Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic metabolic disease that has become a health threat worldwide, which is mainly manifested by abnormally high blood sugar levels, resulting in impaired function of multiple organs and tissues.
Soy milk, as a traditional health drink, has a place in many people's daily diet, however, for people with diabetes, are they able to enjoy soy milk with peace of mind?
Can't you drink "soy milk" for diabetes?
Some people will say that soy milk contains a high level of sugar, which may cause blood sugar to rise for diabetics, so it is best not to drink it.
This view seems to make sense, but we need to know that although soy milk contains certain carbohydrates, most of it is complex carbohydrates and proteins, and compared to cow's milk, soy milk has a lower sugar content and is more suitable for diabetic people's dietary control.
It is worth mentioning that the soy protein contained in soy milk can help control the rise in blood sugar levels and fat production, in addition, the fiber rich in soy milk helps to slow down the rate of food digestion and absorption, thereby reducing blood sugar fluctuations, therefore, for diabetics, moderate consumption of soy milk is beneficial.
However, as a diabetic patient, it is also crucial to choose the appropriate soy milk, we should try to choose pure soy milk, avoid soy milk products with sugar or other additives, in addition, diabetic patients should pay attention to controlling the portion size when drinking soy milk, and drink an appropriate amount each time.
Of course, each diabetic patient's constitution and condition are different, so the diet should be selected and adjusted according to the individual situation, and the best practice is to consult the advice of a professional doctor or dietitian to develop a reasonable diet plan.
Doctor: If you want to protect the islets of the pancreas, it is not recommended to eat more of the 3 things
1. High-sugar foods
High-sugar foods include sweets, cakes, desserts, etc. When we consume too much sugar, the islets secrete large amounts of insulin to help process those sugars.
Over time, excessive insulin secretion can lead to pancreatic islet dysfunction and may induce diabetes, so we should minimize the intake of high-sugar foods and choose low-sugar or sugar-free alternatives.
2. High-fat foods
High-fat foods mainly include fried foods, meats, cheeses, etc., and excessive intake of high-fat foods can lead to insulin resistance, that is, the body's sensitivity to insulin decreases, resulting in an increase in blood sugar levels.
At the same time, excessive fat intake can also lead to obesity and increase the risk of diabetes, so we should choose low-fat or fat-free foods, such as steaming and boiling in cooking, and minimize the intake of fried foods.
3. Refined foods
Refined food refers to processed food, such as white rice, white bread, saccharin, white sugar, etc., after these foods are processed, most of the fiber and nutrients are removed, and the rest is mainly carbohydrates, excessive carbohydrate intake will cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly, stimulate insulin secretion, and increase the burden on pancreatic islets.
Conversely, whole grains, whole grains, and non-over-processed foods contain more fiber and nutrients that help keep blood sugar levels stable, so we should choose unprocessed foods such as whole grains and whole-grain bread as staple foods.
What foods can help lower blood sugar?
First: oats
Oats are a healthy whole-grain food that contains a lot of fiber and β-glucan, which can slow down the digestion of carbohydrates and slow down the rise in blood sugar, in addition, oats can also effectively lower cholesterol and blood pressure, making them an ideal blood sugar regulating food.
Second: buckwheat
Not only that, buckwheat is rich in dietary fiber and double-chain sugars, which can help block the absorption of glucose and provide the energy needed for blood sugar stabilization, but buckwheat is also rich in quercetin, a potent natural antioxidant that has great benefits in preventing blood sugar instability and diabetes complications.
Third: legumes
Legumes are an excellent source of protein and fiber, which play an important role in blood sugar control, beans are rich in chronic carbohydrates that can help delay the release of blood sugar and reduce blood sugar fluctuations, in addition to magnesium and potassium, minerals that are essential for maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
Fourth: nuts
Nut foods are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and protein for blood sugar control, and these foods are lower in carbohydrates and can help reduce cravings for high-glycemic foods, with almonds, walnuts, and cashews being rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that help improve insulin sensitivity.
However, it is worth mentioning that dietary regulation is only one part of diabetes treatment, and while using these foods, we should also follow the doctor's advice and adhere to regular exercise and regular lifestyle habits to achieve better blood sugar control.
Source: Dr. Aixiang Health Science Popularization