Is steak OK for diabetics? If you're choosing cuts of meat with less marbling, steak can certainly fit into a diabetes-friendly diet in moderation.
Lean Meat Choices (3g fat/ounce and 55 calories)
Beef: USDA Select or Choice grades trimmed of fat such as round, sirloin, flank steak, tenderloin, roast (rib, chuck, rump); steak (T-bone, porterhouse, cubed); ground round.
Eating even small amounts of red meat, such as beef, pork, or lamb, may increase the risk of diabetes. A 2020 study showed that eating just 50 g red meat or fish each day can raise diabetes risk by 11%. Also, people with diabetes should consider avoiding or limiting the intake of: breaded, fried, and high-sodium meats.
“You want to eat no more than 18 ounces of cooked red meat a week,” advises registered dietitian Meredith Nguyen, RD, of the Methodist Charlton Medical Center Diabetes Self-Management Program in Dallas.
Certain Cuts of Red Meat Are Good Sources of Protein for Diabetes. Let's get one thing clear: “There's nothing wrong with red meat in small amounts, since it's rich in high-quality protein and many nutrients,” says Baker.
Can people with diabetes eat potatoes? According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), starchy vegetables such as potatoes can be included in the diet of a person with diabetes. The total amount of carbohydrate consumed at any given meal or snack is what is most important.
People with type 2 diabetes should limit or avoid high-fat cuts of meat, such as regular ground beef, bologna, hot dogs, sausage, bacon, and ribs, because like full-fat dairy, they're high in saturated fats, explains Kimberlain.
Lean Meat and Cheese Sandwich on Whole-Grain Bread
Sandwiches can be a quick, diabetes-friendly lunch option as long as you're smart about your choice of bread. Choose a bread that's flat. “Bagels and rolls have too many calories and carbs,” Arévalo explains.
Based on these and similar studies, dietitians at Diabetic Living recommend avoiding the typical eggs, pancakes, bacon, and hash browns combination breakfast. Instead, choose the omelet with veggies with lean bacon and a side of fresh fruit for a better balance of protein and sugar.
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.
French fries, potato chips, and doughnuts are particularly bad choices for diabetics because they're made with carb-heavy, starchy ingredients, which can cause blood glucose levels to shoot up.
1. Sugar. People with diabetes should avoid sugary foods such as pastries, sweets, cakes, cookies, candy, and chocolate. According to Lakshmi, excessive use of sugar-sweetened foods and beverages can lead to obesity, which raises the risk of high blood sugar.
People with diabetes can safely eat cheese as part of a balanced, healthful diet. As with other foods, moderation is key, and so a diet that includes too much cheese would be harmful to people with or without diabetes.
How Much Bread Can You Eat with Diabetes? "People with diabetes can eat bread as long as it fits either their meal plan or within their carbohydrate counting allowance," says Kitty Broihier, M.S., RD, LD. "In general, that means choosing a slice that has 15 grams of carbohydrates for sandwiches."
High in fiber and protein, beans are digested slowly in your body, making them great for managing blood glucose levels in a type 2 diabetes diet. Just ¼ cup of any type of beans will provide as much protein as 1 ounce (oz) of a meat protein equivalent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Unless you overturn the original Fish and Chips recipe, you can't reduce its fat and carbohydrate content. For this reason, Fish and Chips are not a dish typically suitable for those who have diabetes.
For diabetics, the sandwich could cause a dangerous surge in blood sugar, Chokshi said. Gastrointestinal discomfort can run the gamut, from garden-variety heartburn to possibly even aggravation of preexisting gallbladder disease. Also, when you eat the cheesesteak matters.