What Are Good Carbs For Diabetics

What Is The Best Diabetes Bread

While bread is widely eaten across the world, it should be chosen wisely, especially if you have diabetes.

After all, giving up food is not easy to pull off. The best option is to pick a bread that helps regulate the blood sugar to healthy levels. If made of whole grains such as oats and wheat bran, it will be the best bread for people with diabetes.

A Guide To Healthy Low Carb Eating With Diabetes

Nizam Khan Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects many people across the globe.

Currently, more than 400 million people have diabetes worldwide .

Although diabetes is a complicated disease, maintaining good blood sugar levels can greatly reduce the risk of complications .

One of the ways to achieve better blood sugar levels is to follow a low carb diet.

This article provides a detailed overview of very low carb diets for managing diabetes.

With diabetes, the body cant effectively process carbohydrates.

Normally, when you eat carbs, theyre broken down into small units of glucose, which end up as blood sugar.

When blood sugar levels go up, the pancreas responds by producing the hormone insulin. This hormone allows blood sugar to enter cells.

In people without diabetes, blood sugar levels remain within a narrow range throughout the day. For those who have diabetes, however, this system doesnt work in the same way.

This is a big problem, because having both too high and too low blood sugar levels can cause severe harm.

There are several types of diabetes, but the two most common ones are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both of these conditions can occur at any age.

In type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune process destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with diabetes take insulin several times a day to ensure that glucose gets into the cells and stays at a healthy level in the bloodstream .

16 ).

How Many Carbs Should Someone With Diabetes Have In A Day

If youre living with diabetes, carbs dont need to be feared. In fact, complex carbohydrates contain fiber, which helps slow digestion and regulate blood sugar. Potato chips may not make this listbut complex carbohydrates should definitely be included in your meal plan.

While there are some variables when recommending a carb count, experts often recommend 35 to 65 grams of carbohydrates per meal and around 15 grams per snack. Its also a wise idea to pair those carbs with the right kind of protein. These are the best meats for diabetics.

Don’t Miss: What Happens If You Stop Taking Diabetes Medication

What About Sugar Substitutes

A sugar substitute is a sweetener that is used in place of sugar. The sugar substitutes approved by the Food and Drug Administration are aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and neotame. All can be safely consumed in moderation. Sugar substitutes do not need to be counted in your meal plan. If they are used as a sweetener in food that contains few calories and no other carbohydrate , that food is considered to be a “free food.” If, on the other hand, the sugar substitute is used in a food that contains other carbohydrate sources , the total carbohydrate content must be counted. That food is not considered a “free food.”

What Fruits Are Good For Diabetics

Berries are the finest fruits for diabetes when all other considerations are taken into account. Berries are low in carbs and have a low glycemic index when compared to other fruits . Theyre also a good source of fiber and antioxidants. Raspberries and blackberries contain fewer carbs and a lower glycemic index than blueberries, but you may modify your serving size to compensate.For example, a 100 gram serving of raspberries or blackberries has around 6 net carbohydrates, but the same amount of blueberries has about 12 net carbs. So, if youre watching your carbohydrates, you might want to cut your blueberry serving size down to 1/3 to 1/2 cup.Fruits with low carbohydrate content, a low glycemic index, and a high fiber content should be preferred by diabetics.Aside from berries, which Ive identified as the best overall choice, most diabetics can benefit from a small portion of apples , citrus , and stone fruits a few times each week. These fruits have a low glycemic index and a low carb content per fruit. Stone fruits contain a single big pit in the center, surrounded by a delicious fleshy outer layer.

Don’t Miss: What Happens If A Diabetic Eats Too Much Sugar

How Do Restricted Carbohydrate Diets Work

Restricting carbohydrates from a diet can help to reduce hunger, particularly in people with diabetes, as it can help prevent wider swings in blood glucose levels that can be responsible for causing hunger.

If carbohydrate and calorie intake is kept low enough, it can help to promote regular ketosis in which the body breaks down fat tissues to convert them into ketones, an alternative energy source to glucose. The breaking down of fat is one reason why very low carbohydrate diets can help with weight loss

Whilst restricted carbohydrate diets can help with weight loss, they may also be used primarily for maintaining good blood glucose control. If following a low carbohydrate diet, an increased intake of fat and protein may be needed to prevent weight loss occurring.

