Eating Potatoes Linked To Gestational Diabetes
A new study suggests that eating potatoes before you get pregnant or when trying to conceive is linked with a higher chance of gestational diabetes. Doesn't the list of what you should and shouldn't consume during, and even before, pregnancy seems so long? Well, you might want to add another food to the list: the seemingly harmless potato. In a recent study published in The BMJ, researchers found a connection between eating the starchy veggie pre-pregnancy and a greater risk for gestational diabetes (GD) while expecting. Potato, potato? Researchers looked at more than 15,000 women who became pregnant over a ten-year period. Through self-reported surveys, the scientists tracked the women's food intake and compared it with which ones were diagnosed with gestational diabetes (also called gestational diabetes mellitus, or GDM), a condition marked by high blood sugar, during pregnancy. They found that the women who ate more potatoes, including baked, boiled, mashed and fried, had a higher rate of gestational diabetes during pregnancy—even after they took into account other factors like weight and overall diet quality. "Pre-pregnancy potato consumption was significantly and positively associated with the risk of GDM," the study's senior author Cuilin Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., a senior investigator at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), tells Fit Pregnancy. This is the first study to look at potatoes' effect on the development of GDM. Although it didn't identify a specific threshold over which it's unhealthy to eat potatoes, "our data indicated that the more potato women consumed before pregnancy, the greater their risk," Dr. Zhang says. "In particular, consuming five or more than five servings per week was related to more t Continue reading >>
Eating Potatoes Like This Can Be Healthy For Diabetics
Bake them, mash them, grill them or deep-fry them, potatoes in any form or shape are a delight to eat! Touted to be an important food staple and the number one vegetable crop in the world, they are available all year-round in India. But did you know that potatoes are a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial plant Solanum tuberosum? They are a complex carbohydrate similar to rice, wheat and other ground provisions. Carbohydrate options for diabetes is usually defined by the Glycemic Index value. The glycemic index rating of potatoes makes them a “bad” carb. Any GI score above 70 is high, indicating the food causes a rapid spike in blood sugar. The GI of potatoes is variable between 58 and 111; on an average, it is 78 for a boiled one and 87 for an instant cooked one. However, potatoes are incredibly popular worldwide an, aren’t considered unhealthy unless and until deep fried. So, should diabetics really be eating potatoes? Let us find out! First of all, Let’s Understand the Relationship Between Glycemic Index and Diabetes According to Dr Manoj Kutteri, Wellness Director at Atmantan Wellness Centre, “Our body performs at an optimum level when the blood sugar is kept relatively constant and not fluctuating to the extremes. When the blood sugar drops too low, one becomes lethargic and experience increased hunger. If it goes very high, our brain signals the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Insulin helps to strike a balance in the blood sugar level by converting the excess sugar to fat. The higher the blood sugar level, the more will the insulin secretion which rapidly lowers the sugar to too low level. Therefore, when one eats food that is high in GI value, they will feel a transient elevation in energy due to raised sugar, but this is followed by a cycle of l Continue reading >>
What Should I Eat If I Have Type 2 Diabetes?
Q. Newly diabetic (Type 2). What can I eat and what shouldn’t I eat? Will one day matter? — risa59, Upstate N.Y. A. With all forms of diabetes, the goal is consistent management of your blood sugar to prevent the long-term damage to nerves, blood vessels and organs that can result from uncontrolled diabetes. When you have Type 2 diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or is unable to use it well. Overeating, particularly high carbohydrate foods like many of those served at Thanksgiving, will cause your blood sugar to rise. Even in the short-term, this can cause headaches, fatigue and leave you feeling generally lousy. Thanksgiving is just one day, but you will feel better and enjoy the holiday more if you pay attention to what and how much you eat. This doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite foods. Hopefully, you are working with your doctor or a dietitian and learning about monitoring your blood sugar, counting carbohydrates in foods and staying active. For Thanksgiving, feel free to taste everything, but pay attention to portion size and limit your intake of high-carbohydrate foods. Remember that drinks like alcoholic beverages and eggnog are loaded with sugars, so it’s often a good idea to skip these and drink water since the table is likely to be filled with many of your favorite high-carb foods. Many diabetes educators advise patients to use a plate strategy during holiday time. Fill half of your 9-inch plate with nonstarchy vegetables — this includes salad, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, turnips, carrots and others. (You can find list of nonstarchy vegetables here.) Reserve a quarter of your plate for the turkey, but leave off the skin. The remaining quarter of your plate can include dollops of your favorite starchy foods l Continue reading >>
Can I Eat Rice If I Have Diabetes?
