5 Great Cereals To Avoid High Blood Sugar
I really love eating breakfast. Not only is it the most important meal of the day, but there are so many great things to eat! Since I had a baby almost a year ago (which I can’t believe, but that’s a whole other post!), cereal seems to be the easiest choice. Unfortunately, my blood sugar usually jumps way up into orbit after this typically high carb meal. So what to do? After much experimentation, I found a few cereals that are easy on the blood sugars, delicious, and satisfying. Steel cut oatmeal. A lot of people with diabetes complain that oatmeal spikes their blood sugar. I’ve had this problem as well, but the problem usually isn’t the oatmeal itself, it’s what I put on it. I’ve also noticed that when I eat steel cut oatmeal vs. the quick cook versions my blood sugar isn’t as compromised. I sprinkle a couple berries on top and add some milk and I’ve got a delicious breakfast. The carbs are high, yes, but if I take the right amount of insulin, I’m all good. Weetablx. I’ve been eating Weetabix since I was a kid. It’s not your typical breakfast cereal. Instead of being flakes or clusters, Weetabix is more biscuit like. You pour milk on top, and it becomes soft and delicious. Weetabix is something that I craved while pregnant last year. I love everything about it! I eat two biscuits for breakfast, which is 28g of carbs, without milk. No Sugar Familia Museli. This is also a cereal from my childhood, and it’s also one that I feed my baby girl. Although she eats the baby version! This has been my typical breakfast as of late and I’ve had no spikes to report at all! This cereal comes in a few varieties, so if you’re going to try it out, make sure that you buy the no-sugar variety. Puffed Rice. Boring? I don’t think so. It’s got a different tex Continue reading >>
What To Eat With Diabetes: Best Cold Cereals
Looking for a better breakfast cereal? Try one of our 18 cereal winners or finalists that are dietitian-approved and taste-tested. We conducted blind taste panels with more than 100 people, including people with diabetes, and awarded the top-rated flakes, O's, and puffed cereals our Diabetic Living What to Eat seal of approval. Please note that product information, packaging, and availability may have changed since our story first appeared. Looking for a better breakfast cereal? Try one of our 18 cereal winners or finalists that are dietitian-approved and taste-tested. We conducted blind taste panels with more than 100 people, including people with diabetes, and awarded the top-rated flakes, O's, and puffed cereals our Diabetic Living What to Eat seal of approval. Please note that product information, packaging, and availability may have changed since our story first appeared. Looking for a better breakfast cereal? Try one of our 18 cereal winners or finalists that are dietitian-approved and taste-tested. We conducted blind taste panels with more than 100 people, including people with diabetes, and awarded the top-rated flakes, O's, and puffed cereals our Diabetic Living What to Eat seal of approval. Please note that product information, packaging, and availability may have changed since our story first appeared. Looking for a better breakfast cereal? Try one of our 18 cereal winners or finalists that are dietitian-approved and taste-tested. We conducted blind taste panels with more than 100 people, including people with diabetes, and awarded the top-rated flakes, O's, and puffed cereals our Diabetic Living What to Eat seal of approval. Please note that product information, packaging, and availability may have changed since our story first appeared. Continue reading >>
Which Cold Cereals Can Diabetics Eat
Diabetics need to pay close attention to the amount and type of carbohydrates they eat. Cold cereals are an easy and convenient breakfast option if you are on the go, but many types of cereals have a high carbohydrate content, mainly from added sugar or refined flours that can quickly elevate your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, choose cold cereals that have a lower glycemic index and keep your portions small to prevent spikes in your blood sugar levels. Muesli Muesli and granola-type breakfast cereals are very dense, and only a small portion, or between 1/4 to 1/2 cup, is necessary start your day with enough energy. Choose a muesli that is free of added sugars and check the ingredient list to ensure it is mainly made from oat flakes, nuts and dried fruits to guarantee a lower glycemic index option. Low GI foods will help you keep your blood sugar levels more stable throughout the