What Diets Are Recommended For A Type 1 Diabetes Eating Plan

Foods to include in a meal plan

People with type 1 diabetes should follow the same healthy meal plans as all other people interested in preventing chronic disease, However, they must be more aware of the carbohydrate content of their meals so they can match their insulin dose appropriately. In order to do so, there are a few rules of thumb that can be followed.

Read Also: What Happens If A Diabetic Eats Too Much Sugar

What About Gestational Diabetes

People with gestational diabetes can work out a meal plan with their healthcare professional.

A meal plan may involve counting the amount of carbohydrates a person eats to make sure they are getting enough energy and keeping their blood sugar under control.

The National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development advise that people with gestational diabetes eat three medium-sized meals per day, with two to four snacks in-between meals.

People with gestational diabetes will benefit from a balanced diet of fiber, vegetables, fruit, protein, healthful fats, and legumes, including the foods listed above.

Many Of Us Rely On Carbohydrates As Our Main Source Of Energy Carbohydrate

All the carbohydrates you eat and drink are broken down into glucose. The type, and amount, you consume can make a difference to your blood glucose levels and diabetes management.

There are different ways to describe carbohydrates. One way of doing this is to group them into those that contain mostly starch , and those that contain mostly sugars, such as fruits , some dairy foods , sweets, chocolate, sugary drinks and desserts.

You May Like: What Happens When You Stop Taking Metformin

Foods To Eat In Moderation

You can eat the following foods in smaller quantities at meals, depending on your personal carb tolerance:

• Berries: 1 cup or less
• Plain, Greek yogurt: 1 cup or less
• Cottage cheese: 1/2 cup or less
• Nuts and peanuts: 12 ounces, or 3060 grams
• Flaxseeds or chia seeds: 2 tablespoons
• Dark chocolate : 30 grams or less
• Winter squash : 1 cup or less
• Liquor: 1.5 ounces, or 50 grams
• Dry red or white wine: 4 ounces, or 120 grams

Legumes, such as peas, lentils, and beans, are healthy sources of protein, though they do have carbs as well. Be sure to include them in your daily carb count.

Drastically reducing carbs usually lowers insulin levels, which causes the kidneys to release sodium and water .

Try to eat a cup of broth, a few olives, or some other salty low carb foods to make up for the lost sodium. Dont be afraid to add a little extra salt to your meals.

However, if you have congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before increasing the amount of sodium in your diet.

How Many Carbs Should You Eat If You Have Diabetes

• Bottom line

Figuring out how many carbs to eat when you have diabetes can seem confusing.

Dietary guidelines from around the globe traditionally recommend that you get around 4560% of your daily calories from carbs if you have diabetes .

However, a growing number of experts believe that people with diabetes should eat far fewer carbs. In fact, many recommend less than half of this amount.

This article tells you how many carbs you should eat if you have diabetes.

Read Also: Can Diabetics Eat Cheese

Can Diabetics Eat A Potato Is Sweet Potato Better Do Regular Potato

No! Absolute no! Sweet potato is not much better than regular potato either.

I know. Who doesnt love anything potato? Potato goes great with many meat dishes like pot roast, but potato can put you over your recommended carb intake in just a serving. So next time you are looking to make a mashed potato try using cauliflower instead. You can boil, steam, or roast it. Its very low in carbs, making it a great option for diabetics as well as people following a low carb diet. Root vegetables like Taro and parsnip are another great alternative to the traditional potato. Try steaming these alternatives and mashing them with garlic and other seasonings for a healthy side dish.

Another alternative to the potato for diabetics is Parsnips. They have a sweet taste similar to a carrot. They are very high in fiber content. Mashed Butternut Squash is also a very tasty alternative to potato.

Beware, sweet potato is not a good alternative to regular potato. Both will spike your blood sugar to the sky. The last good alternative to the potato for diabetics would be mashed carrots.

Living With Diabetes Does Not Mean Cutting Back On Everything You Like Learn More About The Good Carbs For Diabetics That Will Keep Your System Balanced

Suffering from diabetes does not necessarily have to be limiting. There are many ways in which you, or the person you love, can live a long and healthy lifes without having to remove every single pleasure. When it comes to food, there are many good carbs for diabetics to satisfy the cravings without putting your health at risk.

To manage your carb intake, it is important to know the current levels of insulin in your body and the composition of the carbohydrate.

Because carbs can be divided in three major groups it is important to know and understand where exactly these come from and how your body administers its intake, in order to consume the appropriate amounts.

Starch can come in many shapes and forms, and its a huge part of products such as peas, corn, potatoes, beans, lentils and of dry products such as oats, rice and barley.

