Being vigilant about what you eat is necessary to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. This means monitoring everything from the food choices and portions that you enjoy, as well as being mindful of any exercise or activity in which your participate.
For many people with type 2 diabetes, having too much carbohydrate in their diet is a common cause of high blood sugar levels and eventual progression to full-blown diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). One study found that eating just 50 grams per day of white rice led to an average increase in HbA1c readings from 5% at baseline up to 7%. This research on the effects of carbohydrates like brown rice or other whole grains needs more exploration before any conclusions are drawn.
The GI ranks food based on how it can affect your blood sugar. A healthy diet is not only important to managing diabetes, but also for a healthier heart and weight. The glycemic index rank of the foods you eat should be monitored closely as they could make controlling your diabetes easier. Not just in terms of their carbohydrate content and sugars levels but because many people with type 2 Diabetes have high fasting glucose levels when consuming carbohydrates.
Tracking your diet is the best way to keep diabetes in check. If you don't track what you eat, then diabetes can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and kidney damage or even foot infections!
However you do not have to avoid carbs altogether, but you will need to think about the types and quantity of carbs that you eat. Some people can still enjoy their favorite foods such as pizza, pasta or bread without feeling guilty!
Rice Is High In Carbohydrates
Eating rice is not the best thing for someone with diabetes to do, but it can be an okay option if you're careful. Brown rice in particular has a lower glycemic index and more fiber than white or even other whole-grain options like oats or barley.
Whole grains are a great source of complex carbs, which the body takes longer to break down. This could be beneficial for those who suffer from diabetes because it reduces their risk of sugar spikes! When shopping around for rice options, keep in mind that not all types of rice have equal amounts of carbohydrates and sugars per serving - this is something you'll need to learn more about if you or someone close to you suffers with diabetes!
Recent Study Finds Correlation Between Rice and Incident Diabetes
During a mean follow up period of 9.5 years, 6,129 individuals without baseline diabetes developed incident diabetes. In the overall cohort, higher intake of white rice (≥450g/d compared with <150g/d) was associated with increased risk of diabetes (HR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.03-1.41 p for trend=0.003). However, the highest risk was seen in South Asia (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.17-2.34, p for trend=0.02), followed by other regions of the world (which included South East Asia, Middle East, South America, North America/Europe and Africa) (HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.08-1.85, p for trend =0.01), while in China there was no significant association (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.78-1.41, p for trend = 0.38).
Conclusions: Higher consumption of white rice is associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes with the strongest association being observed in South Asia, while in other regions, a modest, non-significant association was seen.
The best thing you can do if you or a loved one suffers from diabetes is to consult your medical professional, before you make any drastic changes in your diet. Perhaps you could ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian.
Diabetes Dietitians
When you have diabetes, it can be hard to know what the right diet is for your condition. Luckily, there are plenty of professionals that specialize in helping people with this illness and their needs! They will work with you on a plan tailored just for how your body works best so that we can get those blood sugar levels under control.
A diabetes dietitian is often part of your healthcare team. They can help you become more knowledgeable about the management of your diabetes. Diabetic dietitians may work directly with you or in groups, often as part of diabetes education programs.
The good news for diabetic patients is, if you love rice, you may not have to give it up altogether. A dietician may help you incorporate your favorite rice dishes in your diet while still keeoing your blood sugar levels in check.