morning, whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Do not add sugar to your muesli, and serve it with plain yogurt or milk. Large Oat Flakes You may eat oat flakes cooked as a hot cereal, but they can also be eaten raw as a cold cereal. Choose large oat flakes or steel-cut oats, which have a lower glycemic index. Add raw nuts, milk or plain yogurt and enjoy. Avoid adding extra sugar, but you can add a handful of berries for a touch of sweetness that won't lead to high blood sugar levels. Cook quinoa ahead of time, according to the package instructions, and keep it in the fridge for a quick cold breakfast cereal option. Quinoa is a healthy whole grain that contains slowly digested carbohydrates to help you keep your blood sugar levels in the healthy range. Add a bit of milk or plain yogurt, nuts and fruit as desired, but keep your serving size between 1/2 and 1 cup for moderate carb Continue reading >>
How To Choose The Best Cereal For Diabetes
How to Choose The Best Cereal for Diabetes Regardless of the type of diabetes that you have, it is important to keep your blood level within healthy range at all times. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast is a good way to achieve this. Your breakfast should consist of a balanced meal that has enough carbohydrates, healthy fats and protein. Furthermore, it must also be low in sugar but high in nutrients and fiber. Cereals are one of the most popular breakfast choices because it is fast, convenient and tasty. But do you know how to choose a suitable cereal for diabetes? Unrefined grains or whole grains consist of bran, an outer layer thats rich in fiber. Moreover, it also has ingredients that are a good source of energy. It is for this reason why whole grain cereal is a healthier choice than the refined grain cereals. Starting your day with a whole grain cereal at breakfast without adding any sugar is definitely good for your diabetic diet. In addition, eating whole grain cereals will actually make one to feel full easily, which is also ideal if you are trying to lose weight. Oatmeal, also known as a porridge thats made of rolled oats, is another great breakfast option for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes. You can prepare oatmeal by soaking the oats in water overnight or simply boil them in water in the morning. Oatmeal can be blend when eaten by itself. Nevertheless, diabetes patients must refrain from adding sugar to your oatmeal. You can improve its flavor by adding skim milk, fresh or dried fruits or honey. Refrain from buying instant oatmeal as there is usually added sugar in the product. Because of the high fiber content, bran cereals help to improve ones digestive health. This can help to fulfill the bodys daily requirement of fiber. If your diet Continue reading >>
Healthy Cereal Brands For Diabetes
When you’re in a morning rush, you may not have time to eat anything but a quick bowl of cereal. But many brands of breakfast cereal are loaded with fast-digesting carbohydrates. These carbs usually rate high on the glycemic index. That means your body quickly breaks them down, which rapidly raises your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, that can be dangerous. Fortunately, not all cereals are made the same. Read on to learn about diabetes-friendly cereal options that can get you out of the door quickly, without putting you through a blood sugar rollercoaster ride. We’ve listed our recommendations from the highest rating on the glycemic index to the lowest rating. The glycemic index, or GI, measures how quickly carbohydrates raise your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, it’s best to choose foods with lower GI ratings. They take longer to digest, which can help prevent spikes in your blood sugar. According to the Harvard School of Public Health: low-GI foods have a rating of 55 or less medium-GI foods have a rating of 56-69 high-GI foods have a rating of 70-100 Mixing foods can influence how they digest and adsorb into your blood, and ultimately their GI rating. For example, eating high-ranked GI cereal with Greek yogurt, nuts, or other low-ranked GI foods can slow your digestion and limit spikes in your blood sugar. Glycemic load is another measure of how food affects your blood sugar. It takes into account portion size and the digestibility of different carbohydrates. It may be a better way to identify good and bad carb choices. For example, carrots have a high GI rating but a low glycemic load. The vegetable provides a healthy choice for people with diabetes. According to the Harvard School of Public Health: a glycemic load under 10 is low a glycemi Continue reading >>
