Early trials suggest that cucumber is one of the most effective plants for not only reducing blood sugar levels but also lowering the risk of hypoglycemia during a blood sugar drop. For people with diabetes, cucumber may be a helpful addition to their diet to moderate blood sugar levels more effectively.
The nutritious vegetable could help diabetics as it contains high fibre content; fibre is key to lowering blood sugar levels. It also helps slow down digestion of carbohydrates and sugar, which can further lower sugar levels.
If the cucumber has a milky, white sheen on the outside, it's a no-go. You should also inspect them for mold. Even if it looks like the mold is isolated to one spot, it is better to play it safe and just toss it in the trash. Dark spots can also be an indicator that your cucumber is no longer a viable snack option.
Drinking lemon and cucumber water can be helpful for diabetes if it replaces sugar-sweetened beverages like sweet tea, soda, or sports drinks. It contains virtually no calories or sugar and may provide your body with small amounts of nutrients from the slices of cucumber and lemon.
That's not the only surprising thing about cucumbers: they also contain only 1.7g of sugar per 100g. That's about the weight of an individual cucumber.
Cucumbers are not known to spike blood sugar levels due to the minimal amounts of sugar and low-calorie count. In addition, they are not energy dense and have a low glycemic index and a high percentage of water. These properties make cucumber a good option for minimising their sugar intake.
Key Takeaways. Eating cucumbers may cause bloating in people with sensitive digestive systems. People who are allergic to sunflower seeds, milk, and bananas should avoid cucumbers. The toxins in cucumbers may increase cancer risk, acne, aging, and other health problems.
“Eating just one cucumber a day can be great! It mostly contains water. So, even if you were to eat more than one, it won't cause any harm. In fact, it will keep you full and help you avoid reaching out for any junk food,” said nutritionist Manisha Chopra.
Having lots of it is sure to make you feel "full" and bloated and as a result, interrupt your sleep. Plus, there is another reason why you should only eat cucumber in a limited quantity. This is because you are taking in more water and are bound to fill up the bladder and urinate more during your sleep.
People living with diabetes should look to avoid vegetables with a high GI rating, as the body absorbs blood sugar from those foods much quicker compared with low-GI foods. This includes artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, celery, cauliflower, eggplant/aubergine, green beans, lettuce, peppers, snow peas and spinach.”
Carrots can be a safe choice if you have diabetes and are watching your blood sugar levels. They're also non-starchy vegetables. So you can even enjoy small amounts of carrots if you're following the ketogenic, or keto, diet.
Tomatoes are not high in sugar, and neither are carrots. Tomatoes, similar to carrots, are considered a non-starchy vegetable in meal planning for diabetes. This means that the amount of naturally occurring sugar is minimal in a serving.
In general, foods that cause blood sugar level to rise the most are those that are high in carbohydrates, which are quickly converted into energy, such as rice, bread, fruits and sugar. Next are foods high in protein, such as meats, fish eggs, milk and dairy products, and oily foods.
Protein-rich foods like eggs can play an important role in regulating blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Plus, eggs contain many essential vitamins and minerals, and have just 80 calories each.
Apples can be a good snack for people with diabetes. Their fiber may help prevent spikes in blood sugar, and insulin levels, and fructose may be more beneficial for insulin levels than glucose. Apples also contain many nutrients.
Enriched with amino acids, green vegetables like cucumber when eaten on an empty stomach can cause flatulence, abdominal pain and heartburn.
Having lots of it is sure to make you feel "full" and bloated and as a result, interrupt your sleep. Plus, there is another reason why you should only eat cucumber in a limited quantity. This is because you are taking in more water and are bound to fill up the bladder and urinate more during your sleep.
Cucumber is also rich in antioxidants like beta-carotene which help the cells of the kidneys by protecting them from cellular damage. Including cucumbers in the diet can also benefit people suffering from kidney stones. Staying hydrated is an absolute must in preventing kidney stones.
Excessive intake of cucumbers may trigger Hyperkalemia, which is a rare medical condition caused due to the presence of high potassium content in the body. Excessive intake of potassium rich cucumber may lead to flatulence, abdominal cramps and in some cases it can affect the renal system and kidneys.
It is usually not necessary to peel a cucumber or remove the seeds if you plan to eat it raw. If the cucumber skin has been waxed (to make it look shiny) or if you plan to cook the cucumber, remove the skin with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Some large cucumbers have hard seeds.
Apart from the fruits that are good for diabetic people, there are some fruits that a diabetic should avoid as they can raise blood sugar levels. These fruits are cherries, ripped bananas, mangoes, figs, lychees, pineapple, grapes, tangerines, raisins, sweetened cranberries, etc.
With so few carbohydrates, a high fiber content, and healthful fat, people with diabetes can enjoy an avocado in moderation without the stress of raising their blood sugar levels. Pairing an avocado with other foods may help reduce blood sugar spikes too.