Is Milk Good For Diabetes Patient?

Can I Drink Milk If I Have Diabetes

One of the most controversial issues in the nutrition community is whether milk consumption is healthy or an agent of disease. And what if you have diabetes – should you steer clear of milk? Short answer: it depends. This article will help you determine whether to consume milk or not and how to make the best choices if you decide to include dairy products in your diet. What is milk made of? Before we get started on the factors to consider before consuming milk, it can help to understand the composition of milk. In a nutshell, cow’s milk contains water and about 3 to 4% of fat, 3.5% of protein, 5% of a natural sugar called lactose as well as various minerals and vitamins. The following table shows the nutritional composition of various types of milk. As you can see from the table above, compared to human milk, animal milk contains a significantly higher amount of protein. That’s because calves need to grow much faster than babies and thus require much more protein. Is consuming milk from another species an issue? Keep reading to find out. Milk consumption and Type 1 diabetes – is there a link? There have been some controversial studies that have associated cow’s milk consumption with juvenile onset diabetes, more commonly known as type 1 diabetes. Scientists have found that the protein composition of cow’s milk, especially the A1 beta-casein molecule, is radically different from that of human milk and can be extremely hard to digest for humans. Although more research is needed, studies suggest that this A1 beta-casein along with bovine insulin present in cow’s milk can trigger an autoimmune reaction in genetically susceptible children who have a particular HLA (human leukocyte antigen) complex. This autoimmune reaction causes the body to produce antibodies Continue reading >>

Which Of These Is Good For Diabetics, Milk, Yoghurt Or Buttermilk?

Yogurt is no doubt works for diabetic patients but it is advised to avoid flavored yogurt. Flavored yogurt contains artificial sugar, which will rise up the level of sugar in your blood. People who suffer from diabetes should be more concerned in food they should avoid from diet to stay away from disease and maintain perfect sugar level. Carbonated Drinks Trans Fat Baked Foods Flavored Yogurt Avoidable Carbohydrate Junk Food Honey Sweetened Preservatives Chips or Nachos Sugary Fruits Continue reading >>

Is Corn Flakes Good For Diabetics?

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease in which the blood sugar level increases uncontrollably. So, if you are diabetic, you would want to start off your day with a bowl of corn flakes thinking it as a good diet plan for diabetes. But, can diabetics eat corn flakes? Well, it won’t be inappropriate to say that corn flakes are not a healthy option for diabetic patients as it aggravates the risk of not only diabetes but many other lifestyle diseases also. We all know that a healthy breakfast should contain food that are low in calories, sugar and fat, but should have high nutritional values and fibre content. Choosing your diet is one of the crucial factors in keeping the blood sugar level at a normal range, particularly if you are diabetic. So, how about a bowl of corn flakes and milk? 20 Foods That Diabetics Should Avoid Of course, corn is the main ingredient in corn flakes, but the other ingredients are sugar, malt flavouring and corn syrup with a high fructose level. All these ingredients have a high content of glycemic index. Therefore, the consumption of corn flakes can actually increase the blood glucose level and pose a greater risk of aggravating diabetes. So they are not good for diabetics. Corn flakes can be a choice only if they are taken in moderation. Before reaching on a conclusion on are corn flakes good for diabetes, let us have a look at the effect of corn flakes in diabetic patients. High Glycemic Index (GI) It is a method to measure how carbohydrate-rich foods can raise the blood sugar levels pretty quickly. As corn flakes have a GI value of 83, it creates a sudden increase in the blood glucose level So, how is corn flakes good for diabetes? Just think about it! Low Protein Content Corn flakes have a very low protein content in it. So even after having a cup Continue reading >>