7 Easy Breakfast Ideas For Type 2 Diabetes
Cooking with less fat by using nonstick pans and cooking sprays and avoiding fat- and sugar-laden coffee drinks will help ensure that you're eating a healthy breakfast. For many people, breakfast is the most neglected meal of the day. But if you have type 2 diabetes, breakfast is a must, and it can have real benefits. “The body really needs the nutrients that breakfast provides to literally ‘break the fast’ that results during sleeping hours,” says Kelly Kennedy, MS, RD, an Everyday Health dietitian. “Having a source of healthy carbohydrates along with protein and fiber is the perfect way to start the morning.” Eating foods at breakfast that have a low glycemic index may help prevent a spike in blood sugar all morning long — and even after lunch. Eating peanut butter or almond butter at breakfast, for example, will keep you feeling full, thanks to the combination of protein and fat, according to the American Diabetes Association. And a good breakfast helps kick-start your morning metabolism and keeps your energy up throughout the day. Pressed for time? You don't have to create an elaborate spread. Here are seven diabetes-friendly breakfast ideas to help you stay healthy and get on with your day. 1. Breakfast Shake For a meal in a minute, blend one cup of fat-free milk or plain nonfat yogurt with one-half cup of fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, or blueberries. Add one teaspoon of wheat germ, a teaspoon of nuts, and ice and blend for a tasty, filling, and healthy breakfast. Time saver: Measure everything out the night before. 2. Muffin Parfait Halve a whole grain or other high-fiber muffin (aim for one with 30 grams of carbohydrates and at least 3 grams of fiber), cover with berries, and top with a dollop of low- or nonfat yogurt for a fast and easy bre Continue reading >>
Top 10 Healthiest Low Carb Cereals
By Elisabeth Almekinder RN, BA, CDE 4 Comments Would you like to find cereal options with fewer carbohydrates so that you can have some fruit or milk in the morning without breaking the carb bank? Do higher carbohydrate cereals run your blood sugars up every time you eat them? We can help. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 healthiest and lowest carbohydrate options for diabetes. Whether you are on an American Diabetes Association (ADA) Diet or a Ketogenic diet, you can enjoy them with diabetes guilt free. If you are on a ketogenic diet, we hope that you are being followed by your doctor and nutritionist for needed lab work. Which cereals made our list of the top 10 healthiest for diabetes? We will break down each product for you that we’ve listed in the table below. You can find them on Amazon by clicking the link. You may also find some of these brands at your local grocery store. They are all made from plant sources including nuts and seeds that have a high fiber content. A high fiber content cancels out natural sugars and helps people with diabetes manage their blood sugars. High fiber foods are great for diabetes due to their low Glycemic Index. They don’t raise blood sugars as fast as non-fiber foods do. You will experience stability of blood sugars more often when you eat high fiber foods. They are granola cereals. If you don’t like granola, hang on until the end of the article and we will provide you with some grain-based choices. While higher in carbohydrates, the ones on our grain-based list are high in fiber also. These will be found in your community grocery store, so we won’t link those to Amazon. We know you will find a healthy breakfast option that also tastes delicious while helping you to manage your diabetes after you have read this a Continue reading >>
12 Breakfast Rules For Diabetes
First, eat it iStock/EasyBuy4u Even if your blood sugar is high in the morning, don't skip breakfast. Research shows that forgoing a morning meal increases the risk for obesity and insulin resistance. And studies confirm that breakfast eaters are better able to resist fatty and high-calorie foods later in the day. Aim to eat your breakfast at the same time every day, since keeping your blood sugar levels even throughout the day means eating consistently from day to day. Try to incorporate these healthy carbs for diabetes into your breakfast. iStock/ShotShare You can't (and shouldn't) avoid restaurants altogether, but there's one meal you should almost always eat at home: breakfast. Look at the alternatives: Diner-style breakfasts can include 1,000 calories or more with astronomical amounts of carbohydrates and fats. A healthy-sounding whole-wheat bagel with light cream cheese from a bagel shop