Diet plays an important role in staying healthy, especially for people with diabetes. Many people wonder whether high-carbohydrate foods such as rice are healthy to eat. This article will explain how to count carbohydrates, how to incorporate rice into the diet, and what the healthy alternatives to rice are. Diabetes basics Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases where the body does not adequately produce insulin, use insulin properly, or both. Insulin plays a crucial role in allowing blood sugar to enter the cells and be used for energy. There are two main types: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes have abnormally high levels of blood sugar. This can damage many organs in the body if left untreated. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommend the following steps to manage diabetes: making healthy choices in eating engaging in regular physical activity or exercise taking medications, if required A nutritious diet is important in keeping blood sugar levels at a healthy level. The healthy range is 80 to 130 milligrams per deciliter mg/dL before meals or below 180 mg/dL after meals, according to the American Diabetes Association. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin. Various insulin delivery systems and protocols are used to manage blood sugar levels both between and at meal times. People with type 2 diabetes often manage their condition with diet and exercise, and with medications as needed to keep their blood sugar levels within the target range. These medications vary in how they work. People with diabetes will have different treatment plans, and they will respond to food, exercise, and medication differently. It is important that people consult with a doctor to get personalized recommendations on target blood suga Continue reading >>
13 Best And Worst Foods For People With Diabetes
If you have diabetes, watching what you eat is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy. "The basic goal of nutrition for people with diabetes is to avoid blood sugar spikes," said Dr. Gerald Bernstein, director of the diabetes management program at Friedman Diabetes Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Candy and soda can be dangerous for diabetics because the body absorbs these simple sugars almost instantly. But all types of carbs need to be watched, and foods high in fat—particularly unhealthy fats—are problematic as well because people with diabetes are at very high risk of heart disease, said Sandy Andrews, RD, director of education for the William Sansum Diabetes Center in Santa Barbara, Calif. Worst: White rice The more white rice you eat, the greater your risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a 2012 review. In a study of more than 350,000 people, those who ate the most white rice were at greatest risk for type 2 diabetes, and the risk increased 11 percent for each additional daily serving of rice. "Basically anything highly processed, fried, and made with white flour should be avoided," Andrews said. White rice and pasta can cause blood sugar spikes similar to that of sugar. Have this instead: Brown rice or wild rice. These whole grains don't cause the same blood sugar spikes thanks to fiber, which helps slow the rush of glucose into the bloodstream, Andrews said. What's more, a Harvard School of Public Health study found that two or more weekly servings of brown rice was linked to a lower diabetes risk. Worst: Blended coffees Blended coffees that are laced with syrup, sugar, whipped cream, and other toppings can have as many calories and fat grams as a milkshake, making them a poor choice for those with diabetes. A 16-ounce Continue reading >>
Sweet Potatoes Can Help Fight Diabetes
The main carbohydrate (read: sugar) source of the typical American dinner is either pasta, rice or potatoes. Anybody who is trying to keep their blood sugar down and improve their diabetes knows that these carbohydrates quickly convert into sugar during the digestion process, releasing a surge of insulin. This axis-of-evil blood-sugar-spikers are not a smart dining option for those looking to lose weight or lower their blood sugar levels. Dinners are most often consumed at around 7:00 p.m. Few Americans go for very long walks after dinner or engage in other forms of exercise; the most common activity is watching T.V. Though eating occasional high-carb meals like rice, pasta and potatoes won’t necessarily guarantee inducing someone into a diabetic coma, these foods should be consumed rarely and certainly earlier in the day (lunch) so there is plenty of time to burn off the sugars. Low-carb noodle and rice replacements like Miracle Noodle and Miracle Rice are perfect for those managing diabetes. Comprised entirely of fiber, Miracle Noodle products slightly expand in the stomach, helping you stay full, preventing the dangerous dietary pitfalls of cravings, largely brought on by consuming foods that burn up too quickly (carbohydrates). But what about potatoes? A major staple of the American diet, can potatoes be a part of a healthy, low glycemic diet? Can they be added with Miracle Noodle products? And what’s the better potato: white or sweet? White potatoes and the glycemic index Baked potatoes with bacon, chives and sour cream....what carb-crazy dieter doesn’t like the sound of that mouth-watering side dish? Though adding butter or sour cream and bacon bits to a baked potato might not sound like a healthy option to some, it’s actually better than eating a potato p Continue reading >>
Are Sweet Potatoes Good For Diabetics?
