Are you aware that more than 37 million people have diabetes in America?
When you factor in the number of people who are pre-diabetic, this figure soars even higher. With so many people struggling with diabetes, it’s important for all of us to learn more about what steps we can take to keep our pancreas healthy for total-body wellness.
If you’ve been trying to improve your diabetes, then you may have heard of the low-glycemic index diet. Would you like to learn more about what it is and how it can help? Keep reading for our guide on the low-glycemic diet.
What Is a Low-Glycemic Diet?
A low-glycemic diet involves eating a bunch of foods that don’t cause drastic spikes in your blood sugar. Certain foods like a candy bar will trigger a big elevation in blood sugar due to the high amount of refined sugars and simple carbohydrates. When you follow the low-glycemic diet, the goal is to keep your blood sugar levels low and steady the entire day, so you’re not riding a rollercoaster.
It’s important to know that all foods are rated on a scale rather than splitting them into can-eat or can’t-eat categories. This means that you can still enjoy everything you love in moderation as long as you plan ahead properly. Foods that are low on the scale are safe to eat in large quantities, while foods that are higher on the scale need to come in mindful portions.
How Does This Diet Help With Diabetes Management?
Maintaining an even blood sugar level throughout the day can reduce your dependence on insulin. There are plenty of other benefits as well, such as avoiding sugar highs and crashes that have a negative impact on your energy and mood.
If calculating your foods based on the low-glycemic diet sounds hard, the good news is that you can rely on technology to do the heavy lifting for you. It’s never been easier for diabetics to take control of their blood sugar levels thanks to apps that can help you log your food.
What Can You Eat on a Low-Glycemic Diet Plan?
You’ll be delighted to know that there are all kinds of things on the low glycemic foods list that you can enjoy. The goal is to make healthier swaps for foods you already enjoy so you can stabilize your blood sugar. For example, you could eat whole-grain pasta and bread rather than the white counterparts.
If you’re looking for good cheese for diabetics, then you can eat varieties like goat cheese, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and more. Foods high in fat or protein don’t need to be counted since carbohydrates are the foods that have the biggest influence on blood sugar.
Following a Low-Glycemic Diet Could Transform Your Health
It’s clear that a low-glycemic diet offers tremendous benefits to people with diabetes. Using this guide can help you take control of your health.
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