may contain up to 67 grams of carbs, 450 calories, and 9 grams of fat. A sausage muffin may pack 29 grams of carbs, 370 calories, and 22 grams of fat. Compare those to a bowl of oatmeal (half a cup) with a half cup of fat-free milk, which contains a mere 12 grams of carbs, 195 calories, and 3 grams of fat. iStock/MarkGillow We assume you're already starting out with a cereal that contains at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. (Studies have found that people who regularly eat whole-grain cereal gain less weight than people who don't.) Make it even more diabetes-friendly by adding half a cup (one serving) of fresh fruit, such as strawberries or blueberries. Here's why fruit is healthy for diabetes (not forbidden!). Sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed on hot and cold cereal and yogurt iStock/Sasha Radosavljevic Rich in protein and fiber, these tiny seeds are a godsend to Continue reading >>
Cold Cereals For A Diabetes-friendly Diet
Diabetics can eat all kinds of food, including many commercial cold cereals. According to the American Diabetes Association, or ADA, diabetics should eat cereals with 3g or more of dietary fiber and 5g or less of total sugar. When choosing a healthy breakfast cereal, limit your intake of added sugar by skipping granolas and cereals with marshmallows, “frosting,” dried fruits and chocolate flavoring. Also choose cereals that are higher in fiber. Fiber is an important nutrient to help you prevent weight gain and heart disease, for which diabetics have increased risk. Video of the Day The sugar content of some corn and rice breakfast cereals won’t derail a diabetic diet, but many of these cereals don’t supply all the fiber you need. Corn flakes and puffed rice may not contain enough of the whole grain to provide that fiber, reports the CDC. These cold cereals may contain refined grains, in which some of the plant fiber and other nutrients have been removed in processing. One corn cereal that meets the ADA criteria is General Mills Kix, with 3g of fiber and 3g of sugar per suggesting serving. Oat-based cold cereals may deliver enough fiber for a diabetic diet, but most of them have too much sugar in the form of honey or brown sugar ingredients to include frequently for breakfast. People with diabetes may instead opt for natural hot oatmeals, which have less than 1g of sugar and plenty of fiber. One cold breakfast cereal that satisfies ADA requirements is General Mills Cheerios. Like oatmeal, oat Cheerios offer 3g of fiber and only 1g of sugar in a suggested serving. Wheat cereals may be the best breakfast cereal addition to a diabetic diet. Read the nutrition facts on packages, though, because some of these cold cereals that are marketed as healthy have low sugar, b Continue reading >>
What Is The Best Cereal For Diabetics?
No matter what type of diabetes you have, keeping your blood glucose levels within a healthy range is vital. And beginning the day with a healthy breakfast is one step you can require to accomplish that. Cereal and Diabetes Cereal and Diabetes Breakfast must be a well balanced meal with sufficient protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. It ought to likewise be low in sugarcoated and high in fiber and nutrients. If you have diabetes, you might already be familiar with the glycemic index (GI). The GI is a way to measure how rapidly foods with carbs raise blood sugar levels. Carbs offer you the energy you need to start your day. But digesting carbs too quickly can cause your blood sugar levels to spike. Foods with a low GI are simpler on your body than those with a high GI. They are digested more gradually and minimize spikes after meals. This is something to keep in mind when choosing breakfast cereals. It is very important to understand what things impact the GI. Processing, cooking methods, and the kind of grain can all impact how rapidly the food is absorbed. Cereals that are more processed have the tendency to have a greater GI even if they have fiber added to them. Mixing foods can likewise impact the GI. Having protein and health fats with your cereal can assist prevent spikes in blood glucose. A healthy cereal begins with entire grains A healthy breakfast that’s simple to prepare can be as simple as a bowl of cereal, offered you pick carefully. The supermarket cereal aisle is stacked high with cereals that please your craving for sweets but undermine your glucose levels. Much of the most popular cereals have actually refined grains and sugars at the top of the component lists. Those cereals have few nutrients and lots of empty calories. They can also cause a sp Continue reading >>