Diabetics have to keep a close eye on their diets, in order to manage carbohydrates and limit their impact on blood glucose and insulin levels. That means high-carbohydrate foods can be problematic, but some, such as sweet potatoes, offer substantial nutritional benefits to offset their impact on blood sugar. Deciding how much or how often you can consume them is an individual decision, but sweet potatoes can certainly find a place in a diabetic meal plan. Carbs in Sweet Potatoes Any discussion of food and diabetes management should begin with the American Diabetes Association's recommendation, which is to count the grams of carbohydrates you eat in a day. The number of carbs you need is calculated based on your body weight and activity levels, but as a rule the ADA suggests aiming for a range of 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per meal, although some people may require fewer for optimal blood sugar control. By that reckoning, sweet potatoes pose a challenge: One large baked sweet potato provides over 37 grams of carbs, which represents most of your allowance for that meal. By that measure, incorporating a sweet potato can sharply limit what else goes onto your plate. It's Not as Bad as it Looks That being said, there are a couple of reasons sweet potatoes might not throw your meal plan off balance. First, a large sweet potato is a substantial quantity, and if you're diabetic your meal plan probably calls for a serving of no more than 1/3 cup mashed or one small potato. This brings down your total carbohydrates to a much more manageable 12 grams for a small baked sweet potato, or a shade over 19 grams for 1/3 cup boiled, mashed sweet potato. Those figures are still high, but easier to incorporate into your daily total. Also, a large portion of those total carbohydrates Continue reading >>
Carbohydrates And Diabetes: What You Need To Know
Carbohydrates are our main source of energy and provide important nutrients for good health and a healthy, balanced diet. All the carbohydrates you eat and drink are broken down into glucose. The type, and amount, you consume can make a difference to your blood glucose levels and diabetes management. The two main types of carbohydrates Starchy foods: these include bread, pasta, potatoes, yams, breakfast cereals and couscous. Sugars: these can be divided into naturally occurring and added sugars: Naturally occurring: sugars found in fruits (fructose) and some dairy foods (lactose). Added sugars: found in sweets, chocolate, sugary drinks and desserts. Fibre This is another type of carbohydrate, which you can’t digest. Insoluble fibre, such as is found in wholemeal bread, brown rice and wholegrain cereals, helps keep the digestive system healthy. Soluble fibre, such as bananas, apples, carrots, potatoes, oats and barley, helps to keep your blood glucose and cholesterol under control. Make sure you eat both types of fibre regularly. Good sources of fibre include fruit and veg, nuts and seeds, oats, wholegrain breads and pulses. How much? Everyone needs some carbohydrate every day. The actual amount that you need to eat will depend on your age, activity levels and the goals you – and your family – are trying to achieve, for example trying to lose weight, improve blood glucose levels or improve sports performance. The total amount of carbohydrate eaten will have the biggest effect on your glucose levels. Insulin and carb counting If you’re living with diabetes, and take insulin, you’ll need to take that into account when eating carbs. Learn about which foods contain carbohydrates, how to estimate carbohydrate portions and how to monitor their effect on blood glucose Continue reading >>
The Right Diet For Prediabetes
A prediabetes diagnosis can be alarming. This condition is marked by abnormally high blood sugar (glucose) most often due to insulin resistance. This is a condition in which the body doesn’t use insulin properly. It’s often a precursor to type 2 diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with prediabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. With prediabetes, you may also be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, a prediabetes diagnosis doesn’t mean you will definitely get type 2 diabetes. The key is early intervention; to get your blood sugar out of the prediabetes range. Your diet is important, and you need to know the right kind of foods to eat. How diet relates to prediabetes There are many factors that increase your risk for prediabetes. Genetics can play a role, especially if diabetes runs in your family. Excess body fat and a sedentary lifestyle are other potential risk factors. In prediabetes, sugar from food begins to build up in your bloodstream because insulin can’t easily move it into your cells. Eating carbohydrates doesn’t cause prediabetes. But a diet filled with carbohydrates that digest quickly can lead to blood sugar spikes. For most people with prediabetes, your body has a difficult time lowering blood sugar levels after meals. Avoiding blood sugar spikes can help. When you eat more calories than your body needs, they get stored as fat. This can cause you to gain weight. Body fat, especially around the belly, is linked to insulin resistance. This explains why many people with prediabetes are also overweight. You can’t control all risk factors for prediabetes, but some can be mitigated. Lifestyle changes can help you maintain balanced blood sugar levels as well as a healthy weight. Watch carbs with Continue reading >>
Do Potatoes Cause Diabetes?
