What Is The Glycemic Index Of Milk
The glycemic index is a number that represents how quickly a food will cause your blood glucose levels to rise. The glycemic index of whole milk is around 31 and the glycemic load is 4, which isn’t too bad! This means that drinking milk won’t cause the same spike in blood sugars as many other types of foods with many carbohydrates do.
The important thing to remember when you drink dairy products like milk or eat yogurt is not to overdo it because these foods can still raise your blood sugars if eaten excessively and/or without exercise afterward.
Pros Of Oatmeal For Diabetes
Adding oatmeal to your diet to help manage diabetes has both pros and cons. The pros of adding oatmeal to your diabetes eating plan include:
- It can help regulate blood sugar, thanks to the moderate to high fiber content and lower glycemic index.
- Its heart-healthy due to its soluble fiber content and the fact it can lower cholesterol.
- It may reduce the need for insulin injections when eaten in place of other carbohydrate-rich breakfast foods.
- If cooked ahead, it can be a quick and easy meal.
- Its moderately high in fiber, making you feel full longer and helping with weight management.
- Its a good source of long-term energy.
- It can help regulate digestion.
Which Milk Has The Least Amount Of Sugar
Milk has a lot of nutrients so it’s important to drink milk but you need to know which kind of milk is best for diabetics. Low-fat or skim milk has the least amount of sugar while whole milk contains more fat and calories so this would not be a good choice for diabetics who are trying to lose weight. There are also a lot of different varieties like almond milk, flax milk, coconut milk, or goat milk which can be a healthier choice depending on your preference.
The following is a list of milk’s nutritional values, as seen on the USDA website. All cup sizes are for 1 cup, or 8 ounces, of milk:
- Fiber: 0.5-1 g
- Protein: 1.55 g
Don’t Miss: Diabetes And Orthostatic Hypotension
Glycemic Index Of Oats And Oatmeal
Glycemic index is just another indication of how different foods influence blood glucose on a 0 to 100 scale. The lower the number, the lower GI. Foods under 55 are generally considered low GI, while those over 55 are considered high GI foods.
The GI of oats and oatmeal according to The University of Sydneys Glycemic Index:
- Uncooked rolled oats GI 59, 30 g serve, 19 g carbs.
- Traditional porridge oats, made from whole oats GI 51-58, 250 g serve, ~21 g carbs.
- Oat Bran/ Quaker oats GI 50-60, 10 g serve, 5-6 g carbs.
- Quick oats/ One minute oats/ instant porridge GI 65-66, 250 g serve, 26 g carbs,.
- Instant oatmeal porridge, from packet GI 83, 250 g serve, 23 g carbs.
Why Oat Milk Might Not Be The Best Choice If You Have Diabetes
Oat milk is a popular plant-based milk that is a favorite among vegans and people with issues digesting dairy. Its mild flavor and creamy texture makes it ideal for people who aren’t fans of the stronger flavor of almond milk. While oat milk has many health benefits, it isn’t great for everyone. According to Eat This, Not That!, oat milk often contains added sugar that can raise your blood sugar levels quickly when you drink it.
Oat milk is also higher in carbs than milk made from nuts. This is not inherently bad, but carbs can also raise your blood sugar and people with diabetes should be aware when consuming drinks that contain carbs and sugar. If you have diabetes, you may want to drink oat milk sparingly and try small amounts at a time. You should also drink unsweetened oat milk when possible to avoid added sugar. Eating fiber can also mitigate some of the effects of sugar and carbohydrates in the body.
Also Check: What Does High Blood Sugar Do To Your Body
Recommendation On Oats And Oatmeal For Type 2 Diabetes
The truth is that oats and oatmeal could be okay for you some people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can eat it. But, it is a higher carb food and for that reason, many people cant tolerate it.
In general we encourage a low carb diet, and therefore recommend eliminating or dramatically reducing all grain-based foods such as oats and oatmeal, because doing so yields better results.
If youre struggling to get and keep your blood sugar under control, you might consider eliminating the oats and oatmeal and opting for a lower carb breakfast. Eggs, nut-based cereals, and vegetables provide nutritional value without all the blood sugar headaches.
Drinking Oat Milk Is Good For Your Thyroid
The thyroid gland, located in your neck, is critical for proper body function.
It helps regulate your metabolism and impacts energy levels, body temperature, and even your mood. The selenium and vitamin B contained in oat milk help support proper thyroid function.
Doctors recommend regulating your diets glycemic impact to address thyroid issues. Since oats are a low-glycemic food that doesnt have a negative impact on your blood sugar levels, they may help your body restore its natural hormone levels.
Under-active thyroid, also called hypothyroidism, can cause constipation. The high fiber content in oat milk also helps address this symptom.
You May Like: Does Metformin Build Up In Your System
Should You Stop Drinking Oat Milk
Good news: If you love oat milk, theres no reason to stop drinking it. Just like anything else, consuming oat milk in moderation isnt terrible, Shapiro says. If youre having it often, the key is being more judicious about which brand you choose. You want to have the fewest ingredients. Look for unsweetened varieties that are free from gums, thickeners, and oils. Her personal recommendation is Elmhurst.
