Beverage Dos And Don'ts For Diabetes
To successfully manage type 2 diabetes, plan your beverages as carefully as you plan your food choices. That typically means taking sugary drinks — such as soda, sweet tea, and even juice — off the table. You might be surprised at how much a single drink can affect you when you have type 2 diabetes. Drinking just one soda a day is associated with developing type 2 diabetes, according to 2013 research in the journal PLoS One. When you are faced with so many new constraints on sugar and other carbs after a diabetes diagnosis, you may be left asking, “What can I still drink?” Fortunately, there’s a variety of refreshing, flavorful beverages you can enjoy, says Katherine Basbaum, RD, a clinical dietitian in the Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation departments at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. Before you take your next sip, here are the top drinking dos and don’ts for those with diabetes. Do Drink: Water Water is one of the few beverages you can drink without worry throughout the day and a great way to stay hydrated. If you often forget to drink as much water as you should, Basbaum has a suggestion for increasing your intake: Drink one 8-ounce glass of water for every other beverage you drink that contains sugar substitutes or caffeine. Shake things up with sparkling water or by squeezing lemon or lime juice into your glass. Do Drink: Skim Milk “Skim or low-fat milk is also a good beverage option, but it must be counted toward your carb total for a particular meal or snack,” Basbaum says. Cow’s milk also provides protein and calcium. Be aware that non-dairy options, such as almond milk, may have added sweeteners and flavorings. Don’t Drink: Sugar-Sweetened Soda or Tea “Sugar-sweetened drinks are absorbed into your bloodstr Continue reading >>
How Fast Should Blood Sugar Come Up After Drinking Orange Juice?
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or you simply struggle with unstable blood-sugar levels, you can probably identify when your glucose level gets too low. Common symptoms of low-blood sugar include anxiety, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, sweating and headaches. Drinking one-half cup of orange juice can quickly correct your low blood-sugar problem. Video of the Day The American Diabetes Association recommends that you wait 15 minutes after drinking one-half cup of orange juice to re-check your blood-sugar level. Your blood sugar should return to a normal level within 15 minutes. If it’s still low, drink another one-half cup of orange juice and wait another 15 minutes before re-checking your sugar. Keep in mind, however, that 100 percent of the juice does not convert to glucose within those 15 minutes, so your blood-sugar level may rise even higher within the next hour. Continue reading >>
Does Orange Juice Raise Blood Sugar Levels?
Orange juice contains natural sugar that will cause your blood sugar levels to rise after drinking it. Diabetics and people with hypoglycemia are often instructed to drink a glass of orange juice if blood sugar levels are low. Even though orange juice will raise blood sugar, it does not raise them as quickly as some other high-sugar foods and beverages. Video of the Day The glycemic index is measurement of how much foods affect blood sugar. Foods with a glycemic index value less than 55 are considered low glycemic index foods, affecting the blood sugar less high-glycemic foods. Glycemic values between 55 and 70 indicate a medium effect on blood sugar. Foods over 70 have a high glycemic value, affecting blood sugar significantly and quickly. Orange juice has a glycemic value of about 50, as indicated by Harvard Health. This value indicates that orange juice is actually a low glycemic food. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when blood glucose values are less than 70 mg/dL, which can cause symptoms such as sweating, weakness, hunger and heart palpitations. When these occur, drinking a glass of orange juice boosts your blood sugar and relieves these feelings, although it may take 20 minutes or longer for your blood sugar levels to rise. Glucose tablets and other oral glucose products for diabetics raise blood sugar more quickly. The sugar content of orange juice may differ between manufacturers due to the types of oranges used and whether it is made from concentrate. Some brands may include added sugar to sweeten otherwise tart juice. Other brands may use artificial sweeteners that do not affect blood sugar levels. Be sure to read product labels carefully. If orange juice has added sugar, add this fact into your decision about whether there are other, better choices Continue reading >>
The #1 Reason To Avoid Orange Juice
