How Much Water Should A Person With Diabetes Drink
Staying properly hydrated is crucial for blood sugar regulation as your body eliminates excess glucose through urine. The Institute of Medicine recommends men drink 13 cups and women drink 9 cups of water per day.
While weâve got some great options for you to check out, itâs important to remember than none of these should be replacing your water intake.
But, with that said, we also know sometimes you just want something other than water!
Sliced Apples With Peanut Butter
Sliced apples paired with nut butter make for a delicious and healthy snack thats great for people with diabetes.
Apples are rich in several nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin C and potassium, while peanut butter provides significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and manganese, all of which are known to help manage diabetes (26, 27,
31 ).
You can also try pairing other types of fruit with peanut butter, such as bananas or pears, for similar health benefits.
Keep Safe Blood Sugar Levels With These 6 Best Juices For Diabetics
Do you suffer from diabetes or do you know someone who does? Its very common today, so here are some suggestions for the best juices for diabetics.
Normal blood sugar levels rise and fall throughout the day due to hormones and what you eat, but they dont change massively.
But if you suffer from diabetes, your blood sugar changes more dramatically because insulin doesnt work as it should to keep everything in balance. So as a diabetic, you need to be aware of your blood sugar levels and watch what you eat and drink
As a general rule, you need to avoid fruit-only juices, as the natural sugars in the fruit can raise blood sugar levels. However, research shows that the juices listed below are safe and can help to keep blood sugar levels in check.
Remember to always check with your health professional before making changes to your diet. This post is NOT medical advice!
Read on for the best juices for diabetics.
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Drinks With Artificial Sweeteners
Be aware of popular hydration drinks and electrolyte drinks that claim to be healthy and say sugarless. In most cases sugarless simple means there are artificial sweeteners or bad sugar substitutes. Artificial sweeteners are made from chemicals and have been proven to be bad for the body and even cause cancer. Sugar substitutes like high-fructose corn syrup, which is another form of sugar but derived from corn, are not good for diabetics.
Worst Drinks For Diabetics Alcoholic Beverages
According to a study in 2022, high alcohol consumption increased the risk of getting type 2 diabetes in men . Excessive intake of alcohol actually reduces blood sugar levels while moderate intake of alcohol raises blood sugar levels. Beer and sweet wines are rich in the sugar content, which adds more glucose to your blood stream. You should check with a doctor to determine which alcoholic beverages are not dangerous for you to drink.
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Peanut Butter And Berry Smoothie:
Peanut butter is packed full of healthy protein and fat. It would be recommended to use a natural peanut butter that is less processed, and has no added sugar. Combine that with fresh or frozen berries for a super dose of antioxidants and vitamins, and a boost of fiber, and you have a healthy yet delicious smoothie. Tofu provides added protein and texture, and again, we see almond milk as an ingredient.
It brings up feelings of moms peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, with the grape juice for sweetness giving it that nostalgia. Peanut butter is low in carbohydrates, at about 6 grams per two tablespoons. It does have some of all of the kinds of fats . There are good fats in the mix that promote HDL cholesterol, or good cholesterol in your blood stream.
Saturated fat is about 16% of daily allowance. Peanut butter provides some B6 and magnesium, and is low in salt.I live in an area of NC where blueberries are king. There are blueberry farms on the back roads in the interior of our coastal countie, and I have visited many farm workers to discuss their diabetes.We have a fall Farm Worker and Spanish speaking diabetes class that I teach, and they always give me fresh blueberries when I go out to visit the camps. Besides being antioxidants, blueberries provide Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and manganese.
The Best Fruits For People With Diabetes
Two to three servings of fruit a day is recommended, and that can is true for people with diabetes, too.
“If you combine fruit with a fat or protein, it will help you feel fuller and help with that portion control,” Fienman says.
Here are some beneficial fruits that are not only lower on the glycemic index, but also pack a punch with other vitamins and minerals:
- berries Both citrus and berries are recommended as superfoods by the American Diabetes Association.
- cherries
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Fruit Infused Water Recipes
The recipes below are typically good for flushing toxins from your body and help improve skin tone. Some of the fruits have additional benefits, and we will note those below.
Clean Eating and Detox
- Strawberries, lime and fresh mint. Mint is especially useful for helping with skin tone and digestion.
- Watermelon, cucumber, and mint. Watermelon and cucumber are excellent sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
- Mint, strawberries, and watermelon. Not only makes a beautiful presentation but is a very tasty detox. Kids seem to especially like this combination.
Appetite & Blood Sugar Support
- Cucumber, strawberries, and kiwi. Kiwi has some amazing health benefits. In addition to curbing appetite, kiwi is very high in vitamin C, so its fabulous for immune support. Its also very high in antioxidants. This is helpful for clear skin and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Cucumber, lemon, and lime. In addition to the above, cucumber also helps to aid digestion.
- Ginger, cucumber, and lemon. Ginger is helpful with any digestion issues and helps provide that appetite support keep the snacking at bay.
- Lemon, lime, and green tea. Work well together for a great taste and health benefits.
