Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Safe beverages for diabetic patients
If you have diabetes then you know how crucial it is to be aware of everything you eat or drink. People with diabetes need to follow a healthy diet which includes not only food but drinks as well. This is because drinks can affect your blood sugar levels, more so than you can imagine. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose is high. Glucose is an energy source for your body that you gain from foods rich in carbohydrates. When your body is unable to use insulin well, the glucose stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells. This results in health issues. Although diabetes has no cure, one needs to take steps to control your blood sugar. As blood sugar levels are greatly impacted by what you eat and drink. It often happens that people with diabetes don’t know what to drink
Water
Plain water hydrates your body and helps in detoxifying your body by removing excess glucose through urine. Hence, water is the best option for people with diabetes. Water will not increase your blood sugar levels and high blood sugar level can cause dehydration. You can make plain water interesting by adding slices of lemon or orange, adding sprigs of flavouring herbs such as mint, basil, etc.
Tea is a favourite choice of beverage for Indians and is known to have a positive effect on your overall health. Tea can also help to reduce your blood pressure and lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels. While choosing your tea, you should avoid milk tea and sweeteners; choose from black, green or herbal tea.
Coffee
According to researchers, drinking coffee can help lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Choose from a range of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees and similar to tea, avoid adding sweeteners. Adding milk, cream, or sugars to your drink increases the overall calorie count and may affect your blood sugar.
Vegetable juice
Fruit juices are usually considered a healthy option but it is important to know that juices can have a carbohydrate content which can spike your blood glucose. In this case, you can opt for a vegetable juice alternative such as tomato juice. You can also prepare a delicious blend of green leafy vegetables, celery, or cucumbers with a handful of berries to add flavour to your drink with other essential vitamins and minerals.
Low-fat milk
As a diabetic, dairy products should be included in your diet every day. They contain essential minerals but remember that they also add carbohydrates to your diet. It is important to keep in mind that when it comes to dairy products, you must choose unsweetened, low-fat, or skim versions of your preferred milk. You can also opt for coconut milk which is a dairy-free, low-sugar option.
Drinks you should avoid
While there are a few drinks that you can have if you are diabetic, there are certain drinks you should remember to avoid. Drinks that have a high content of carbohydrates and calories can affect both your weight and your blood sugar. Here is a list of a few drinks you should never have if you are diabetic:
1. Regular soda
2. Energy drinks
3. Diet soda
4. Sweetened fruit juices
5. Alcohol