When discussing sources of “hidden sugars” with my patients I find that they are often very surprised at my position on orange juice. Essentially, I have taken it off the table. Frequently, the response I get is, “But what about the vitamin C?” The reality of the situation is that yes, a glass of orange juice does indeed contain some vitamin C, but that fact hardly outweighs the fact that O.J. is just loaded with sugar. A single 12 ounce glass of O.J. contains an incredible 9 teaspoons of sugar, about the same as a 12 ounce can of Coke! This equates to 36 grams of carbs, about half of what you should consume in a day. Let’s do a little math. If a person were to drink just one glass of orange juice each day, that would mean that he or she would be consuming an extra 3,285 teaspoons (close to 70 cups) of sugar in a year or about 53,000 extra calories. This likely translates to unwanted weight gain., and as we’ve just learned from a study published last week, sugar consumption worsens blood pressure and cardiovascular risk markers, even in the absence of weight gain. So if you’re concerned about vitamin C, sleep easy knowing that you’re probably getting enough in your multivitamin. The cost to your health from the sugar load in a glass of orange juice should justify your decision to opt out. Read Next Continue reading >>
5 Ways To Treat Low Blood Sugar
There are many ways I have treated a low blood glucose (BG) over the 10 plus years I have lived with type 1 diabetes, and I’ve determined how quickly my body reacts to particular items. Depending on my low, I use a different item to treat it, but always aim for 15 grams of fast acting carbohydrates. For example, if my blood sugar is beginning to trend low, then I will treat with candy, but if my blood sugar is already low (below 70 mg/dL for myself), I will treat with juice. However, I always try to be prepared and have either candy, juice, or glucose tabs with me at all times. Below are five different ways I treat a low blood sugar. 1. Hard Candy When I receive a Low Predicted Alert from my MiniMed 530G that my blood sugar is beginning to trend low, I will grab hard candy, such as a bag of Skittles, and eat about 15 pieces. Over my 10+ years of living with type 1 diabetes, I have been able to estimate the amount of Skittles needed to raise my blood sugar to my desired levels. I prefer using hard candy to help treat a low because they are easy to carry and store. For example, my wife always carries a small ziplock bag full of them in her purse. That way, no matter where we are, if a low blood sugar hits, I am prepared. I also take a small bag with me whenever I travel, golf, attend meetings, etc. 2. Juice Juice is my preferred method of treating a low when my blood sugar levels have gone below 70 mg/dL and are trending low. I prefer this method because it is fast acting for me. For example, in the middle of the night, if I have a low blood sugar and wake up from the Threshold Suspend alarm, I know I need glucose fast, so will drink a half cup of orange juice, apple juice, or any other type of juice we have in the house at that particular time. Also, if I am going to b Continue reading >>
Can Diabetics Drink Orange Juice?
One cup of orange juice contains 140% of vitamin C you can consume for daily use, along with 10% of DV for folate and 20% of DV for thiamine. But, diabetics should be careful when drinking orange juice as it can cause spike in blood sugar. So, you need to drink in moderation. Glycemic index is a measuring index to determine the effect of blood sugar due to foods high in carbohydrates. Higher glycemic index means higher blood sugar levels by consuming food. On scale of 100, orange juice has GI rating from 66 to 76, according to the type of juice. There are different factors affecting the GI of orange juice, such as freshness of food in juicing, whether it is made of concentrate or organic, and whether it contains pulp. Orange juice is much recommended for carbohydrate to treat hypoglycemia or low blood sugar in diabetes. It can easily improve the levels of your blood sugar. Drink at least 4 oz. of orange juice and check blood sugar levels again after 10 to 15 minutes and repeat the process if you still have low blood sugar level. You still need to eat two servings of fruit every day, at least, despite having diabetes. Despite having carbohydrates which can cause spike in your blood sugar level , fruits are very healthy and can be low in fat and calories. They also have vital nutrients, such as vitamins A and C, folate and dietary fiber. Must Read: Is Ghee (Clarified Butter) Good for Diabetic Patients? The effect on blood sugar level varies according to the food you eat with orange juice. So, always consume juices, fruits and other items that are high on GI and with meals rather than eating them alone. Combine foods that are high in carbohydrates with food items that are rich in fat, protein , or fiber that can slow the absorption of carbohydrates and control the overall Continue reading >>
What Fruit Juice Can People With Diabetes Drink?
