Whole-grain breads with high-fiber ingredients, such as oats and bran, are usually the best option for people with diabetes. Making bread at home with specific, diabetes-friendly ingredients may also help reduce the impact that bread can have on blood sugar levels.
Healthy, low GI food choices
Milk and dairy foods – reduced or low-fat varieties of milk and dairy foods are the best choices for people with diabetes. Bread – wholegrain, fruit loaf and sourdough.
It is preferable not to eat white flour bread, but if you must, limit yourself to two medium slices. A slice of bread has about 32 calories in it. The total calories consumed from bread should not be more than 90 for a diabetic patient. Furthermore, diabetics should avoid eating white bread every day.
Fortunately, sourdough bread can be good for people who have or are predisposed to diabetes. Research suggests not only is sourdough an ideal part of a balanced diet, but it can also help to manage blood sugar levels and provide other benefits, which is important when dealing with diabetes.
Sourdough contains less sugar, even when made with white flour. Both light and dark rye bread have a relatively low GI. Try to buy fresh from the bakery instead of the store, and go organic when possible. Even “healthy” multigrain bread can contain nasty sugar levels.
Spread no-sugar-added peanut, almond, or other nut butter on whole-grain toast. Look for bread with at least 3 grams of fiber per slice. Top with fresh fruit, such as slices of strawberries or raspberries.
Toasted bread is pretty different from untoasted bread. It is lower in GI, fat, and cholesterol and contains complex carbs and fiber, making it suitable for diabetics. The American Diabetes Association recommends whole grain or 100% whole-wheat bread over white bread.
If you have type 2 diabetes breakfast cereals made with wholegrains can help to manage blood glucose levels, they release glucose more slowly as they are low GI. Weetabix, Oatibix and Shredded Wheat can make for good choices.
Multigrain bread has low carbs. It has a low glycemic index and is ideal for diabetic and heart patients. It also helps keep a check on your body weight.
Sugarfree biscuits are made without including any sugar. This prevents a spike in blood sugar levels. It is ok to consume sugar free biscuits if a person is diabetic.
They're very low GI and it's good for a diabetic to have crumpets. They can give you lots of energy, also sustained energy. Crumpets are a very good thing to have in the morning for breakfast. Probably not as Small Talk likes them though, smothered in two inches of butter and marmite.
The American Diabetes Association considers eggs an excellent choice for people with diabetes. That's because one large egg contains only about a half a gram of carbohydrate and 7 grams of high quality protein as well as other important nutrients.
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.
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. Also, check that it's 100 percent whole grain with roughly 30 g of carbs per serving, says Swift.
“A diabetes-friendly breakfast is one that includes a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats in the right proportions, which helps balance blood sugar,” says Al Bochi. A simple diabetes-friendly breakfast she recommends is a plate of eggs and avocado on whole-grain toast.
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."
Ezekiel bread is made from sprouted grains and doesn't contain added sugars.
Wholegrains are a smart choice, not just for people with diabetes, but for the whole family. If you do have diabetes, wholegrain foods are usually better for managing blood glucose levels because they tend to have a lower glycaemic index (GI).
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.