Sourdough bread has a low glycemic index and can help keep your blood sugar and insulin levels lower, which can prevent insulin resistance and diabetes.
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 Bread
Even though it's made with white flour, sourdough can impact blood sugar less because of the fermentation process. The carb molecules are altered during fermentation, lowering the glycemic index to improve blood sugar and insulin response12.
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.
Sourdough's Effect on Blood Sugar
Despite its significant carbohydrate content, sourdough bread has a glycemic index of 53 -- making it a low-glycemic-index food. As with other low GI food, sourdough bread will likely cause a gradual increase in blood sugar levels rather than a spike.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that sourdough can not only be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, but that it can also help with managing blood sugar levels – crucial when dealing with diabetes – in addition to other health benefits.
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.
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.
"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."
According to Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at Go Wellness, the best bread to eat to lower your blood sugar is 100% whole grain bread.
A standard sourdough loaf is made from two simple ingredients, flour and water – or three, if you add salt. So standard sourdough isn't keto, because standard, all-purpose flour is made from grain (usually wheat), meaning it's high-carb . Therefore, anyone following a strict ketogenic diet should avoid it.
Research does suggest that the fermentation process that helps create sourdough bread, reduces the glycemic response when people with diabetes eat sourdough bread compared to traditional bread. This is also true for pumpernickel bread which uses a sourdough starter.
Sourdough bread contains less calories and carbohydrates than other breads like for like, because some of the starches and sugars are consumed during the fermentation period.
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.
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.
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.
Potatoes are a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be enjoyed by everyone, including people with diabetes. However, because of their high carb content, you should limit portion sizes, always eat the skin, and choose low GI varieties, such as Carisma and Nicola.
When eaten in moderation, all kinds of sweet potatoes are healthy. They're very high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and can safely be included in a diabetes-friendly 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.