Introduction
If you have diabetes, you know that it can be difficult to find the right foods to eat. But did you know that there is one cereal that is especially beneficial for people with diabetes? According to a dietitian, the #1 best cereal to eat if you have diabetes is Eat This Not That. This cereal is packed with fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients that can help you manage your diabetes and keep your blood sugar levels in check. In this article, we’ll discuss why Eat This Not That is the best cereal for people with diabetes and how it can help you stay healthy.
The #1 Best Cereal to Eat if You Have Diabetes, Dietitian Says — Eat This Not That
If you have diabetes, it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right foods to keep your blood sugar levels in check. And when it comes to breakfast, cereal is a great option. But which cereal should you choose? According to a dietitian, the #1 best cereal to eat if you have diabetes is oatmeal.
Oatmeal is a great choice for people with diabetes because it is high in fiber and low in sugar. The fiber helps to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, which helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. Plus, oatmeal is a whole grain, which means it contains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than refined grains.
In addition to oatmeal, other whole grain cereals are also good choices for people with diabetes. These include whole wheat, barley, and quinoa. These cereals are also high in fiber and low in sugar, which helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. Plus, they are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
When choosing a cereal, it’s important to read the nutrition label. Look for cereals that are low in sugar and high in fiber. Also, check the ingredients list to make sure the cereal doesn’t contain any added sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Eating a healthy breakfast is an important part of managing diabetes. And oatmeal is a great choice for people with diabetes. It’s high in fiber and low in sugar, which helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. Plus, it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. So if you have diabetes, make sure to include oatmeal in your breakfast routine.
There’s no doubt that cereal can be a tasty and convenient breakfast option—or snack at any time of the day depending on your preference—however, it’s also something that often contains a fair share of both sugar and carbs which can raise a person’s blood glucose level. This can be an issue for people with diabetes who need to be careful when it comes to blood glucose or sugar levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.
At the same time, that doesn’t mean that cereal is completely off the menu for those with diabetes—you just need to know which cereal is the best option for people with diabetes, which in this case is “unsweetened cereals that are made with whole grains,” according to Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, a senior dietitian at UCLA medical center, assistant professor at UCLA Fielding school of public health, and author with Cambridge University Press, of the new book, Recipe for Survival.
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The #1 best cereal for diabetes is unsweetened cereal.
“Unsweetened cereals are best [for diabetes] because you can have a larger portion size, they have more whole grains, are more filling, and are better for blood-sugar control,” Hunnes tells Eat This, Not That!
“The best choices are things like shredded wheat/bran, bran cereals, oat cereals, unsweetened old-fashioned style oats, etc.”
Use blood sugar-stabilizing cereal toppings to your advantage.
Beyond that, Hunnes notes that “you can also add peanuts or other nuts to the cereal to get protein, healthy fats, and help it last you longer” while being more filling and satiating.
If you still want a little something sweet or aren’t fully satisfied with your breakfast cereal, Hunnes points out that “you can always add your own, controlled portion, of a sweetener, or better yet, fruit— such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or banana to make it more filling and add more volume.”
The liquid you use in your cereal also matters.
Hunnes also “recommends using unsweetened, plant-based milk with cereal because cow’s milk naturally contains 12 grams of carbohydrate per cup (from lactose). So, if you use an unsweetened cereal plus unsweetened plant-based milk that contains protein (soy milk, pea-protein milk, flax milk) you get more bang for your carbohydrate buck.”
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How much cereal should you eat if you have diabetes?
As for how much cereal to eat, Hunnes explains, “This depends on age, size, activity level, gender, etc; and also the type of cereal. An unsweetened, whole-grain cereal will allow for a larger portion than one that is sugary because the sugar takes up a large chunk of ‘carbohydrate’ allowance for that meal.”
To find out more about other delicious and healthy options for the first meal of the day, be sure to read The Best Breakfast Foods to Eat If You Have Diabetes, Says Dietitian. Then, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more of the latest health and food news!
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