Are potatoes dangerous? Do potatoes cause diabetes? You might think so if you followed the headlines. In 2006, the media was full of reports making these claims, some of which are still being made today. All of this attention was based on the results of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.1 The prospective study followed 84,555 women in the famed Nurses’ Health Study. At the start, the women, aged 34–59 years, had no history of chronic disease, and completed a validated food frequency questionnaire. These women were then followed for 20 years with repeated assessments of their diet. The study concluded, “Our findings suggest a modest positive association between the consumption of potatoes and the risk of type 2 diabetes in women. This association was more pronounced when potatoes were substituted for whole grains.” So, let’s take a closer look at the study and see how accurate these claims are, and where the truth really lies. Specifically, we will look at five key points. Are all potatoes equal? Or “When is a potato not a potato?” In the study, participants were asked how often, on average, in the previous year, they had consumed potatoes. The options they were given to choose from were either: a) One baked or one cup mashed potato b) 4 ounces of french-fried potatoes These were the only two choices the subjects could pick from. So, while these may represent how potatoes are often consumed here in America, they do not account for any differences in how the potatoes were prepared and served. And mashed potatoes were counted in with baked potatoes, which are two completely different forms of preparing potatoes. In America, whether it is at home or in restaurants, most all mashed potatoes are made with milk and butter and/or marg Continue reading >>
Problem Foods: Can Diabetics Eat Potatoes?
Can people with diabetes eat potatoes? The answer is yes, and even more resounding when you have some info in your back pocket. Potatoes come in every form imaginable—from chips to potato salad, from fries to baked potatoes with butter and sour cream. Some forms are obviously more nutritious than others. And all can have varying effects on blood sugar. Here are some recommendations: Sweet potatoes and yams are good choices on the potato spectrum as they have a lower glycemic index and glycemic load than a regular baked russet potato, therefore affecting blood glucose less. Small red potatoes with the skin can also be a good choice. The skin provides fiber, which slows digestion and absorption. And small, whole potatoes may be easier to portion control. Serve a few on your plate as opposed to a whole baked potato or scoop of mashed potatoes. Try to limit fried potatoes and potato chips, choosing roasted, baked or broiled instead. Be aware of portion size. The plate method is an easy way to manage this: about ¼ of your plate should come from starchy foods and only the depth of a deck of cards. It might not be the potato itself wreaking havoc on blood sugar, but instead the portion of potatoes if it is more than about ¾ to 1 cup. Many, many years ago, nurses, dietitians, and diabetes educators were instructed to teach their patients with diabetes to eat certain foods and not eat others. But in more modern times, the belief and teaching method is based on making healthy food choices, understanding portion sizes, and learning the best times to eat in order to manage diabetes. This method of not having to eliminate foods from the diet is supported by the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Blood glucose control and food choice Continue reading >>
Can I Eat Jackfruit If I Have Diabetes?
