“My favorite breakfast cereal recommendation for people with diabetes is a high-fiber, low-sugar option such as bran flakes,” says Palinski-Wade. With 5 grams of fiber per serving, this type of cereal contains 19 grams of net carbs per ¾ cup serving, making it lower in carbohydrates than many breakfast cereals.
Oat foods — such as oatmeal and muesli made from steel-cut or rolled oats — are low-GI foods, with a score of under 55. In comparison, other breakfast cereals, such as puffed rice or corn flakes, have a GI score of above 70.
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.
Unfortunately, the glycemic index of corn flakes is very high i.e. 82. High glycemic index form of carbohydrate present in corn flakes produces high concentrations of blood glucose levels. This contributes to the high risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it won't be wrong to say that corn flakes are not healthy.
People with diabetes may need to limit the amount of flavored sweetened milk they drink. People with diabetes may choose to use milk products that are full fat or whole, reduced fat or fat free depending on their preference or their calorie and nutrition goals.
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.
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.
Low-fat types like cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, or mozzarella are high-protein choices that help keep your blood sugar in check. Enjoy a quarter-cup of cottage cheese with a half-cup of fruit, a piece of low-fat string cheese, or ricotta spread on whole-grain crackers.
Stay away from cereals high on the glycemic index, such as corn flakes, puffed rice, bran flakes, and instant oatmeal. Don't choose cereals that list refined grains and sugars as top ingredients.
A recent study published in the Journal of Dairy Science encourages people with type 2 diabetes to add cow's milk to their cereal for better blood sugar control.
The American Diabetes Association recommends choosing whole grain bread or 100 percent whole wheat bread instead of white bread. White bread is made from highly processed white flour and added sugar. Here are some delicious and healthy breads to try: Joseph's Flax, Oat Bran and Wheat Pita Bread.
There's a myth about chocolate and diabetes. But you can eat chocolate, just in moderation and not too often. Try not to eat a lot in one go as it affects your blood sugar levels. If you snack on chocolate regularly it may start to increase your cholesterol levels and make it more difficult to manage your weight.
Consume in Moderation
Hence it is essential to keep in mind the amount of milk. Research shows that a person with diabetes can have three servings of low-fat dairy daily to acquire the daily requirement of proteins and calcium.
Some studies suggest that drinking coffee — whether caffeinated and decaffeinated — may actually reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, however, the impact of caffeine on insulin action may be associated with higher or lower blood sugar levels.
Start with 1 or 2 servings at a meal, or 15 to 30 g of carbohydrates. Many factors can change the recommended amount of milk, however. One cup of cow milk provides 12 grams of carbohydrates, which is equivalent to one serving.
Weetabix and Oatibix are low in sugar and salt. Each Weetabix biscuit has less than 1g of sugar and only contains 0.05g of salt (1 Weetabix = approx. 19g).