Tweet Fruit juice has, until recently, been considered a great way to get your five a day. people with diabetes need to moderate their fruit juice intake as larger glasses of juice can substantially raise blood sugar levels. The key is to In addition, more recently, regular consumption of fruit juice has been linked with an increase in type 2 diabetes risk. What's in fruit juice? Aside from vitamin C and calcium, fruit juice contains: Calories - 250ml glass of unsweetened orange juice typically contains around 100 calories, compared to the 60 calories in an actual orange Fructose (a form of sugar) - half a pint of fruit juice contains more sugar than the World Health Organisation recommends ideally having in a day (30g of sugar for men, 24g for women) A lack of fibre - juice always contains less fibre than whole fruit and highly processed juices may not contain any fibre How does this affect my diabetes? Badly, is the short answer. Sugar levels in fruit juice can cause a significant spike in blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia. The glycemic index, which is used to reflect the impact on blood sugar levels of individual foods, places orange juice between 66 and 76 on a scale of 100. Compared to whole fruits and vegetables, juice doesn't offer much fibre. (it's stripped away in the juicing process). Fibre is a kind of carbohydrate that, because the body doesn't break it down, is calorie-free, so it doesn't affect your blood sugar, making it important for people with diabetes. Soluble fibre can help lower your cholesterol levels and improve blood glucose control if eaten in large amounts. Apples, oranges, and pears all contain soluble fibre, but not when juiced. Is fruit juice all bad for people with diabetes? Fruit juice has some benefits for people wi Continue reading >>
Juice Vs. Fruit: What’s Better For Diabetes?
This past week, results of a European study, published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition in 2006, made the news. This study was actually a comprehensive review of the literature on fruit and vegetable juices. And while it may not sound like an exciting paper to read, this study does raise an interesting point. Here’s the crux of the study, according to the authors: “When considering cancer and coronary heart disease prevention, there is no evidence that pure fruit and vegetable juices are less beneficial than whole fruit and vegetables.” Dietitians may find this study to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s good news. For people who dislike eating fruits or vegetables, downing a glass of grape juice or carrot juice is an easy way to get the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants they need to help prevent heart disease and cancer. And we need all the help we can get when it comes to battling these two diseases. But, on the other hand, the issue of calories and carbohydrate surfaces when it comes to folks who are trying to watch their weight and/or who have diabetes. If you’ve ever met with a dietitian for your diabetes, chances are you’ve been advised to limit fruit juices. Why? Well, a 4-ounce glass of orange juice, for example, contains about 60 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrate. In the carbohydrate counting method of diabetes meal planning, this is considered “one carb choice.” What’s 15 grams of carbohydrate, you might argue? It’s not a lot of carbohydrate, all things considered. But, if you’re pouring yourself a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, do you really measure out just 4 ounces? If you honestly do, great. Most people don’t, though, and end up drinking more like 8 or 12 ounces, since 4 ounces a Continue reading >>
Does Orange Juice Raise Blood Sugar Levels?
One cup of orange juice provides you with an impressive 140 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, as well as 20 percent of the DV for thiamine and 10 percent of the DV for folate. However, diabetics need to take care when consuming orange juice, as it can quickly cause a rise in blood sugar levels. The glycemic index is used to measure the effect of carbohydrate-containing foods on blood sugar levels. The higher the glycemic index, the more a particular food affects blood sugar levels. Orange juice has a glycemic index rating of between 66 and 76 on a scale of 100, depending on the type of juice. Many factors can influence the glycemic index of orange juice, including the freshness of the fruit used to make the juice, whether it is fresh or made from concentrate and whether it has pulp. Use During Hypoglycemia Orange juice is one of the recommended sources of carbohydrate for treating low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, in diabetics because it quickly increases your blood sugar levels. For this condition, drink 4 ounces of orange juice and recheck blood sugar levels after 10 to 15 minutes, repeating the treatment if blood sugar levels are still too low. Recommended Intake Even if you are diabetic, you should still consume at least two servings of fruit per day. Although fruits contain carbohydrates that can raise your blood sugar, they are very nutritious and tend to be low in calories and fat. They also contain essential nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamins C and A and folate. Considerations What you eat with orange juice or other fruits will alter how they affect your blood sugar levels. Always eat fruits, juices and other foods high on the glycemic index with meals instead of on their own. Combining foods high in carbohydrates with foods high in protein, fa Continue reading >>
What Can I Drink If I Have Diabetes?
