Many of us upon diagnosis may have been advised by a health care professional to avoid refined sugar in our daily diets and of course this is good advice and quite obvious to many, however, many including myself, were advised that Low GI cereals were a healthy choice for breakfast and Weetabix, Bran flakes and Shredded Wheat were suggested as a suitable choice.
Now consider that 2 Weetabix with 100mls of skimmed milk contains 30.5 grams of carbohydrate, Bran flakes contain 26 grams for a 30 gram bowl plus 125 mls of milk and Shredded Wheat contains 37 grams of carbohydrate for a portion size of 2 biscuits with 250 mls of milk so an average figure for all three brands equates to around 31.5 grams per serving if you were eating a combination of all 3 brands and alternating them.
SO what’s the problem in all this you may ask ? Well, when you consider that the total carbohydrate of these cereals per portion are around the same as a regular Snickers bar, or a Mars bar and all carbohydrates ultimately are converted into glucose in the body, then you have to ask yourself. Why are cereals so fiercely advocated as a healthy option, when from a blood glucose point of view they are no kinder on levels than a chocolate bar from the local shop ?
Paul
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7 comments:
let me guess ... because cereal companies so generously donate to Dietetic organizations? :-)
I was told by a Dr that cereals were bad for diabetics but porridge was fine.Yet the "welcome pack" for diabetics from the same practice advised that certain cereals were Ok. How was this? Because the Drs had no idea what was in the handout.
A Hca meaning to be helpful had acquired a diet sheet from a neighbouring area.This sheet was not intended as dietary recommendations for newly diagnosed but to help those with extremely bad diets {non diabetics} to improve! I can only imagine how much misinformation this helped to spread.
Like many others I can't tolerate oatmeal either without huge spikes. Without a meter I would still be enjoying my porridge each day
Kath
Ugh, cereal not only added to my carb fueled diet during the Weight Watchers years, but was also a MAJOR emotional/binge trigger food for me.
You are right, with the skim milk- it was like a candy bar for me.
So glad to be off the grains and the dairy. All those "healthy" bowls of oatmeal and thinking I was lowering my cholesterol... more steps closer to dibetes and inflammation.. Ugh.
I agree with Tess- there are tie in's with cereal and diabetic organization. Sad.
My diabetic nurse suggested that All Bran or Bran Flakes were ok to eat but stay clear of cornflakes, frosties, rice crispies. If I'd known then what I know now i'd never have gone out and bought any.
Of course now a days I never buy them and breakfast always has an egg, sometimes two, included.
Lin
It would be so much less confusion if people were eating according to own glycosameter.
That is very true Galina but when people are newly diagnosed they can very confused and maybe ill, they are just grateful for a little practical guidance. They are not given a meter and if they have heard of them and ask are told testing is unnecessary. Even when meters were issued patients were not advised to use them for testing the effects of various foods, I was told I was to take readings to enable he Dr to adjust my medication.
Knowledge is power as they say. Unfortunately it can take some time to find the necessary information and often damage has already been done. Getting the right advice on diagnosis is vitally important.
Kath
Wheat is unfit for human consumption. Wheat is a grass and should only be eaten if you have a rumen in your digestive system such as a cow. Wheat contains large amounts of lectins (toxins) which causes leaky gut which sets off the autoimmune response. Wheat contains polypeptides which bind to the opiate receptors in the brain and causes addiction and increases hunger, and can also cause schizophrenia. They contain phytates which bind to minerals so the body cannot absorb them. Wheat has a high glycemic index and will keep your blood glucose levels high with a sharp drop afterwards due to amylopectin A it contains. Diabetic or not, nobody should eat wheat. I don't know why dieticians don't know any of this!!! In Australia, the Dietician's Association is sponsored by the Wheat and Legume Board and Kellogs. Do you see the connection??
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