Lower Blood Pressure
In addition to a lower salt diet, these combinations of fruit infused water can also be helpful in lowering blood pressure. Though some of these are not fruits you normally might eat, they are excellent as far as taste goes.
Metabolism Boosting
Immune Boosting and Digestion
Protein Drinks For Diabetes: What About Glucerna And Boost Glucose Control
Glucerna and Boost are brands of meal-replacement shakes and bars designed specifically for people with diabetes. These products are low in calories and sugar and higher in protein and healthy fats. Theyre good options if youre on the go.
Some studies have shown that using one of these drinks as a meal replacement once daily leads to weight loss in some people with diabetes.
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Benefits Of Fruit Juice
Fruit juice has some benefits, however the benefits are generally outweighed by the disadvantage of the sugar content.
Fruit juice is a good source of nutrients such as vitamin C. However, it is better to get vitamin C from eating small portions of whole fruits or eating leafy green vegetables.
Leafy greens have a strong advantage over fruit or fruit juice in that they have much less effect on raising blood sugar levels.
Cucumber Mint And Melon Smoothie:
For a crisp refreshing, salad in a glass, try cucumber, mint, and melon smoothies. Cucumbers are cold and crisp. I love to infuse water with them. For nutrients, they are a good choice for Vitamin A, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium. They dont have any fat, salt, or carbohydrates. They pack a lot of fiber into your diet.Honeydew melon is a low glycemic index fruit. There are only about 60 calories in a cup of it, and only about 12 grams of carbohydrates. Its mostly made up of water, but loaded with fiber, and other minerals. You get some copper, B vitamin thiamine, phosphorus, niacin, and pantothenic acid.
I know what you will say about this next ingredient, but hear me out. Cauliflower, has 77% of your vitamin C needs daily. Its also a good source of vegetable protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, riboflavin, and thiamin. There is also B6, folate, phosphorus, and magnesium. You will be grinding the cauliflower up very finely. The other flavors will mask what you may have as a visual for a glass full of cauliflower. Just try it, trust me! I did. I will say it was surprisingly refreshing, and I will make this smoothie again. Nutritionally, mint leaves have a trace amount of vitamin A and C, but they are great to flavor this smoothie.
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Drinks For Diabetics Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is rich in antioxidants and contains no calories so that it is one of the best drinks for diabetics. According to a recent study, chamomile tea has some beneficial impacts on glycemic control & serum lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients . According to another study, regular consumption of chamomile tea may help to decrease blood sugar and prevent complications such as nerve and circulatory damage, blindness, and kidney disease. Besides, chamomile consists of anti-microbial and antioxidant agents, which help to reduce inflammation and decrease both cholesterol and cancer risk.
Things To Look Out For
Many drinks contain high levels of sugars and carbohydrates. Food labels and nutritional facts can give valuable information about what they contain. Labels should state the serving size and carbohydrate content of any drink.
People with diabetes have different needs, so there are no exact dietary rules, but the following tips may help manage blood sugar:
- Consume a balanced diet and manage the intake of carbohydrate from food and drinks.
- Keep carbohydrate levels consistent from day to day and spread evenly throughout.
- Consume enough carbohydrate to enable the body and brain to function properly.
- Check blood sugar levels regularly and speak to a doctor if there are any concerns.
- Each person should speak to their healthcare provider about their daily nutritional needs.
The following drinks are not good choices for people with diabetes.
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What Are Good Drinks For Diabetics
Whatever you eat, gets converted to sugars. The body derives energy from food in the form of glucose. Insulin plays a role in letting glucose enter the cells so that the cells can get energy. Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases caused when insulin is not produced at all, or the body does not use insulin properly.
As glucose does not enter the cells, it remains in the blood and results in high blood glucose. What makes it intimidating is its capability to damage kidneys, eyes, heart, and limbs.
Several studies indicate that, weight loss and exercise help manage blood sugar efficiently, slows the progress of type 2 diabetes and even get one off the medication.
Losing 1 gram of fat around the pancreas, whether by diet or surgery, can improve insulin function according to the research led by Professor Roy Taylor.
1. Detox Water
Detox water refers to fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, or herb infused water that helps in losing weight. Drinking adequate water increases Resting Energy Expenditure . Drinking excess water, over and above the daily water intake especially before meals helps to reduce food intake. Dehydration causes increased levels of vasopressin that result in the liver, producing more blood sugar.
For diabetics, water infused with apple, cinnamon, blueberry, orange, aloe and grapefruit is a good choice.
2. Whey Protein Drink
3. Hot Chocolate Milk
4. Coconut Water
5. Black Tea
6. Chaas with Cumin and Turmeric
7. Vegetable Smoothie
What Is Free Sugar
Free sugar includes the sugars added to foods by manufacturers, eg in cakes, chocolates, jam, some pasta sauces, fizzy drinks and breakfast cereals. It also includes the sugar found in fruit juices, smoothies and honey.
A recent report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition , stated that we need to reduce our intake of free sugars by half.