Having diabetes means that you have to be aware of everything you eat or drink. Knowing the amount of carbohydrates you ingest and how they may affect your blood sugar is crucial. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends zero-calorie or low-calorie drinks. The main reason is to prevent a spike in blood sugar. Choosing the right drinks can help you avoid unpleasant side effects, manage your symptoms, and maintain a healthy weight. Water Unsweetened tea Unsweetened coffee Sugar-free fruit juice Low-fat milk Zero- or low-calorie drinks are typically your best bet when choosing a drink. Squeeze some fresh lemon or lime juice into your drink for a refreshing, low-calorie kick. Whether you’re at home or at a restaurant, here are the most diabetes-friendly beverage options. 1. Water When it comes to hydration, water is the best option for people with diabetes. That’s because it won’t raise your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can cause dehydration. Drinking enough water can help your body eliminate excess glucose through urine. Women should drink approximately 8 glasses of water each day, while men should drink about 10 glasses. If plain water doesn’t appeal to you, create some variety by: adding slices of lemon, lime, or orange adding sprigs of flavourful herbs, such as mint, basil, or lemon balm crushing a couple of fresh or frozen raspberries into your drink 2. Tea Research has shown that green tea has a positive effect on your general health. It can also help reduce your blood pressure and lower your LDL cholesterol levels. Some research suggests that drinking up to six cups a day may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. However, more research is needed. Whether you choose green, black, or herbal tea, you should avoid sweeteners. For a refreshi Continue reading >>
Top 10 Worst Foods For Diabetes
These foods can can cause blood sugar spikes or increase your risk of diabetes complications. Fruit Juice While whole fruits are a healthy, fiber-rich carbohydrate option for diabetics, the same can’t be said for fruit juice. They may offer more nutritional benefit than soda and other sugary drinks, but fruit juices — even 100 percent fruit juices — are chock full of fruit sugar, and therefore cause a sharp spike in blood sugar. Skipping the glass of juice and opting for the fiber-packed whole fruit counterpart will help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels and fill you up on fewer calories, aiding in weight loss. For a refreshing and healthy drink alternative, choose zero-calorie plain or naturally-flavored seltzer and jazz it up with a wedge of lemon or lime. Continue reading >>
Treating Low Blood Sugars Quickly
Unless you are eating a meal right away, the best treatment for lows is a combination of simple and complex carbohydrates plus some protein. Quickly treating lows lessens stress hormone release and lowers the chance of the blood sugar going high after a reaction. You'll feel better if the body is quickly resupplied with the fuel it needs.Your brain, muscles and other cells will thank you for not prolonging their misery. Eat 15 to 20 grams of fast acting carbohydrates immediately. Consider how much unused bolus insulin may still be active. Decide whether complex carbohydrates and/or protein are needed to keep you stable until you eat your next meal. Test your blood sugar 30 minutes later to make sure it has risen. Repeat step 1 if necessary. After a moderate or severe low blood sugar, wait 30 to 45 minutes before driving or operating machinery. A return to normal coordination and thinking is slower than the return to a normal blood sugar. You may need to eat more than 20 grams for a low: when you took a carb bolus for a meal but never ate it. when it has been only an hour or two since your last injection of rapid insulin. when you have been more physically active. Glucose is the "sugar" in blood sugar and may also be referred to as dextrose on labels. It comes in tablets, such as Dex4 or BD Glucose tablets, and in certain candies like Sweet Tarts. Glucose breaks down quickly and reaches the blood as 100 percent glucose, which makes it the best choice for raising the blood sugar quickly. Another good product for raising your glucose is Glucolift Glucose Tablets . Table sugar consists of one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule, so when it breaks down in the stomach, only half is immediately available as glucose. Fruit juices, like orange juice, contain mostly fruct Continue reading >>
Can Diabetics Drink Orange Juice?