Diabetic Cereal Plus Low Carb Alternatives
Here's a comment someone made on our Facebook page: What kind of cold cereal do you guys eat – checked the super market and (omg) so high in carbs and sugar and you can eat 1/4 cup of 1/2 cup (I would literally starve on this ) any suggestions ? Have you had a similar experience from looking at food labels on breakfast cereals? Or perhaps you haven't looked at the labels and not sure if cereals are okay for diabetes. Well, we've got you covered because today we're going to go over the ins and outs of breakfast cereals, share some low carb alternatives you can buy, and share a couple of recipes you can enjoy too. The Truth About Breakfast Cereals Breakfast Cereals are NOT healthy! Let's look at 2 popular breakfast cereals from the US and Australia. If you're from a different country, that's okay, most cereals are the same poor quality. General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios Noted as the US most popular cereal in 2013. In a 112 g serve we have: 440 calories 6 g fat 640 mg sodium 88 g carbs 8 g fiber 36 g sugar 44 g other carbs 8 g protein Ingredients: Whole grain oats, sugar, oat bran, modified corn starch, honey, brown sugar syrup, salt, tripotassium phosphate, canola and/or rice bran oil, natural almond flour, and then their long line of ADDED vitamins and minerals. Source Does this measure up as a healthy breakfast option? No way! Almost 1/3 sugar content and 132 g carbs, high sodium, low fiber, and low protein. In my opinion that's no way to start the day and yet it's the most popular cereal in the US. Notice on the box that the marketing claims it “Can Help Lower Cholesterol”. You will see all sorts of advertising scams occur on food packaging and you can't trust any of it. Although there is some evidence to suggest that soluble fiber (found in oats) can help lower c Continue reading >>
The Five Best Cereals For Blood Sugar
Breakfast cereals are notoriously high in sugar. However, if you read the labels carefully you will be able to find several healthy cereals to jumpstart your day and still keep your diabetes under control. Oatmeal: One of the best cereal choices for people with diabetes is oatmeal. It is high in soluble fiber and naturally low in sugar. There is also research to suggest that oatmeal lowers cholesterol. If you are buying instant oatmeal, try to avoid the brands with added sugar. Barbara’s Honey Rice Puffins: Even though this cereal has the word “honey” in the name, it is actually a pretty good (and yummy) choice. This cereal is made from whole grain brown rice and is a gluten free option - if that is necessary in your diet. Rice Puffins come in at 6 grams of sugar and 1.5 grams of fat per serving. General Mills Multi Grain Cheerios: This cereal is made with five different whole grains. It has 6 grams of sugar and only 1 gram of fat. Cheerios taste great and are also gluten free. Fiber One: Coming in at 0 grams of sugar and only 2 grams of fat, this cereal is also a good choice. It is high in fiber, which can help with weight management. Fiber One has only 60 calories per serving so it can also be a good choice if you are also watching calories. Kix: Even though this sounds like one of those sugary kids’ cereal, it actually has only 3 grams of sugar and 1 gram of fat. Kix also delivers 13 grams of whole grain corn in each serving. When choosing a cereal, remember that all cereals are not created equal. You should always read the label and look for a breakfast cereal that is low in sugar and high in fiber. With all cereals, be careful of the portion size. One serving is usually equal to about 3/4 of a cup of dry cereal. See More Helpful Articles: Tracy Davenport, P Continue reading >>
The Best Cereals For People With Diabetes
No matter what type of diabetes you have, keeping your blood glucose levels within a healthy range is crucial. And starting the day with a healthy breakfast is one step you can take to achieve that. Breakfast should be a balanced meal with adequate protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. It should also be low in added sugar and high in fiber and nutrients. If you have diabetes, you may already be familiar with the glycemic index (GI). The GI is a way to measure how quickly foods with carbohydrates raise blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates give you the energy you need to start your day. But digesting carbohydrates too quickly can cause your blood sugar levels to spike. Foods with a low GI are easier on your body than those with a high GI. They are digested more slowly and minimize spikes after meals. This is