Regueiro adds choosing organic oat milk is also a good choice. Conventional oat crops are sprayed with pesticides, she says. I would also look for an option that doesnt contain canola , as this causes inflammation in the body. Shes a big fan of Planet Oat and MALK.
Research On Oatmeal And Type 2 Diabetes
The research around oats/ oatmeal for type 2 diabetes treatment does show mixed results.
A review in Food and Function, 2016, looked at a range of studies but only 4 of those studies included type 2 diabetic patients. An important point to raise is that the results concluded from studies in those without diabetes is NOT necessarily going to result in the same conclusions in people who already have diabetes.
Diabetes prevention and diabetes treatment are two completely different things. Yet in many cases the two terms are used interchangeably. Take note of this if youre reading things and you will start to see that much of the information around is about diabetes prevention, rather than treatment.
Anyway, back to the Food and Function review they found an average reduction of in fasting glucose for the overall studies, but interestingly, this was only found significant in Asian subgroups, NOT Western. When subgrouping the diabetics alone, this result was higher at 15.12 mg/dl .
Another review in Nutrients, 2015, showed that in general, compared to control groups, those eating oats have lower cholesterol levels and lower fasting glucose .
However, the authors note that glucose levels at baseline were high an average HbA1c 9.87% and average fasting blood glucose 179.82 mg/dl/ 9.99 mmol/L. And because both diets were low on energy, they suggest that oats consumption might show its benefits especially when the general energy intake was low.
Recommended Reading: Ripe Banana And Diabetes
What Are The Good Benefits Of Consuming Oatmeal For Diabetes
Oats provide many health benefits including but not limited to:
- Improves cholesterol levels
- Maintains blood sugar levels
How much should I eat per day?
The amount of oatmeal you need depends on your age, gender, height and activity level. The recommended daily intake is 2 cups of cooked oatmeal per day. This includes both quick-cooking and instant varieties.
Do You Suffer From Increased Intestinal Permeability
When the intestinal lining is damaged, the tight junctions between the intestinal wall and the bloodstream can no longer prevent incompletely digested proteins, bacteria or bacterial fragments from leaking out into the bloodstream. When these substances reach the bloodstream, they trigger the immune system and can send it into overdrive.
It is possible that the immune system will also respond to potential allergens found in milk such as alpha-casein, beta-casein, butyrophilin and casamorphin. For this reason, individuals with a compromised intestinal lining will probably have adverse reactions such as bloating, diarrhea and heartburn if they consume milk.
You May Like: Otc Insulin Walmart
Carbs Sugars And Extras
Oat milk is made from water and oats, but manufacturers may add other ingredients, including sunflower oil, sweeteners like cane sugar, and thickening agents. Silk Vanilla Oat Milk, for example, contains 7 grams of added sugars. Oatly! Chocolate Oatmilk has 10 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of which are added sugars. Even a cup of unsweetened oat milk, like Planet Oat Oatmilk, has 19 grams of carbs compared to just one gram of carbs in unsweetened almond milk like Almond Breeze.
Carbohydrates in plant milks are not exactly a bad thing, as long as you are aware that they’re there, notes Zanini. “The problem is a lot of people consume foods they think are healthy but actually aren’t good for our blood sugar,” she says.
“Out here in California, people drink huge smoothies and order these big acai bowls and feel that they are being healthy, but all those things are really high in natural sugars. Even foods made from cauliflower often have potato starch and other things added that are detrimental to our blood sugar.”
READ MORE: 20 “Healthy“ Foods Ruining Your Weight Loss Goals
The Initial Causes Oat Milk And Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition in many people. This type is caused by a lack of insulin and is a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. The bodys inability to process glucose from the blood can damage many parts of the body, including the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to avoid diabetes. Here are five tips to help you lower your risk: Eat more vegetables and fruits, get regular exercise, and avoid smoking.
High levels of triglycerides in the blood are another factor that can cause diabetes. These triglycerides are caused by a buildup of cholesterol in the blood. A high triglyceride level causes the body to misrepresent insulin as a molecule, which causes glucose to build up in the blood. A simple blood glucose test can confirm your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. By following these tips, you can begin living a healthy life and avoid the complications of diabetes.
A person with type 2 diabetes must consume less sugar. Glucose causes thirst and dehydration because the body releases energy stores into the bloodstream instead of using insulin. If untreated, diabetes can lead to weight loss and diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition whereby the cells are deprived of energy. To prevent the condition, you must make sure that your diet is low in glycemic load and that you exercise regularly.
Don’t Miss: Somatostatin And Insulin
How Oatmeal Impacts Your Blood Sugar
Whether or not oatmeal will spike your blood sugar depends on which type of oat you choose and how your body reacts to oatmeal.
Were all different and how we react to eating certain types of food can differ from person to person. This is why its important that you use a glucose meter or CGM to measure your blood after eating to learn how you react to different types of food.
