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Is Steel Cut Oatmeal Good For Diabetics


Instant Oats Or Quick Oats

Steel cut oatmeal | perfect breakfast for diabetics | helps for weight loss | healthy breakfast |

These oats are rolled oats that have gone through further processing. They have the same nutritional value as rolled oats but a higher glycemic index.

From a blood sugar perspective, this means that quick oats will hit your blood sugar the hardest of the three oat types.

Its also important to be aware that packets of instant oats often include other ingredients, such as sugar and fruit, so its important to read the nutrition label.

Can Type 1 Diabetic Patients Eat Oatmeal And Does It Spike Their Blood Sugar

If youre type 1 diabetic, that is a different story. Type 1 diabetics will know precisely how much insulin to take. thats not a bad idea actually for them to eat that oatmeal and then just take whatever they need to take because theyre already on insulin. They know exactly how much insulin to take. Some type 2 diabetics also take insulin, they are more insulin resistant.


So, again its not just about the food youre eating, how much youre eating the glycemic index of that food. Also what medications you are on matters along with how insulin resistant you are. These are the things you have to consider before you are blaming any food or yourself. dont blame yourself, just find a way to get it right. if the oatmeal is spiking your blood sugar too much and you have nothing else to replace oatmeal with then just avoid the oatmeal. I know its not the easiest thing to say and it is easier said than done but thats what it is. You can always be creative and find ways to prevent these blood sugar spikes.We can help you with your diabetes management as well.

Ahmet Ergin, MD, FACE, CDCES, ECNUEndocrinology2260 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Ste 212 Unit #7West Palm Beach, Florida

Almonds Are Super Healthy Too

Almonds are also a low-glycemic food that lowers that troublesome blood sugar. Although almonds are high in fat, studies have proven that those who eat them frequently are actually thinner than the average population who rarely consume nuts.

Other benefits include keeping bones and teeth healthy, protecting your arteries and supporting brain activity which is also preventative of Alzheimer’s and similar to cinnamon. So put these foods together and you have an incredibly nutritious breakfast.

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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.

Overnight Oats Can Improve Cognitive Functioning

Manna Oats (1kg Jar)

Not only are overnight oats good for diabetics but it also helps in boosting your brain functioning.

A number of studies suggest that B vitamins can enhance brain functioning.

One of the studies showed a vitamin B deficiency can cause major cognitive disorders. Thus including vitamin B with the help of overnight oats can protect you from memory loss and brain disability.


A clinical trial on patients with Alzheimers proved that a regular intake of Vitamin B can control toxic levels of homocysteine in the blood, which helps in reducing brain shrinkage, atrophy, and other cognitive disorders.

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Steel Cut Oats Are Naturally Gluten Free

Steel cut oats do not naturally contain gluten, which makes them a great option for individuals trying to stick to a gluten free diet. Just be careful and check labels, because sometimes oats could be processed with other grains that do contain gluten and suffer from cross-contamination.

Make sure to check labels to see if the steel cut oats you buy have been processed with any other materials, or look for steel cut oats that are clearly labeled as gluten free oats.

The Best Oatmeal For Diabetes

Pictured recipe: Steel-Cut Oatmeal


Unfortunately, it’s easy to get caught up in making a not-so-healthy bowl, if you choose a packet of flavored instant oats or top your bowl with a hefty scoop of brown sugar and raisins, which also make the carb content skyrocket.

To make the best bowl of oats if you have diabetes, follow these tips from Cipullo:

Go for steel-cut. Steel-cut oats or Irish oatmeal are less refined and more wholesome, which decreases their glycemic load, says Cipullo. These varieties “help guarantee the oats take more time and effort for the body to break down and absorb,” she says.

Pair with protein. Plain Greek yogurt offers an additional 12 grams of protein per 1/2 cup to slow the rise in blood sugar. Or, stir in nut butter, a trick that gives the oatmeal a rich flavor, creamier texture and extra protein. When shopping for nut butter, buy a “natural” version that’s made with only nuts . Another option is a protein powder, like whey protein.

Top with fat. If you didn’t already use nut butter as your protein source, now’s a good time to add in slivered almonds or crushed peanuts, which offer heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. Another great option, says Cipullo, is unsweetened coconut flakes.


Dust on cinnamon. Ditch the brown sugar or maple syrup, and go for cinnamon instead. The spice not only sweetens sans calories and carbs, but it also will help lower after-meal blood sugar, says Cipullo.

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Overnight Oats Can Fight Hormone Imbalance

Overnight oats contain zinc which plays an important part in regulating your hormones.

When you have balanced hormones you can fight a number of illnesses such as thyroid, irregular menstruation, insulin resistance, and even cancer.

Studies suggest that zinc in overnight oats can help in the production of active sex hormones in both men and women.


It can bring testosterone levels back to normal as high testosterone levels can lead to androgen resistance or cancer.

