Living with diabetes can be challenging at times. Especially when insulin becomes a part of your life, the question often arises, what should I eat or which foods are safe for me. The good news is that Indian food, with its diversity and richness in nutrition, can be easily eaten even with insulin therapy.
Indian food includes grains, pulses, vegetables and spices, which not only taste good but also provide essential nutrition to the body. This does not mean that after taking insulin you have to stay away from your favorite foods. It is just necessary to take care of some wisdom, balance and right quantity. Eating roti, pulses and vegetables in the right quantity at the right time keeps your blood sugar stable and your body is able to use insulin properly.
Indian Diet Guide for Insulin Therapy
Some foods can affect the ability of insulin or make it difficult to control blood sugar. Research has shown that refined grains (like white rice and flour), food or drinks high in sugar, fried foods and snacks with unhealthy fats. Consuming them frequently or in large quantities can reduce insulin sensitivity and rapidly increase or decrease blood sugar.
Which things should not be included in the diet?
1. Refined grains – White rice and flour rotis are digested quickly, which can cause a sudden increase in blood sugar. Instead, eating rotis of millet, jowar, ragi and whole wheat provides energy for a long time and keeps the glucose level stable.
2. Food high in sugar – Sweets, juice, soda and fizzy drinks can increase blood sugar quickly. Take them only occasionally and if you do, take food with protein or fiber along with it.
3. Fried food with unhealthy fat – Fried snacks, foods with thick gravy and high-fat processed foods can reduce insulin sensitivity. Instead, steamed, grilled or lightly roasted dishes are better options.
4. Snacks – Blood sugar control can be difficult due to the sugar, salt and refined carbohydrates hidden in chips, biscuits and ready-to-eat snacks. Instead, it is better to eat roasted gram, sprouted pulses or dry fruits at home.
Indian foods that are good with insulin
1. Whole grains – Wheat, jowar, bajra, ragi, rich in fiber, slow down the absorption of glucose.
2. Pulses – Moong, pigeon pea, lentils help in controlling blood sugar. Eating them with whole grains gives better results.
3. Milk and Dairy – Low fat cheese, curd, buttermilk increase protein and help in digestion.
4. Vegetables – Okra, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, beans, slow down glucose absorption and support insulin function. Spinach, fenugreek, amaranth, leafy vegetables provide nutrition and help in glucose.
5. Breakfast options – Roasted gram, sprouted gram, dry fruits are rich in fiber and protein.
6. Fruits – Guava, apple, orange, papaya, fruits with low glycemic index prevent sudden increase in blood sugar.
Why is a blood sugar test important for those taking insulin?
Regular blood sugar test is very important for people taking insulin. This shows how which food affects your glucose level. On the basis of test, you can make a balanced diet plan, decide the right time of insulin, avoid sudden high or low sugar. Tracking blood sugar in this way helps you understand which food is right for your body and makes it easier to make changes as per the doctor’s advice.
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