There are diseases in which people must constantly monitor their diets, since their well-being directly depends not only on medications, but also on proper nutrition and lifestyle. These are people suffering from diabetes.
Since the quality of life of diabetics depends on nutrition, it is important to know whether the level of sugar in the blood increases consumed foods. In our article, we will look at why diabetics can and are even recommended to eat everyone’s favorite beets, and in which dishes you can add them.
How does the blood sugar level: increases or not?
One of the controversial foods in the diabetic diet is beets.. The root has both positive and negative qualities. Despite the presence in the vegetable of a large number of valuable substances, it has a rather high glycemic index and a high concentration of carbohydrates. This can lead to increased blood sugar levels and active insulin production. People with diabetes do not rush to include beets in their daily menu.
Glycemic index of raw and boiled vegetables
In order to understand what it is - the glycemic index and whether it is possible to eat beets with a high content of sugar in the blood of the patient, it is necessary to compare 100 g of the vegetable in its raw form and 100 g in the cooked one. As it turned out, raw and boiled products have a different indicator of the effect of carbohydrates on changes in blood glucose levels, and also have a different glycemic load (about how beet consumption affects human blood, read here).
Glycemic index:
- raw beets - 30;
- boiled beets - 65.
Glycemic load:
- raw beets - 2.7;
- boiled - 5,9.
From this analysis it is clear that the amount of sugar in it depends on the form of consumption of the root. In raw vegetables, it is two times lower than in boiled vegetables.
Important! Despite the fact that the beet has a high glycemic index, it has a rather low glycemic load.
Is it possible to eat diabetics?
Due to the low glycemic load index, beets can be included in the diet of diabeticsespecially those with digestive problems. The chemical composition of the root contains betaine substances that contribute to better protein digestion, lower blood pressure, regulate fat metabolism, prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (the use of beets increases or decreases the pressure, we told here).
Diabetics also use beetroot because it has a positive effect on blood vessels and the heart, on immunity, regulates the level of hemoglobin, and due to its high content of fiber, relieves constipation.
- Type 1. People who suffer from diabetes mellitus of the first type (insulin-dependent), beets can be consumed, the main thing is not to exceed the permissible norms.
- Type 2. The glycemic index of the red root is at a rather low level. That is why beets are not dangerous for the patient's health and, accordingly, the question of whether it can be eaten or not with the 2nd type of disease is decided positively - by including vegetables in the daily menu. When eating beets, the process of assimilation of carbohydrates slows down, so that a sharp jump in the level of glucose in the blood does not occur.
How to cook?
Given that beetroot is not contraindicated in diabetes mellitus, it is possible to use it, making some changes to the classic, well-known recipes to reduce the risk of side effects. Consider how you can apply beets in different dishes:
- cook a salad, eliminating from it boiled potatoes, which has the lowest nutritional value;
- cook broth for borscht on lean meat, also removing potatoes from the dish;
- add low-fat cottage cheese to beet salad;
- beet juice is useful, but not more than 200 g per day, which should be drunk in several doses;
- eat grated vegetable, dressed with olive oil or sour cream.
Such use of beets will help diabetic to lose weight, and also will not allow the level of glucose to rise sharply. To obtain positive results in the treatment of the disease, diabetics need to strictly monitor that their diet is balanced.
Is a red root useful or harmful?
For people with diabetes, moderate consumption of beets has several positive points.. Red root juice and the vegetable itself have a positive effect:
- on vessels and heart;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- improves bowel function;
- slows the absorption of carbohydrates.
However, despite the benefits that the root crop has on the diabetic's organism, it is necessary to include beets in the menu with caution due to the presence of large amounts of sucrose. After all, the main cause of the disease of insulin-dependent people is a high percentage of sugar in the blood. In order to avoid the negative effects of beets on the body, the vegetable must be properly prepared and consumed in strictly limited quantities.
Learn about the chemical composition of beets, as well as its benefits and harms to human health, here.
Can I eat a vegetable without restriction?
Nutritionists and endocrinologists recommend diabetics when using beets to comply with the measure. In order not to be a reason for anxiety, it is allowed to eat a vegetable, adhering to the recommended norms, not forgetting that the glycemic index of the boiled root crop is much higher than the raw one. In detail about whether it is possible to eat a vegetable every day, what is the rate of consumption and what threatens to exceed it, we told in a separate article.
On the day of diabetes is allowed to eat:
no more than 100 g of boiled beets in combination with other vegetables;- up to 150 grams of raw vegetables;
- drink no more than 200 g of fresh beet juice.
no more than 100 g of boiled beets in combination with other vegetables;Beet juice, squeezed from a fresh vegetable, has an aggressive effect on the stomach walltherefore, the daily rate should be divided into four parts, which should be drunk during the day. Beet juice becomes less aggressive two hours after it is pressed, if you let it settle for a while, without covering it with a lid.
The most beneficial to the health of a diabetic will be the consumption of beets and dishes from it in the morning.
Contraindications for use
With diabetes mellitus, all organs, including the kidneys, are affected, therefore with kidney disease beet is contraindicated. Root vegetables are forbidden to include in their diets diabetics who have such comorbidities:
- urolithiasis (even if small stones or sand are present);
- bladder diseases;
- stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
- gastritis, colitis, duodenitis;
- digestive disorders (diarrhea);
- metabolic disease;
- allergic to ingredients.
Conclusion
Everyone decides whether to consume beets and dishes prepared from it, taking into account the severity of the disease and the individual characteristics of their body. Patients suffering from diabetes, before starting to include in their menu of beet dishes should always consult with your doctor in order not to harm your body and be able to control the course of the disease.