These were some benefits of overnight oats. You can see not only areovernight oats good for diabetes but they also help in fighting multiple diseases.

We hope these benefits cleared your doubts on are overnight oats good for diabetics.

If you have decided to incorporate overnight oats into your daily diet then you must be looking for an interesting and fun diabeticovernight oats recipe.

Well! You hit the jackpot!


Here are some recipes for the best overnight oats for diabetics.

Can A Diabetic Eat Oatmeal

Is Oatmeal Good for Diabetes? Do Oats Spike Blood Sugar? Is Oatmeal Good for Diabetics? Oat Benefits

There is no such thing as a single “perfect” diabetic diet, and neither is there a ONE food that works for everyone. Oatmeal is a good source of nutrition for diabetics but also needs to be eaten with care as oatmeal is still mainly a source of carbohydrates.

It’s worth knowing that around 8 of these carbohydrates grams are in the form of dietary fiber, which may help to prevent blood glucose levels from spiking. With that in mind, eating oats in moderation and adhering to a meal plan that is appropriate for diabetes is still crucial.

If you have diabetes, eating a bowl of oatmeal with hot water some type of healthy low-fat milk or greek yogurt every morning before you eat any other snacks will be beneficial in treating your condition because it is packed with nutrients that will protect against inflammation and help regulate your insulin response when paired with a nutritious diet plan.

As long as you eat steel-cut oats that are not prepackaged or instant oatmeal with added sweeteners, oatmeal is generally safe to include in your diet plan if you have diabetes, just make sure it doesn’t contain any added sugars and salt. Don’t add sweeteners that contain many calories like honey, syrup, or brown sugar.


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Are Oatmeals Low Glycemic Index Food

Oatmeal for diabetics

Yes and no. Steel-cut oatmeal is a low glycemic index because it is absorbed more slowly so that oatmeal does not necessarily spike your blood sugar quickly. Yet, it will still spike your blood sugar its just not as quick. Thats a good thing because if youre taking medications, they sometimes take time to get into your blood, and if your blood sugar spikes so fast before drugs kick in and that will be a problem, right?The Glycemic index of the steel-cut oatmeals is good there its below 55. On the other hand, not every oatmeal is the same. you have to really understand that now the best thing you can have is steel-cut oatmeal which takes almost 30 minutes to cook. my best suggestion for that would be an instapot or something like a pressure cooker that can cook oatmeal within less than five minutes. its still not going to be one minute like the instant oatmeal which probably most people do eat especially if youre working, trying to get to work, etc. Although instant oatmeal still keeps the nutritional value oatmeal loses all of its fibers because it is heavily processed. So I would not recommend eating oatmeal that is not steel-cut oatmeal. That includes rolled oats, instant oats, and any other oats out there.

Steel Cut Oats Have A Low Glycemic Index

Another benefit of steel cut oats is that they rank fairly low on the glycemic index. The glycemic index gives foods a numerical value that tells you how it impacts your blood sugar when you consume carbohydrates. The lower the food is on the glycemic index, the better. Steel cut oats weigh in at a 55, which means their potential to spike your blood sugar to unhealthy levels is minimal.

People who suffer from health conditions like diabetes or prediabetes can consume carbohydrates that are low on the glycemic index, and this can help them avoid dangerous spikes in their blood sugar levels.


This makes steel cut oats a very good choice for individuals who must keep a close watch on their glucose.

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Whats The Deal With Oat Types

Remember that not all oats are created equal. They all start off as oat groats but are then cut and processed into different varieties, which affect their cooking time and nutritional value.

Most oats are a good source of fibre and plant-based protein. But some also have a lower glycemic index which means theyll have less impact on your blood sugar levels. Find more information on GI impact here.

When buying oats, always check the label to ensure youre getting the most benefit from your oatmeal. Be sure to store oats in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh.


Steel Cut Oats Vs Rolled Oats

Manna Oats (1kg x 3 Jars)  Gluten Free Steel Cut Rolled ...

All oats are a whole grain that contain a significant serving of the nutrition and fiber a body needs to keep it running optimally. Metric per metric, rolled oats and steel cut oats are almost the same when it comes to nutritional value. However, steel cut oats beat out rolled oats in two areas, fiber content and density, which make steel cut oats the best bang for your nutritional buck.

Whole grain oats, sometimes referred to as oat kernels, are made up of three parts: the germ, the brand, and the endosperm. When oats are referred to as groats, it means they are whole grain oat kernels without a husk. Sometimes these oat kernels with no husk are simply called “oat groats.”

Steel cut oats are made by taking the oat groats and cutting them into 2 to 3 smaller pieces using a steel blade. Steel cut oats are also sometimes called Irish oats. Toasting steel cut oats gives them a delicious nutty flavor that sets them apart from other types of oats. Steel cut oats are also more coarse than other types of oats and tend to be chewier. This gives them a hearty texture that is very filling, but it does mean they require longer soaking and cooking times. However, they are still good to use in an overnight oats recipe.