You can read When Should You Check Your Blood Sugar to learn more about when and how often to check.
Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist Ariel Warren suggests that you aim for your blood sugars to be below 140 mg/dL 1-2 hours after finishing a meal.
If you need a slightly looser regimen, aim for less than 180 mg/dL 1-2 hours after eating.
If you see that your blood sugar is higher than 140-180 mg/dL 1-2 hours after finishing your oatmeal, oatmeal might not be a good option for you, or you might want to experiment with smaller portion sizes or a different amount of insulin if thats how you manage your diabetes.
Certain conditions, such as Gastroparesis, can also make it a bit more challenging to enjoy high fiber foods such as oatmeal.
Although oatmeal generally is considered a good type of food for people living with diabetes, you have to consider your overall health.
What You Need To Know About Diabetes Oat Milk And Diabetes
One of the most common signs of diabetes is excessive thirst. You may also feel more hungry and pee more than usual. Its important to check your blood sugar as soon as you start to notice these symptoms. If your blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL, you should immediately eat 15 grams of carbohydrates. Then, check it again fifteen minutes later. If you cant eat that much carbohydrate at once, you can try oral glucose.
Despite the many complications of type 1 diabetes, you can still find ways to manage it. By reading about diabetes, youll be better prepared to live a healthy and happy life. You can avoid diabetes by making healthy choices. In fact, there are many treatments available for type 1 diabetes. In some cases, a patient may even experience an improvement in their overall health after the transplant. In some cases, you can even reverse your diabetes through a simple procedure.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. Most people with type 1 diabetes have type 2 diabetes. They both require insulin to regulate their blood sugar. If youre overweight, you may have type 2 diabetes. If youre concerned about diabetes, its important to learn about it. Your doctor can provide you with more information on your condition, including tips on how to cope with it. You should never be afraid to ask questions. Just remember, youll have to answer them. Youre not alone.
Don’t Miss: Does Black Coffee Trigger Insulin
Is Oatmeal A Carbohydrate
One of the main reasons why it can be a little hard to wrap your head around whether oatmeal is good for people living with diabetes is that its a carbohydrate and many people living with diabetes manage their carbohydrate intake tightly to keep blood sugars in a healthy range.
Carbs are the nutrient in food that converts to glucose the fastest and can therefore have a dramatic impact on blood sugars.
Often when we think of carbs, we think of bread, candy, and soda but in reality, most foods contain carbs and will impact blood sugars to some degree.
And the same thing applies to oats. While oats contain very limited natural sugars, it is a carbohydrate and it will impact blood sugars to some degree.
Maltose The Type Of Natural Sugar In Oat Milk Has A Higher Glycemic Index
The complaint about oat milk is that is contains several grams of added sugar on the label. That’s despite the ingredients list showing nothing but oats, oil, salt, and vitamins.
The sugar is the natural result of processing the oats. Enzymes added during production break down the natural oat starches into sugar, creating the sweet taste people expect from oat milk.
While the original tweet and article was specifically addressing the brand Oatly, this is true of most commercially available varieties.
Also Check: Metformin Blurry Vision
Can I Drink Milk To Lower My Blood Sugar Levels
Yes, a study found that if you drink milk with higher protein content, there is a chance it can help to lower blood sugar levels. One study showed that eating high-carbohydrate meals with milk reduced the rise in glucose more than when carbs were eaten alone!
This may be due to the fact that milk slows down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates into your body which reduces how fast insulin spikes are released after you eat. A slower release means lower blood sugars for longer periods of time instead of an immediate spike followed by an extremely low drop-off.
Do Your Blood Glucose Levels Spike After Drinking Milk
The best way to find out is to check your blood glucose levels prior to consuming milk and about 30 minutes afterwards.
As you might have guessed, avoiding milk is a good idea if you suffer from milk allergies, severe lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, if your blood glucose levels rise too much after you consume milk or if you have an unhealthy gut.
Don’t Miss: Metformin. Side Effects
What If You Dont Know Whether You Can Tolerate Milk Or Not
The best approach would be to completely eliminate milk and dairy products for 30 days and then reintroduce one dairy product at a time to see whether you react to that product or not. For instance, you could start with clarified butter followed by butter, yoghurt and finally milk. Try to consume one item at a time for a week before moving to the next item.
Oat Milk May Help Lessen With Childhood Asthma Symptoms
Childhood asthma is often related to dietary issues, rather than outside contaminants.
Consumption of cows milk has been shown to be one of the biggest culprits. Not only does it increase mucus production in the lungs, many children may actually have un-diagnosed milk allergies difficult to detect at an early age.
A diet free of animal milk products is often very effective in reducing childhood asthma symptoms. When I researched why it was that giving up meat relieved my migraines, I met many people who suffered childhood asthma symptoms, to lesser or greater degrees, because of cows milk.
Since oat milk is a healthy alternative to cows milk, asthmatic children can almost surely benefit from the change.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Max Dose Of Metformin