If you’re living with diabetes, caution around what you eat and drink is natural. Certain foods like sugary sodas are clearly off the cards. But when fresh produce and fiber are recommended, or your sugar levels are dipping, is it okay to reach for a glass of orange juice? What’s In Your Orange Juice? A fresh squeezed glass of orange juice contains 112 kcal, 20.83 gm of sugars, and 25.79 gm of carbohydrates. This 248 gm serving also delivers lots of calcium and vitamin C, as well as nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin A and folate. These minerals and vitamins are important for a range of normal body functions and also have antioxidant properties that make them good for health.1 Yet, there is concern around whether or not diabetics should even be considering having the juice due to the sugar and carb content in a glass of OJ(orange juice). Should Diabetics Be Worried? The American Diabetes Association recommends drinking low calorie(or even zero calorie drinks) like plain water or unsweetened tea and coffee. When you need a cool drink, they suggest water with a squeeze of lime. Flavored water with orange slices could work just as well. But what about orange juice?2 The Association advises against consuming sugary drinks of any kind, and that could well mean your favorite packaged orange juice doesn’t pass muster. In fact, some fruit juices can be as high in natural sugars as sodas, even if they don’t have any added sugar in them.3 If you’re watching your diet and taking care not to have high glycemic index(GI) foods which increase blood glucose levels quickly (causing a potentially dangerous spike in sugar levels), then aim for foods with a glycemic load of 10 and under. These are low GI foods. Once the GI goes over 20, they’re considered Continue reading >>
How To Treat Hypoglycemia
Q: Several times a day I get very shaky and light-headed. I usually grab a glass of orange juice and some peanut butter crackers. This helps, but what else can I do? A: It sounds like you're having low blood glucose reactions (hypoglycemia). Plasma glucose levels lower than approximately 70 mg/dl can be defined as hypoglycemia. Common symptoms include these: a general sense of something not feeling right Some behaviors that increase the risk of hypoglycemia are these: too much medication or insulin skipping or delaying meals not eating enough carbohydrates at a meal increasing physical activity without adjusting carbohydrate intake To help prevent hypoglycemia, do not skip or delay meals, and make sure you eat the planned-for carbohydrates in your meals and snacks. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether you need to adjust your medication or eat additional carbohydrates for physical activity. To treat hypoglycemia, raise your blood glucose level quickly by eating or drinking something that contain 15 grams of glucose or carbohydrates containing glucose. The following are a few good options: Hypoglycemia is very serious and shouldn't be taken lightly. Occasional episodes can happen with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and can be treated with foods that provide carbohydrates. Frequent episodes can cause long-term damage and hypoglycemia unawareness, in which you don't recognize you're having a reaction and can lose consciousness. Review your diabetes management with your health-care providers to make sure you're balancing food, exercise, and medication properly. Jeannette Jordan, M.S., R.D., CDE, is the American Dietetic Association's national spokesperson for African-American nutrition issues and oversees nutrition education at the Medical University of South Carolina Continue reading >>
The Best And Worst Drinks For Diabetics
Drinks for Diabetics iStock When you have diabetes, choosing the right drink isn’t always simple. And recent studies may only add to the confusion. Is coffee helpful or harmful to insulin resistance? Does zero-calorie diet soda cause weight gain? We reviewed the research and then asked three top registered dietitians, who are also certified diabetes educators, what they tell their clients about seven everyday drinks. Here’s what to know before you sip. Drink More: Water iStock Could a few refreshing glasses of water assist with blood sugar control? A recent study in the journal Diabetes Care suggests so: The researchers found that people who drank 16 ounces or less of water a day (two cups’ worth) were 30 percent more likely to have high blood sugar than those who drank more than that daily. The connection seems to be a hormone called vasopressin, which helps the body regulate hydration. Vasopressin levels increase when a person is dehydrated, which prompts the liver to produce more blood sugar. How much: Experts recommend six to nine 8-ounce glasses of water per day for women and slightly more for men. You’ll get some of this precious fluid from fruit and vegetables and other fluids, but not all of it. “If you’re not in the water habit, have a glass before each meal,” recommends Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and author of The African American Guide to Living Well with Diabetes. “After a few weeks, add a glass at meals too.” Drink More: Milk iStock Moo juice isn’t just a kids’ drink. It provides the calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin D your body needs for many essential functions. Plus, research shows it may also boost weight loss. In one study of 322 people trying to sl Continue reading >>
