we head into 2021.

2. Breaking news: American Diabetes Association CEO manages her diabetes with a low-carb diet

Here’s some highly encouraging news: the influential CEO of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is on the record as a low-carb eater. This news post was the second most read by DD users in 2020.

3. No, you take it

When the pandemic hit, many feared they’d run out of daily necessities like toilet paper. As a result, many supermarkets were left with empty shelves as people began to stock up.

Diet Doctor’s Kristie Sullivan shares an experience she had at the supermarket, where she offered a fellow shopper the last pack of toilet paper. “Sometimes when there’s less, there is still plenty to share,” Kristie said.

4. Low-carb diets reduce uric acid which may signify less insulin resistance

This year, DD readers found this news article by Dr. Bret Scher, MD, to be interesting. In it, Dr. Scher explains a study that shows how low-carb diets reduce uric acid levels and improve cardiac risk factors as well as low-fat and Mediterranean diets.

5. Study: Effects of replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with no-sugar alternatives

Another popular news post from 2020 aims to answer this question: “Can replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with either sugar-free or unsweetened beverages decrease heart health risk factors, prevent weight gain, and reduce preferences for sweet tastes?”

6. Observational study suggests low-carb diets are associated with higher coronary calcium scores

This November 2020 news post takes a close look at an observational study, which concludes that low-carb diets and animal-based foods are associated with greater progression of coronary calcium scores.

On the surface, this sounds very concerning for those following low-carb diets. However, rest assured that this study does not use an accurate definition of low carb, so it is flawed from the start.

7. Scientific assessment of contraindications to a keto diet

At Diet Doctor, we write a lot about the science supporting potential metabolic, weight loss, and other benefits of low-carb and keto diets. We also highlight potential side effects and suggest ways to prevent or manage them. But what about absolute contraindications to starting a very low-carb or keto diet? Allow this highly read news post from July 2020 to explain.

8. Carbs and insulin DO matter for weight gain

Do carbohydrates and elevated insulin levels contribute to weight gain and metabolic disease? This news post, which was 8th most read during 2020, explores this question.

9. A changing landscape for low-carb diets

Is low carb good or bad? After many years of being considered “fad” diets, low-carb and keto diets are regaining their place in mainstream nutrition. Read this article by Diet Doctor’s Adele Hite, PhD, MPH, RD, to learn more.

10. Is more fasting always better?

In the #10 spot is another fascinating piece by Dr. Scher. This article explains that there’s little difference between a daily 18-hour or 20-hour intermittent fast (time-restricted eating), according to recent science. Both show weight loss and a reduction in insulin resistance. Read here to learn more.