Tag: Low Glycemic Index

High Glycemic Foods

In 1981, Dr. David Jenkins of the University of Toronto came up with a ranking system for carbohydrates based upon how long it takes them to break down into the system. Some carbohydrates break down very slowly and those release glucose gradually into the bloodstream and have a low glycemic index. For people who are diabetes, particularly those who are insulin dependent, a low glycemic index is preferable. These foods allow the insulin or medication to respond better to the blood glucose and allows for the sugars to break down more naturally.

Other foods are rated high on the Glycemic Index. These foods currently have high ratings and raise the blood glucose level quickly. High glycemic foods can be beneficial for people who are recovering from high exertion or those suffering from hypoglycemia. People with Type I or Type II Diabetes should avoid high glycemic foods as they can play havoc with the insulin or medication they are taking.

Some examples of foods that considered high glycemic foods include corn flakes, white rices such as jasmine rice, white breads and baked potatoes. People who have diabetes, either Type I or Type II, should avoid these foods as much as possible.

Other foods that are high glycemic foods include those with large amounts of white refined sugar or white flour. One thing a doctor will tell a patient on how to avoid high glycemic foods is to avoid anything white. This includes white bread, pasta made with white flour and even cakes or sweets made with refined white sugar or white flour.

High glycemic foods tend to take a long time to digest in the system of a diabetic. The glucose, or sugar, stays in the blood because the system of a diabetic is unable to process the refine sugars and flours. The glucose stays in the blood and in the urine causing the diabetic to frequently urinate, experience thirst and hunger more than the average person and sweat profusely.

After a while, this takes its toll on the system of a diabetic. The kidneys begin to hurt because they are not functioning properly. This is one symptom that diabetics often present with when seeking a physician. They also get blood in their urine and, in the worst case scenario, they faint or enter into an episode of semi-consciousness, confusion which can even lead to a diabetic coma. In some instances, a diabetic coma can prove fatal.

People who have Type I and Type II diabetes should be very mindful of which foods have a high glycemic index and avoid these foods in their diet. With proper diet, medication or insulin and monitoring of blood sugars, diabetics can lead a normal lifespan.

Diabetes is not a death sentence at all. It is simply a condition that many people possess that does not allow their body to break down sugars and starches through their system so that they digest normally. Diabetes is harmful to an individual who does not follow the advice of their physician, does not consume a proper diet and does not monitor their blood glucose levels. People who adhere to the medical guidelines concerning diabetes have just as much of a chance of living a normal life as anyone else.

Diabetes Diet Menus

If you have diabetes it means that your body cannot use sugar the way it was meant to be used. A normal person’s pancreas makes insulin that helps their body use sugar that they take in when they eat. If you have diabetes then your pancreas either does not make enough insulin or does not make any at all and so you need help to make sure that the sugar in your blood stream does not get to be too much. One way to do that is to follow diabetic diet menus.

Diabetic diet menus will help keep your blood sugars stable along with the medication your doctor has prescribed whether it be an oral antidiabetic agent or insulin shots.

The first thing you need to do is go over everything with your doctor and make sure you understand what you need to do to keep your body in good working order so you can minimize the adverse effects of diabetes. There are many, so do what you can to take care of your self. Working closely with your doctor you should be able to manage your disease without too much trouble.

Diet is very important and your doctor may refer you to a dietitian to help plan out what you should and should not eat. There are foods that will help maintain relatively steady blood sugars and foods that will make your blood sugar spike. Certain carbohydrates are your enemy. A dietitian will help you sort things out and get you on the right track.

Processed foods and refined sugars can actually make your diabetes worse. This is according to the Harvard School of Public Health. The HSPH recommends you choose healthy, low-glycemic index foods like whole grains, oatmeal, brown rice, nuts, beans and legumes and lots of fruits and vegetables like asparagus, spinach and broccoli, tomatoes, cherries and peaches.

Starchy foods like potatoes, bananas and corn are not recommended. Starchy foods are too readily converted to simple sugars in your body and will spike your blood sugars making it more difficult to regulate them.

It is also recommended that you never skip meals and, if possible, eat five small meals a day with the same number of carbohydrates at each meal. If this is not possible then make sure that you have some healthy snacks available to eat between your three main meals each day.

Making a weekly menu will help you plan all the meals out that you will eat each week. This makes your grocery shopping trip so much easier because you have everything planned already so you can just make your shopping list from your menu plans. You will have everything you need to make the meals you want to eat, no more trying to decide what to eat at the last minute.

Each week you will have your diabetes diet menus posted in the kitchen so you can track what you are eating and see, at a glance, if any changes need to be made.

Adult Onset Diabetes Diet

A good adult onset diabetes diet consists of a low carb, low-fat eating plan loaded with foods that have a low glycemic index. As a diabetic you need to eat healthy foods that will not cause your blood sugar to go up too high. If this does happens you will hear it referred to as a blood sugar spike and if it happens too often you may need to have your doctor adjust your insulin or your oral medication dosages.

Keeping your blood sugar on an even keel really is not that hard. Eating the right amount of food, with the right kinds of carbs balanced with protein and fats and eating each meal at as close to the same times everyday that you can is what is most important. The more consistent you are the more consistent your blood sugars will be.

If you are an overweight diabetic then using a low-glycemic index diet may even help you shed some extra pounds as well. Who knows, if you are a type II diabetic your diabetes may improve or even disappear altogether if you slim down. Give an adult onset diabetes diet a shot, what have you got to lose?

Carbs with a low-glycemic index are those made from whole grain. You can find whole grain in cereals, breads, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice. Try to stay away from refined carbs like white sugar and rice, they really have no significant nutritional value unless they are fortified which only means someone put back a portion of what they took out during processing in the first place.

Eat all natural foods and the fresher the better. Fruits and vegetables are a great way to get good carbs into your diet. Fruit has natural sugar in it and can bring your blood sugar up quite rapidly so always eat your fruit with some protein like peanut butter or yogurt to keep your blood sugar within range.

If you ever have an occasion when your blood sugar goes too low, called hypoglycemia, you need to get something in your system as quickly as you can. Most people drink some orange juice and, depending on how low their blood sugar is, mix in a little sugar.

I will go you one better though. If you can manage it at the time, eat a peanut butter and honey sandwich. Wash it down with some orange juice to give yourself an extra little boost but know that the honey will raise your blood sugar level quickly and then the peanut butter will help stabilize it so it does not act like a yo-yo.

Every one is different and while some people can still function quite well even when their blood sugar falls to 40 mg/dL others will have major symptoms when their blood sugar reaches 70 mg/dL.

Following an adult onset diabetes diet is the best way for you to keep your blood sugars from spiking and/or going too low. Be good to yourself and eat healthy to stay healthy.