Oatmeal, that hearty, humble breakfast staple, can be a great addition to a diabetes diet. A widely available whole grain, oats are rich in fiber along with essential minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Porridge oats or the instant variety are both fine - just avoid those with added free sugars like honey and golden syrup. Wheat biscuits, shredded wheat or muesli (with no added sugar) are also great alternatives. For sweetness, add chopped fruit.
Porridge has had a lot of good press and lots of people hail it as the ideal breakfast. Oats have a low glycaemic index (GI) meaning we get the energy from them more slowly, and that helps blood sugar control to be more stable.
Can people with diabetes eat porridge? People with diabetes can completely include porridge in their daily menu. However, when giving porridge to people with diabetes, it is necessary to pay attention to the processing method as well as to have a separate diet so as not to adversely affect health.
If you have type 2 diabetes breakfast cereals made with wholegrains can help to manage blood glucose levels, they release glucose more slowly as they are low GI. Weetabix, Oatibix and Shredded Wheat can make for good choices.
Don't fret; you can still enjoy a slice of your favorite toast in the morning. As long as you're keeping your blood sugar levels in mind, experts say there's nothing wrong with eating bread when you have diabetes.
High in fiber and protein, beans are digested slowly in your body, making them great for managing blood glucose levels in a type 2 diabetes diet. Just ¼ cup of any type of beans will provide as much protein as 1 ounce (oz) of a meat protein equivalent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes consume fruit in moderation, including bananas. This doesn't mean you should ignore those carbohydrates, but you should consider how many carbs you need daily.
Based on these and similar studies, dietitians at Diabetic Living recommend avoiding the typical eggs, pancakes, bacon, and hash browns combination breakfast. Instead, choose the omelet with veggies with lean bacon and a side of fresh fruit for a better balance of protein and sugar.
Doctor Thornber recommends the best breakfast choices for type 2 diabetes. These include: A high in fibre and low-sugar cereal (check the sugar content as some can be deceiving). Porridge is a great option, topped with nuts (no salt) and fruit (like berries or banana).
Can people with diabetes eat potatoes? According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), starchy vegetables such as potatoes can be included in the diet of a person with diabetes. The total amount of carbohydrate consumed at any given meal or snack is what is most important.
With so few carbohydrates, a high fiber content, and healthful fat, people with diabetes can enjoy an avocado in moderation without the stress of raising their blood sugar levels. Pairing an avocado with other foods may help reduce blood sugar spikes too.
Milk contains much-needed nutrients for a well-balanced diet, so it offers excellent nutritional value for people with diabetes, despite its effect on glucose levels. For instance, diabetes can make some people more susceptible to osteoporosis. Since milk contains calcium, it can help to keep your bones strong.
Sweet potatoes have a sterling nutritional profile, making them a great food for people with diabetes. Here's how to start incorporating them into your diet. Sweet potatoes are one of the most popular foods for diabetes at Everyday Health, and with good reason.
Tomatoes are non-starchy and also have a low glycaemic index. The glycemic index is a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods. About 140 grams of tomato has a GI of less than 15, which makes it a low GI food and an excellent food for diabetics. Any food that has a GI score lower than 55 is good for diabetics.
Opt for menu items with lower carbs and watch those calories. For example, a good choice for breakfast could be an Egg McMuffin, with 30 g carbohydrates and 300 calories. A sausage McMuffin comes with 29 g carbs and 400 calories. Leave off the cheese, and you decrease your carb intake and save yourself 50 calories.