Diabetes occurs when the pancreas reduces or stops secreting the hormone insulin. Insulin absorbs sugar in the blood and converts it into energy, but a lack of insulin causes blood sugar to rise. When blood sugar levels rise, doctors recommend avoiding certain foods, one of which is potatoes.
Potatoes contain many nutrients such as carbohydrates, starch, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. But consuming potatoes rich in nutrients is considered harmful for diabetics. We spoke to an expert on whether diabetics should eat potatoes or not. Know what Dr. Mickey Mehta said about whether potato consumption is harmful for diabetic patients or not. Dr. Mickey Mehta is a global holistic health guru.
Are Potatoes bad for diabetics?
According to experts, the glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food can raise blood sugar. Potatoes have a high glycemic index, which can range between 70 and 110. This means that potatoes can raise blood sugar quickly, which can be harmful for diabetics.
Potatoes are a huge source of carbohydrates. A medium-sized potato contains about 30 grams of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are difficult for diabetics to manage because they tend to spike blood sugar levels. Eating high-carbohydrate foods can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Despite being high in GI and carbohydrates, potatoes have many benefits. Potatoes also contain fiber which helps control blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity. Potatoes are also high in antioxidants, which protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.
How should diabetic patients consume potatoes?
According to experts, there is no need to completely eliminate potatoes from the diet if you are a diabetic patient. Instead, you need to pay attention to the way you consume it, which can help control your blood sugar levels.
It is advisable to consume boiled and roasted potatoes instead of fried and mashed potatoes.
It is advisable to eat potatoes mixed with other vegetables because it balances the GI present in potatoes.
Potatoes should be eaten with fiber-rich vegetables. Such as cabbage, salad, arugula and sprouts. It is advisable to consume potatoes in the afternoon rather than in the evening, so that digestion can happen properly. There are many benefits of eating potatoes.
How much potatoes should diabetic patients eat?
Excess of anything can harm health. According to experts, potatoes should be consumed only 1 to 2 times a week. After consuming potatoes, you should monitor your blood sugar level. This will help you see what effect eating potatoes has on blood sugar levels.