5 Cups Of Coffee A Day For Type 2 Diabetes?

Coffee is one thing that we all love but can’t really decide if it’s good for us or not. Research in the past has shown that coffee and diabetes don’t go well together. However, a new research, funded by American Diabetes Association (ADA), indicates that coffee is good for: Cardiovascular diseases(myocardial infarction, high cholesterol…) Cancer (prostate, breast…) Parkinsons disease According to the research conducted by Marilyn Cornelis, PhD, from NFU School of Medicine: (Of all the foods we consume) coffee has the most potential to prevent type 2 diabetes. (Source: Diabetes Forecast) What is more, WHO has released guidelines for dietary recommendation for Americans for 2015-2020, in which they state that 3-5 cups of coffee is associated with health benefits (including for type 2 diabetes). Seems like both the latest research and even WHO is pro-coffee. I know I’m pro-coffee myself, being an avid coffee drinker and I think it’s great I’m doing something good for myself by having a cup of coffee a day! Let alone 5 cups! You can download the WHO statement here, I’ve copied the section about coffee for you here (be aware what is says about how much sugar and milk you should add to coffee): Let me pour myself another cup of coffee right now (and according to the coffee and diabetes research, you should grab a coffee yourself) because we’re going to see: Why is coffee good for us? What does other research about coffee and diabetes suggest How much sugar and milk I personally add to my coffee? I’ll reveal my own easy recipe for diabetes-friendly coffee – I’m drinking one right now! In short, do coffee and diabetes go hand in hand together? Let’s find out: Coffee and Diabetes – An Age Old Question I don’t really know anybody that wouldn’t l Continue reading >>

How Drinking Milk Could Protect You From Diabetes

Drinking milk may help prevent type 2 diabetes – the disease linked to obesity. Contrary to the popular perception of dairy products as unhealthy, regular consumption could actually reduce the risk of developing the condition by up to 60 per cent, according to a study. The ingredient responsible is trans-palmitoleic acid, a fatty acid found in the dairy fat of milk, cheese, yoghurt and butter. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in the United States say it can combat type 2 diabetes, which affects more than 2.3million Britons. In the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, more than 3,700 participants were followed for 20 years by researchers. They took measurements including blood glucose, insulin and levels of fatty acids. They found that higher levels of trans-palmitoleic acid were associated with healthier levels of blood cholesterol and insulin. Overall, those with the highest levels of trans-palmitoleic acid had about a 60 per cent reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Lead researcher Dariush Mozaffarian said: 'The magnitude of this association is striking. 'This represents an almost three-fold difference in risk of developing diabetes among individuals with the highest blood levels of this fatty acid.' The study also appears to confirm previous research showing that a diet rich in dairy foods is linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic abnormalities. A review of 324 studies of milk consumption and effects on health last year suggested the health benefits of milk outweigh any dangers that lie in its consumption, cutting deaths from common diseases by 15-20 per cent. As little as one-third of a pint a day shows benefits in some studies while others involve regular consumption of almost a pint a day. Dr Mozaff Continue reading >>

Drinking Milk Tea For Diabetes Patients

"fid":"550387","viewmode":"wysiwyg","fields":"format":"wysiwyg","type":"media","attributes":"alt":"Drinking milk tea for diabetes","title":"Milk is not advisable for diabetes control.","style":"border-bottom: 2px solid border-left: 2px solid margin: 6px width: 300px float: left height: 225px border-top: 2px solid border-right: 2px solid","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"Drinking milk tea is not very good for diabetes patients if they want the tea to help them control diabetes. Milk is very often added to black tea while addition of milk to green tea is rare. This addition of milk somehow nullifies the benefits of drinking tea for diabetes management. Scientists believe that addition of milk to tea dilutes its health benefits. Well, this is an ongoing debate and studies on for a conclusion. What is Milk Tea? Add a little bit of milk to black tea after brewing it and milk tea is ready. The milk extends a soothing effect on the strong flavor of tea. Tea connoisseurs have the freedom to add the desired quantity of milk. Debate Drinking Milk Tea is Beneficial or Not Studies suggest that on adding milk to tea, insulin activity decreased by almost 90 percent. Surprisingly, addition of lemon did not bring about any decrease. Tea health benefits are due to the effect of chemicals called catechins which are abundant in green and black tea. Addition of milk interferes with catechin action since casein present in milk binds to catechins, renders them ineffective, and even reduces their concentration. Hence, drinking milk tea is not highly recommended for diabetes control. Nevertheless, tea contains many other beneficial compounds that do not alter with addition of milk. Moreover, replacing dairy milk with soya milk seems to nullify the negative effects on tea catechins. Soya mil Continue reading >>