Rolled oats are made by flattening and steaming them rather than cutting them with a steel blade. As a result, rolled oats require less cook time than steel cut oats and are sometimes called “old-fashioned” rolled oats.

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How Do I Lower My A1c Fast

Since exercise prompts your muscles to take up sugar from your bloodstream, it helps your blood sugar levels drop more quickly after you eat a meal. As you make exercise a regular habit, youll see a downward trend in your A1c numbers. Never miss your meds. You can reliably lower your A1c through diet and exercise.

What Is A Good Dinner For A Diabetic

  • Chicken Veggie Stir-Fry. Liz’s Healthy Table. …
  • Vegetarian Lentil Tacos. Cooking Classy. …
  • Banh Mi Chicken Burger Lettuce Wraps. Diabetic Foodie. …
  • Summer Tomato and Zucchini Quinoa Pizza. Simply Quinoa. …
  • Mediterranean Grilled Salmon Kabobs. Erhardt’s Eat. …
  • Easy Quinoa Salad. Two Peas & Their Pod. …
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup.

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Is Oatmeal Good For Diabetics

Here are a few common questions and concerns that we always receive around oatmeal and diabetes:

Do u know if eating oatmeal is good for diabetics?

I make steel cut oats in the morning and put in honey some chia seeds, walnuts, half an apple and pumpkin or other seeds if I have them is this enough to balance out the sugar?


My sugars go crazy when I eat oatmeal but I was told by a dietitian to eat it.

Im confused, can I eat oatmeal, not the packaged kind?

Should You Eat Oatmeal If You Live With Diabetes

Nisha’s Diabetic Kitchen – Instant Oats Dosa (Using Steel Cut Oats)

Just as there is no such thing as a single best diabetic diet there is not ONE food that works for everyone, and that also applies to oatmeal.

Oatmeal has a lot of great health benefits and studies have shown that oatmeal can be beneficial for people living with pre-diabetes as well as type 2 diabetes.

But ultimately were all different and how your blood sugars react to eating oatmeal might be different from how my blood sugars react, so its important that you learn what works for you.

That means measuring your blood sugars before and after you enjoy your oatmeal to gain an understanding of how it affects your blood sugar.

Once youve done that a few times, you can make an informed decision on whether oatmeal is the right choice for your daily breakfast or just something to be enjoyed occasionally.

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Topping Dos And Donts For A Diabetes

If you want a sweet bowl of oatmeal and some toppings, add fresh fruit, rather than dried fruit, which has a much higher GL. . Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are good for those with type 2 diabetes and add fiber, protein, and healthy types of fat to your meal. But keep your portions small, as these are high in calories and fat.

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For her own bowl of oatmeal, Kaufman says, I usually love to add raspberries or blueberries into my oatmeal in order to add even more fiber than just the oats themselves. Ground flaxseed is a nutritious way to top off any bowl of oatmeal with added benefits of fiber and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, says the Mayo Clinic.

When deciding on oatmeal, you want to stay away from any with added sweeteners, cautions Kaufman. Quick oats are often laden with added sweeteners to create flavors such as Maple and Brown Sugar or Peach, all of which you should avoid with type 2 diabetes. If you must use sweeteners other than fruit, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following:

Relieving And Preventing Constipation

If you’re feeling a little blocked up down there, adding steel cut oatmeal to your daily routine could help. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get 25 to 31 grams of fiber each day. In addition to the benefits listed above, the 5 grams of fiber in one serving of steel-cut oats can help prevent or relieve constipation. Just make sure to drink plenty of water as well, since water binds with soluble fiber and makes your stool softer and easier to pass.

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Is Oatmeal Good For Diabetes

The whole grain can help improve blood sugar control. Here’s how to create the perfect bowl.

Pictured recipe:Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats

Oatmeal is a classic breakfastand if you have diabetes, there’s no reason to hesitate before sitting down to a steaming bowl of oats in the morning. In fact, it’s truly one of the best breakfasts for people with diabetes. Better yet, we have ample oatmeal recipes for diabetes. Here we break down everything you need to know about oatmeal and diabetes.

Which Oatmeal Is Best For People Living With Diabetes

Is Steel Cut Oatmeal Good For Diabetics

Oatmeal can be made of different types of oats, and when it comes to blood sugar management, they are not all created equal.

Generally, the type of oats you want to choose for your oatmeal should be the least processed and have a relatively low glycemic index .

The glycemic index of a food tells you how quickly its converted into glucose in the bloodstream. If you live with diabetes and are looking for fewer blood sugar spikes, you will ideally want to choose foods with a lower GI.

Pure glucose has a GI of 100 and oatmeal made with rolled oats or steel-cut oats has a GI of 53-55 while oatmeal made from more processes oats such as instant oats has a GI of 75.

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