Diabetes patients need a balanced diet in which the amount of carbohydrates and proteins should be restricted. They must consume fiber foods as these are really good for their health. As far as Jackfruit is concerned, it contains a high amount of fiber which is good for diabetics. But it also contains carbohydrates that get converted to the blood glucose in slightly slower manner. So, it can be harmful to the diabetes patients. Besides this, jackfruit consists of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, niacin, iron, and other nutrients. According to the physicians, diabetes patients must eat less amount of jackfruit or replace it with a bowl of rice included in your meal. It is necessary to follow a balanced diet and stay fit. In order to control sugar level, diabetics are advised to quit sugar. If they have craving for sweets, they must only consume the sweets prepared with artificial sweeteners. These sweeteners provide the taste as of a sugar and contain a low amount of calories which is perfect for diabetes patients. There are different artificial sweeteners for diabetics available in the market. Continue reading >>
Top 10 Worst Diet Choices If You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes, in many ways your diet is your medicine. As diabetes educators, we help patients understand what food and beverage choices are best to avoid. When foods are high in carbohydrates, fat and sodium, they increase your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight gain, heart disease and uncontrolled sugar. Top 10 offenders Sweetened drinks. These include regular pop/soda, fruit punches and iced teas. These are loaded with sugar and calories, and they usually have little or no nutritional value. Instead, try infusing plain water with different berries and fruits so you can enjoy the natural sweetness. “Designer” or specialty coffee drinks – including frappuccinos or cappuccinos. That “once a day special treat” can add up to lots of extra sugar, calories and saturated fat. Instead, go for straight java, either black, with artificial sweetener or a small splash of skim milk. Whole milk. It has too much fat, which can lead to weight gain. Switch to 2 percent, 1 percent – or even better: skim milk. Keep in mind that one cup of skim milk has 12 grams of carbohydrates. If you don’t like milk or are lactose intolerant, you can drink almond milk, rice milk or soy milk instead—but remember to get the low sugar varieties. Hot dogs. These grilled little favorites are still high in saturated fat and sodium—yes, that even includes turkey dogs! Try to avoid them or eat them only occasionally. Packaged lunch meats. These are also high in saturated fat and sodium. Check your deli for low sodium meats—or better yet use sliced meat that you’ve roasted at home to make your sandwiches. Also remember that sandwich toppings can be very unhealthy too (think high-fat mayonnaise). Instead add flavor to your sandwiches with mustard, veggies and/or Continue reading >>
Potatoes & Diabetes: Dietary Trends & Truths About Taters
Potatoes & Diabetes: Dietary Trends & Truths About Taters Are potatoes dangerous? Do potatoes cause diabetes? You might think so if you followed the headlines, as in 2006, the media was full of reports making these claims, some of which are still being made today. All of this attention was based on the results of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.(1) The study was a prospective study of 84,555 women in the Nurses’ Health Study. At the start, the women, aged 34–59 years, had no history of chronic disease, and completed a validated food frequency questionnaire. These women were then followed for 20 years with repeated assessments of their diet. The studies conclusion, as stated in the abstract was, "Our findings suggest a modest positive association between the consumption of potatoes and the risk of type 2 diabetes in women. This association was more pronounced when potatoes were substituted for whole grains.” So, lets take a closer look at the study and see how accurate these claims are, and where the "truth about taters" really lies. Specifically, we will look at 6 important key points. 1) Are all potatoes equal? Or “when is a potato not a potato?” In the study, participants were asked how often, on average, in the previous year, they had consumed potatoes. The options they were given to choose from were either a) - 1 baked or 1 cup mashed potato b) - 4 oz of French fried potatoes These were the only 2 choices the subjects could pick from. So, while these may represent how potatoes are often consumed here in America, they do not account for any differences in how the potatoes were prepared and served. And, mashed potatoes were counted in with baked potatoes, which are two completely different forms of potatoes. So, lets take a cl Continue reading >>
Potato: A Diabetic’s True Friend
Diabetes is the new age epidemic. An increasing number of people are suffering from this disease and its related complications. Here, it is essential to understand that only medications are not enough to manage this menace. In fact, a modification in lifestyle and diet is a must in the management protocol of diabetes. This fundamental fact opens a door to the term ‘diabetes meal plan.’ Diabetes meal plan ‘Diabetes meal plan’ is a comprehensive guide on what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat for diabetics. It is a plan based on Glycemic Index (GI) of foods, carbohydrate count (carb count) and the plate method. Ideally, this is formatted for a diabetic individual by a trained and a qualified dietician or nutritionist. It is different for different individuals, depending on the blood sugar levels,activity levels and overall diabetes control. Generally, a good thumb rule to follow is not to exceed more than 15 grams of carbohydrates in a snack, lunch and dinner, however, can be 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates for women and 30 to 45 grams of carbohydrates for men. Of note, food items with high GI are to be avoided, as the higher the GI of a food, the more increase in the blood sugar and insulin levels.After this bird's eye view of the diabetic meal plan, let us look into some facts of potatoes. The Potato fact file Potato is a cheap and easily available vegetable and a kind of staple food for many. It is full of starch that breaks down into sugar; may be this is a fact that makes us doubt its place in a diabetic meal plan. We should not forget that potato is also rich in dietary fibre, vitamin C, B6 and potassium. Above all,it is free of fat and cholesterol.One small potato of 150 grams has about 110 calories, which is around 25 grams of carbohydrates. Accordin Continue reading >>