something to keep in mind when choosing breakfast cereals. It is important to know what things affect the GI. Processing, cooking methods, and the type of grain can all impact how quickly the food is digested. Cereals that are more processed tend to have a higher GI even if they have fiber added to them. Mixing foods can also affect the GI. Having protein and health fats with your cereal can help prevent spikes in blood sugar. A healthy breakfast that’s easy to prepare can be as simple as a bowl of cereal, provided you choose wisely. The grocery store cereal aisle is stacked high with cereals that satisfy your sweet tooth but sabotage your glucose levels. Many of the most popular cereals have refined grains and sugars at the top of the ingredient lists. Those cereals have few nutrients and lots of empty calories. They can also cause a spike in your blood glucose levels. That’s why it’s important to read labels carefully. Look for cereals that list a whole gra Continue reading >>
Diabetes Super Foods
Eating right is key to managing diabetes. Fortunately, your food “prescription” includes filling, flavorful fare that tastes like anything but medicine. A diet rich in these 10 “super foods” will help minimize blood sugar and even throw your disease into reverse. Dig in! 1. Vegetables. The advantages of eating more vegetables are undeniable. Packed with powerhouse nutrients, vegetables are naturally low in calories, and they’re full of fiber, so they’re plenty filling. Loading your plate with more vegetables will automatically mean you’re eating fewer simple carbs (which raise blood sugar) and saturated fats (which increase insulin resistance). Aim to get four or five servings a day. (A serving is 1/2 cup canned or cooked vegetables or 1 cup raw vegetables.) Go easier on starchy vegetables — including potatoes and corn, and legumes such as lima beans and peas — which are higher in calories than other vegetables. 2. Fruit. It has more natural sugar and calories than most vegetables, so you can’t eat it with utter abandon, but fruit has almost all the advantages that vegetables do — it’s brimming with nutrients you need, it’s low in fat, it’s high in fiber, and it’s relatively low in calories compared with most other foods. Best of all, it’s loaded with antioxidants that help protect your nerves, your eyes, and your heart. Aim to get three or four servings a day. (A serving is one piece of whole fruit, 1/2 cup cooked or canned fruit, or 1 cup raw fruit.) Strive to make most of your fruit servings real produce, not juice. Many of the nutrients and a lot of the fiber found in the skin, flesh, and seeds of fruit are eliminated during juicing, and the calories and sugar are concentrated in juice. 3. Beans. Beans are just about your best source Continue reading >>
Cereal: It’s What’s For Breakfast… Or Lunch, Or Dinner
Raise your hand if you currently eat or have ever eaten cereal. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of you raised your hand. Back in 2005, Good Morning America conducted a poll and found that 60% of Americans eat breakfast, and of those 60%, about 40% eat either hot or cold cereal. I’m a big breakfast cereal eater, mostly because it’s fast and easy, but also because I like it. People eat cereal at any time of day, too — it’s not just for breakfast anymore. And if you’re a Seinfeld fan, you probably remember the episode when Jerry’s girlfriend ate cereal for all three meals. All sorts of studies have been done looking at how breakfast impacts various factors, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol, as well as alertness and productivity. And starting off the day by eating cereal is a smart way to help meet your fiber and whole-grain goals (most of us fall short on these). Did you know, too, that eating a whole-grain breakfast cereal can help reduce your risk of heart failure, and is a smart way to prevent accumulating fat around your midsection (also known as the dreaded spare tire)? Decisions, Decisions So, eating breakfast is good. Eating cereal is also good with one caveat: you need to choose a cereal that’s healthy. But how? The cereal aisle in the supermarket can be overwhelming. You know you should choose something that’s high in nutrition, but the worry is that the cereal will taste like packing peanuts. Must one sacrifice flavor for health? Choosing Wisely Here are some tips that can help: Read the Nutrition Facts label. Information on the front of the box can be misleading. For example, a cereal claiming to be “low in sugar” might not be so healthful in terms of fat, whole grains, or sodium. The label and the ingredi Continue reading >>