In the case of sugar, there are those natural occurring, like the ones present in milk or fruit, and the synthetic or added sugar that appear on heavy syrup, candies, certain baked goods, etc.

Finally, fiber comes from the indigestible part of plant foods such as whole grains, legumes, nuts, vegetables and fruits. These fiber is not digested, but rather passes through the intestines.

Consuming carbohydrates for diabetics with Type 2 is particularly important and should be balanced, at all times. For this reason the American Diabetes Association recommends carb counting in order to keep track of your consumption.

• Oatmeal
• Apples
• Fish

Read Also: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon

Vegetables Offer Important Nutrients And Help You Feel Full

If theres one thing you remember, let it be this: Eat more vegetables. Vegetables are a great way to moderate the carbs in a meal and feel full, Nguyen says. Registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators recommend filling half your plate with nonstarchy vegetables . Beyond adding bulk to your meal for fewer calories, these veggies are packed with health-promoting compounds. For instance, cruciferous veggies, like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, contain glucosinolates, which are compounds with properties that may help prevent cancer, says the National Cancer Institute.

That doesnt mean starchy veggies, like sweet potatoes, corn, or green peas, are off limits. You’ll simply want to eat them in moderation. Be sure to include lean protein, like tuna, eggs, or turkey or chicken without the skin.

Impact Of Diet On Diabetes

Several factors can affect diabetes management. The individual can manage many of these, including:

• what they eat, how much of it, and how often
• carbohydrate intake
• how frequently they monitor their blood sugar
• the amount of physical activity
• the accuracy and consistency of any medication dosing
• duration and quality of sleep

Even small changes in one of these areas can affect blood sugar management.

When a person eats mindfully, measures portions every day, incorporates daily activity, sleeps well, and takes medication as directed, they can improve blood sugar levels significantly.

With good glucose management comes a lower risk of complications, such as coronary artery disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.

It is also important for people to keep an eye on their weight. Managing what they eat and increasing physical activity can help a person achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Also Check: Does Milk Raise Blood Sugar

Can You Have Sugar

You might have heard that people with diabetes shouldn’t have any table sugar. While some doctors say that, others take a more forgiving view.

Most now say that small amounts of the sweet stuff are fine, as long as they’re part of an overall healthy meal plan. Table sugar doesnât raise your blood sugar any more than starches.

Remember, though, that sugar is a carb. So when you eat sweet foods like cookies, cake, or candy, donât eat another carb or starch that you wouldâve eaten that day.

In other words, substitute, don’t add. Ultimately, the total grams matter more than the source of the sugar.

Account for any food swaps in your carbohydrate budget for the day. Adjust your medications if you add sugars to your meals. If you take insulin, tweak your dose to account for the added carbs so you can keep your blood sugar under control as much as possible. Check your glucose after eating sugary foods.

Read food labels so you know how much sugar or carbs are in the things you eat and drink. Also, check how many calories and how much fat are in each serving.

What Is Diabetes And What Role Does Food Play

Diabetes is a health condition where your body doesnt have the ability to take control over sugar. In other words, people who have diabetes dont have any insulin resistance in the body. This will lead you towards numerous health conditions, such as loss of sight and weakened immunity. Therefore, you should never ignore diabetes. You must make sure that you are taking better control over diabetes at all times with the food that you are consuming.

You May Like: What Happens If You Stop Taking Diabetes Medication

Pay Attention To Your Whole Diet And Maintain A Healthy Balance

Lets assume youre out on a lovely summer picnic and decide to splurge on some delicious watermelon . To make up for it, you might want to limit your carb intake for the remainder of the day and have a lower-carb dinner. If you really must have a banana for breakfast , have a reduced carb lunch and restrict your other carbs at breakfast.

What Kind Of Bread Can A Person With Diabetes Eat

Often the question is can a person with diabetes eat bread? And you have probably gotten a lot of mixed information about this question.

Are you ready for the answer?

It depends but more often than not the answer is very much YES! It is all about finding a great bread that you enjoy and does not cause your blood sugar to rise.

As always, become best friends with your meter before testing out a new food to see how your body reacts. Using the following criteria will help you determine which breads will work for you and your body!

• 100% whole grain

• Fiber is your best friend when it comes to avoiding that blood sugar spike. To get the most fiber find a bread that is 100% whole grain. You will know its a great choice if the first ingredient says whole. For example, the label should read whole-wheat flour or any other grain like whole oats.

You May Like: Is 10 Units Of Insulin A Lot