Is carbohydrate bad for diabetes?
Is carbohydrate bad for diabetes? Have you ever google something similar before? If you did, you must be confused about whether or not you should give up your favorite bread or pasta dishes, just for the sake of managing diabetes. Here’s great news for you. You don’t necessarily have to give up your favorite food and manage your diabetes better.
What is diabetes?
There are 3 types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes (Autoimmune condition; not linked to lifestyle choices)
- Type 2 diabetes (Progressive condition; associated with lifestyle risk factors)
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes that occurs during pregnancy)
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your body becomes resistant to the normal effect of insulin or losing the capacity to produce enough insulin. Usually, when we eat carbohydrate-containing food like cereal/grain, milk, starchy vegetables and fruits, they are broken down into simple sugar called glucose. It is then used as energy in our body with the help of insulin. Because of diabetes, our body cannot control the amount of glucose in the blood properly.
Why is carbohydrate important?
- An essential part of a healthy diet
Carbohydrate-containing foods are the primary energy source for our body, and especially our brain relies on glucose as fuel. More importantly, most carbohydrate-containing foods are good sources of fibre, vitamins and minerals to keep us healthy. (Excluding the foods with few nutrients, but high energy, sugar content)
- Why should you give up your favourite/stable food?
No matter where you come from, bread, pasta, or rice must be one of your stable food. Although they are the source of carbohydrates that affect our blood sugar level, we don’t necessarily avoid them. We can still enjoy them in moderation.
Australian Dietary Guidelines can be used as a general guide for you. If you need individual dietary needs, don’t hesitate and ask our dietitian today.