Carrots taste sweet, hence diabetic patients remain quite confused about its consumption. Now the question is, can diabetic patients consume carrots? Or not?
Carrots are a very special winter superfood. It is known for its many important nutrients. Many different dishes are made from carrots in cold weather. However, the taste of carrot is sweet, hence diabetic patients remain quite confused about its consumption (carrot benefits in diabetes). Now the question is, can diabetic patients consume carrots? Or not?
Health Shots spoke to Dr. Aditi Sharma, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad, about the consumption of carrots in diabetes. So let us know what experts say about eating carrots in diabetes (carrot benefits in diabetes).
Is it safe to eat carrots in diabetes?
We all are being advised to consume colorful fruits and vegetables since childhood. This is not just an afterthought, in fact colorful superfoods can be beneficial for health in many ways. Colorful fruits and vegetables are included in a balanced diet because they contain many important nutrients.
Carrots are also available in other colors like orange, white, red, purple etc., all of them contain high quality beta-carotene, which is the precursor of Vitamin A. It is an excellent source of antioxidants, fiber and many other nutrients.
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A medium-sized carrot contains only 4 grams of carbs and also has an extremely low glycemic index. Foods low in carbs and low glycemic index do not have much effect on blood sugar and do not cause spikes.
According to a research published by the National Library of Medicine, the nutrients present in carrots can prove beneficial for people suffering from diabetes.
Know what is the GI (Glycemic Index) score of carrots?
The GI is a tool that measures how the carbohydrates in specific foods affect a person’s blood sugar levels. Food with a higher GI score may increase blood sugar levels more than food with a lower GI score. Foods with an ADA score of 55 or less are listed as foods with a low GI score (carrot glycemic index). Boiled carrots have a GI score of 33, and raw carrots have an even lower score (carrot benefits in diabetes).
Benefits of eating carrots for diabetic patients (carrot benefits in diabetes)
1. Fiber quality
Adequate amount of fiber is found in carrots, by consuming fiber rich foods it becomes easier to keep the blood sugar level balanced. At the same time, it promotes insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity, which helps in managing diabetes.
2. Carotenoids
Carrots are a good source of carotenoids. In the diet, these compounds are found primarily in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. The pigments in a person’s eyes also contain carotenoids, and their antioxidant activity helps protect the retina from damage. Some research suggests that carotenoids may be protective against diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that can cause vision loss. Irregular blood sugar levels are a primary cause of this disease. According to a 2015 study published by PubMed, diets containing high levels of alpha and beta carotene may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
3. Healthy carbohydrates
Controlling blood sugar levels is a primary goal of treatment in diabetes. It depends on the total amount of carbohydrates consumed by the person through foods. One medium sized raw carrot contains 5.84 grams of carbohydrates. Although carrots are not low in carbohydrates, they are a healthy source of carbs.
How many carrots are safe to eat in a day?
diabetic patients in one day Can eat 2 small carrots. But it is very important to pay attention to the way of eating. However, be careful not to eat too many carrots at one go, and also avoid sweet items like carrot halwa, barfi etc.
Right way to eat carrots for diabetic patients
Diabetic patients can eat raw carrots. Along with this, you can include boiled carrots in your diet. Drink carrot juice, you can include it in breakfast. Avoid adding extra sugar to carrots and including sweet dishes like carrot halwa or barfi in your diet. These can cause your blood sugar to spike.
Also read: Celery is the cure for these 6 problems of cold weather, know its benefits and method of use.