Effect Of Camel Milk On Blood Sugar And Lipid Profile Of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Clinical Trial

Go to: Abstract It has been shown that camel milk consumption has a definite decreasing effect on the prevalence of diabetes. However, most of these studies were conducted on patients with type 1 diabetes, whereas studies on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are limited. In vitro experiments have shown that camel milk was able to decrease blood glucose concentration. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of camel and cow milk on blood sugar, lipid profile, and blood pressure of patients with T2DM. In a randomized single-blinded controlled clinical trial, 20 patients with T2DM were randomly allocated into two groups. Participants consumed 500 mL of either camel milk (intervention group) or cow milk (control group) daily for two months. Mean of insulin concentration was significantly increased from 64.59 to 84.03 pmol/L in the camel milk group during the study (P < 0.05). No significant differences were shown in fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and blood pressure between the two groups at the end of study. There was significant increase in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) during the study in both groups, but no significant difference was seen between the two groups. Camel milk increased insulin level in patients with T2DM and might contribute to glycemic control in T2DM. Keywords: Camel, Milk, Insulin, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus bData are presented as means ± SD or No. cNo significant difference between groups at baseline (Independent-samples t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test). Continue reading >>

Dietary Recommendations For Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs in about 7 percent of all pregnancies. It usually arises in the second half of pregnancy and goes away as soon as the baby is born. However, if gestational diabetes is not treated, you may experience complications. The first step in treating gestational diabetes is to modify your diet to help keep your blood sugar level in the normal range, while still eating a healthy diet. Most women with well-controlled blood sugar deliver healthy babies without any complications. One way of keeping your blood sugar levels in normal range is by monitoring the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Carbohydrate foods digest and turn into blood glucose (a type of sugar). Glucose in the blood is necessary because it is the fuel for your body and nourishment your baby receives from you. However, it's important that glucose levels stay within target. Carbohydrates in Food Carbohydrates are found in the following foods: Milk and yogurt Fruits and juices Rice, grains, cereals and pasta Breads, tortillas, crackers, bagels and rolls Dried beans, split peas and lentils Potatoes, corn, yams, peas and winter squash Sweets and desserts, such as sugar, honey, syrups, pastries, cookies, soda and candy also typically have large amounts of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates in foods are measured in units called grams. You can count how many carbohydrates are in foods by reading food labels and learning the exchange lists. The two most important pieces of information on food labels for a carbohydrate-controlled diet is the serving size and grams of total carbohydrate in each serving. Dietary Recommendations It is important to be meet with a registered dietitian to have your diet assessed. The dietitian will calcula Continue reading >>

What’s The Best Type Of Milk For You?

Jewels Doskicz is a registered nurse, freelance writer, patient advocate, health coach, and long-distance cyclist. Jewels is the moderator of Diabetic Connect’s weekly #DCDE Twitter chat, and she and her daughter both live healthfully with type 1 diabetes. “Just because something is called 'milk' does not mean it’s nutritious,” warns Dr. David Katz, a nutrition expert from the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center. If you’ve taken a look beyond dairy lately, “milk” options abound, often leaving consumers wondering what’s best for their health. The milk controversy: do we need milk? Dairy milk is certainly full of protein, but most people in the United States aren’t lacking protein in their diets. “Rather than acknowledge that they get along just fine without it, many seek out ‘milk’ substitutes, like soymilk, around which whole industries have been built,” according to Aaron E. Carroll, MD, in the New York Times. Dr. Carroll, professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, finds there’s “nothing wrong with a periodic glass because you like it,” but he argues that “there’s also very little evidence that it’s doing them much good.” The USDA may recommend three cups per day, even for adults, but that’s a controversial suggestion. We’re told calcium strengthens our bones, but studies show the calcium in milk may not be providing that for us, regardless of the dairy industry’s claims. Nutrients “Milks” are now being made from grains, nuts and seeds—a huge change from the past when dairy milk was king—giving those with allergies, lactose intolerance, and other diet restrictions a slew of other options to choose from. Dairy milk isn’t without its benefits. It’s chock-full of vitamins D and K, protein Continue reading >>