The report recommends that we should consume no more than 5 per cent of our energy from free sugar. This means the maximum daily intake of free sugar should be:
- 19g, equal to 5 cubes or 5 tsp of sugar, for children
- 24g, equal to 6 cubes or 6 tsp of sugar, for children aged
- 30g, equal to 7 cubes or 7 tsp of sugar, for children and adults
Eating too much free sugar contributes towards obesity, tooth decay and also puts people at risk of Type 2 diabetes.
The report clearly states that we do not need to cut down our intake of whole fruit and, in fact, recommends that we eat more.
The best thing you can do is to get label savvy, so that you are aware of all the hidden free sugars in the foods that you buy. Aim to cut down where you can. You can control the amount of sugar you use if you cook food yourself. Check out our recipe finder for suggestions.
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Diabetes can be managed through oral medications. In addition to insulin, metformin, which is a sugar-reducing agent, is also a common treatment for diabetes. It is considered a first-line therapy for diabetes treatment and is often added to insulin. It is important to know the risks of taking diabetes medications. Some drugs can be addictive, so you must consult your doctor before taking any medication. Your physician can prescribe you an appropriate treatment plan based on your medical history.
Your doctor will prescribe medication and check your blood glucose levels on a regular basis. Your A1c level will be checked every six months and your cholesterol levels will be tested regularly. Your doctor will also look for any signs of retinopathy, which is damage to the nerves in the eye caused by diabetes. You will also be examined for any foot problems. It is important to see a foot specialist regularly. Your feet should be thoroughly inspected for damage to the nerves.
While the first two types of insulin are the most common treatments, diabetes can be treated in a variety of ways. Your doctor may prescribe medications to control high blood pressure, which can protect the kidneys. Other types of medication include aspirin and other types of anti-platelet drugs. If your doctor is concerned about your blood sugar level, you may need to try a different medication. Some medications can cause side effects. Your treatment will depend on what type of insulin you need.
Drinks For Diabetics Water
Water is one of the best drinks for diabetics because it wont increase the levels of blood sugar. High levels of blood sugar can cause dehydration. Consuming enough water can help the body remove excess glucose through urine. Men should consume around 10 glasses of water daily while women should consume approximately 8 glasses. If plain water does not appeal to you, you can create some variety by adding sprigs of flavorful herbs, such as basil, mint, or lemon balm, or adding slices of lime, lemon, or orange, or crushing several frozen or fresh raspberries into your drink.
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Tips For Preparing Your Drink
Here are six tips to keep in mind when preparing your drink:
Thoroughly Clean Your Fruit Before Use
You never know how many people touched those before they came into your contact. Whether you peel or not is up to you.
The Recipes Are Just a Guideline
We are listing the ingredients, but you will need to work with quantities until you get a taste that you enjoy. More fruit = more taste. Citrus fruits tend to be stronger so less is okay and they also tend to flavor your water quicker.
In general, letting your fruit infuse in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before drinking will produce the best taste. However, some people really like the taste and look of the fruit directly in the glass. The combinations are endless, and the display is up to you.
Drink the Water Within 24 Hours
If you dont drink it in 24 hours, the taste tends to get too strong and the fruit becomes mushy. I suggest reusing the fruit and add more water in that time period, but the taste may lessen as you continue to do so.
You Could Eat the Fruit Afterward
This is optional. Depending on the fruit you use, you could eat it after you’ve finished your drink, but honestly, I dont recommend it as its really not very tasty.
Try Making Fruit Ice Cubes First
Just put some fruit pieces into the trays then fill with water and freeze. These will give you a lesser taste of fruit as you get started. As a bonus, they look really pretty in your glass.
Don’t Have Mint? Use Peppermint Oil Instead
Fruit Juices And Smoothies
Many of you have contacted us confused about fruit, fruit juices and smoothies and whether they are something you can have if you have diabetes.
So weve set out to answer your questions and explain the difference between drinking fruit juice and smoothies and eating whole fruit and how this can affect your diabetes management and overall health.
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Sweetened Or Unsweetened Fruit Juices
Although 100 percent fruit juice is fine in moderation, and is a source of nutrients like vitamin C, all fruit juices can add a high amount of carbohydrates to your diet and are pure sugar. This combination can wreak havoc on your blood sugar and increase your risk for weight gain.
If you have a fruit juice craving that wont fade, be sure you pick up a juice thats 100 percent pure and contains no added sugars.
Also, limit your portion size to 4 ounces , which will reduce your sugar intake to only 3.6 teaspoons .
You might consider adding a splash or two of your favorite juice to sparkling water instead.
- increased weight gain
- high blood sugar levels
Upon further analysis, the study participants who had overweight or obesity, which are risk factors for metabolic syndrome, had likely been swapping no-calorie soda for the full-sugar versions.
They likely took this step to cut their calorie intake. This was an association, but it wasnt considered cause and effect.
A 2016 study seemed to show that those drinking diet sodas had increased blood sugar levels and waist circumference.
However, this study did not control for meals or physical activity or other variables before each round of testing was done.
Further, the authors stated that individuals with higher insulin levels at the beginning of the study may have already had metabolic issues not related to their intake of sugar-free sodas.
For most people living with diabetes, sugar-free sodas are safe in moderation.