Can Diabetics Drink Milk

When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without causing significant fluctuations in glucose levels. One such food item is milk. So the question remains: is it safe for diabetics? Actually, milk is fine for diabetics, as long as they use the moderation rule. However, they do need to consider how it can affect their blood sugar. It is best if the milk is low fat so that it causes that much less of a surge in sugar. Whole milk is not a good idea, though, due to the high levels of both glucose and lactose. For those who enjoy milk but may have an apprehension to drinking it there are other alternatives. You can try soy or rice milk. These offer virtually the same flavor as cow's milk but with some added nutritional features. These milks are also low in fat, which is one of the features of cow's milk that is not favorable. Plus, alternative milk options takes care of the problem that some have with lactose. Diabetics also have to be leery of other products that contain milk. For instance, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream, and certain creams and sauces used in cooking. It is not only necessary to watch out for these as it relates to milk, but also fat and calorie content, as well. In the end, milk is safe for diabetics as long as it is consumed in small quantities and using low fat or fat free, as long as fat and calorie content is heeded. Type 2 diabetes is different from type 1 diabetes in many ways. As its alternate name of adult-onset diabetes implies, it is usually only found in adults. However, the rate of children acquiring the disease is going up. Type 2 diabetes is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes due to the fact that, unlike type 1, insulin injections are not always required for treatm Continue reading >>

Tea And Diabetes

Tweet Tea is one of the nation’s favourite drinks and research suggests it’s also a healthy drink. Tea brings a number of health benefits including improving insulin sensitivity. However, research notes that some the benefits are best experienced if you drink your tea without milk. Benefits of tea Research suggests the following benefits may be enjoyed from tea: Improving insulin sensitivity Maintaining healthy blood pressure Preventing blood clots Reducing risk of cardiovascular disease Reducing risks of developing type 2 diabetes Reducing risks of developing cancer How does tea help diabetes? Teas such as black tea, green tea and oolong tea contain polyphenols which researchers believe may increase insulin activity. An American study of 2002 found, however, that addition of milk in tea decreased the insulin-sensitising effects of tea. [22] Can tea prevent diabetes? Polyphenols are known to have anti-oxidative properties which can help protect against inflammation and carcinogens. In other words, the properties in tea can help to prevent type 2 diabetes as well as cancer. A Dutch study from 2009 indicates that drinking three cups of tea (or coffee) could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 40%. [21] Other factors for preventing type 2 diabetes include: Eating minimal amounts of processed foods Eating fresh vegetables regularly through the day Including physical activity into each day Not smoking Keeping alcohol intake low Tea and stress relief Tea also contains tiny micronutrients called flavonoids which can help parts of the body to function better. There are many different types of flavonoid and each have different health properties. One flavonoid of interest that is found in tea is theanine which can help to control blood pressure and lower stress. Continue reading >>

Eating Curd To Avoid Type 2 Diabetes

Summer is hitting hard in India. It’s time to bid goodbye to the winter season which was unusually & bitterly chilled this year in North India. Weathermen in Southern India also recorded much drop in temperature as compared to the usually warmer climate. So, get ready to welcome the summary summer. Remember if you are a diabetic you need to take care of yourself a bit more in extreme cold or hot weathers. Well, one good thing of summer is you get to drink a lot of water and you have options of eating a lot of seasonal fruits. The seasonal fruits including watermelon, mangoes, plums, papaya etc. are very good for a diabetic. For more details on what to eat and what not to, check out our blog on Best & Worst Food for Diabetes. As a diabetes practitioner for over two decades, my personal favorite in summer is curd and curd related foods. Of course apart from possibility of drinking loads of water which helps in detoxifying the body and plenty of fruits to fill your stomach, all this helps in fighting diabetes. Why I like curd more is its simple and effective composition giving you enough nutrition and also the possibility of preparing buttermilk or using it as raita or using it as topping on your salad, there are plenty of options. Recently, when I read about a research conducted by scientists in UK which claimed that curd/ yogurt helps in combating diabetes I was really excited and happy. Most of Indians like curd and use it as staple diet every day. Hopefully, this will be a good reason for people who wish to prevent type 2 diabetes as much as enjoy eating the low fat curd. As per the research, eating low-fat curd/ yogurt can help to reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 28 percent compared to not eating any curd. Curd anyways has known health benefits as it contai Continue reading >>

Dairy And Diabetes

All of us, whether we have diabetes or not, need some dairy products (or non-dairy alternatives like soya products) such as milk, cheese and yogurt every day. These all contain proteins and vitamins and are an important source of calcium, which help to keep your bones and teeth strong. Some dairy foods, however, can be high in fat and saturated fat, so choose lower-fat alternatives where you can. Adults and older children who consume too much fat may find they gain weight and too much saturated fat can cause your cholesterol levels to rise, which increases your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Unfortunately, diabetes increases your risk of having CVD, so it pays to opt for the lower-fat options to help manage your risk. How much per day? Aim for 3 portions. What's a portion? One portion equals: 190ml (⅓ pint ) milk a small pot of yogurt 2 tbsp cottage cheese a matchbox-sized portion of cheese (30g) How to make healthy dairy choices Milk Switching to lower-fat milk, such as semi-skimmed milk (green top) from whole milk (blue top), which contains the most fat, is a good start. To make even more of a difference, try 1 per cent fat milk (orange top) or even better skimmed milk (red top). Lower-fat milks have all the goodness of whole milk, including calcium, all you lose is the fat. This table shows the savings you could make. The figures are for 100ml but bear in mind a pint is 568ml, which many of us consume each day on cereal and in cups of tea and coffee. It shows how the savings can really add up. Milk Kcal /100ml Fat /100ml Saturated fat /100ml Carbohydrate /100ml Of which sugars /100ml Salt /100ml Whole 64 3.6 2.3 4.7 4.7 0.1 Semi-skimmed 50 1.8 1.1 4.8 4.8 0.1 1% fat 43 1 0.7 4.9 4.9 0.1 Skimmed 35 0.1 < 0.1 5 5 0.1 To help you see if your favourite milk or c Continue reading >>

Top 10 Worst Foods For Diabetes

These foods can can cause blood sugar spikes or increase your risk of diabetes complications. Whole Milk For those with diabetes, a diet high in saturated fat can worsen insulin resistance. Keep whole milk out of the fridge, and pick up 1% (low-fat) or skim (non-fat) milk instead. Also, try your best to avoid other whole-milk dairy products like cream, full-fat yogurt, regular cheese and cream cheese; instead, choose their reduced-fat counterparts whenever possible Previous Next More Photos Bacon White Bread Continue reading >>

Can Unsweetened Almond Milk Help To Lower Blood Glucose?

Keeping blood glucose -- or blood sugar -- levels in check means leading a healthy lifestyle, controlling your carb intake and taking medications if your doctor recommends them. Though your body does require carbs daily to function properly, excess carbohydrate consumption can cause spikes in blood sugar. Drinking unsweetened almond milk instead of higher-carb beverages won’t increase your blood sugar as much. Choosing unsweetened almond milk over cow’s milk, sweetened almond milk or regular soy milk can help minimize blood sugar increases. This is because unsweetened almond milk contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates per cup and will cause little -- if any -- increase in blood sugar. This would be beneficial for people with diabetes, or prediabetes, and anyone who wants to control overall carbohydrate intake to keep blood sugar levels under control. Benefits of Almond Milk Unsweetened almond milk is a low-calorie beverage rich in heart-healthy fats. A cup contains just 30 calories, making it beneficial when you’re trying to shed pounds. In comparison, 1 cup of skim milk contains about 85 calories and 12 grams of carbs, and a cup of unsweetened soy milk provides about 80 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates. Many types of unsweetened almond milk are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, zinc, riboflavin and vitamins A, D, B-12 and E. Potential Drawbacks The unsweetened version of almond milk lacks the protein found in cow's and soy milks. While skim and soy milks often contain 7 to 8 grams of dietary protein, unsweetened almond milk provides just 1 gram. Furthermore, since carbohydrates are your body’s preferred source of energy and protein helps boost satiety, drinking unsweetened almond milk may not curb your hunger, unless pair Continue reading >>