Best Whole Grain Cereal For Diabetics

How To Build A Diabetes

There are four categories you want to try to include when planning a diabetes-friendly meal, whether for breakfast or other times of day. They consist of:

Focusing on these four types of food will ensure that your plate checks all the boxes of a satisfying, nutrient-dense meal. Plus, you’ll set yourself up to make better meal choices throughout the rest of the day.

Are Americans Eating Enough Whole Grains It Depends On Who You Ask

by Tufts University

A diet rich in whole grains, which are naturally high in fiber, is associated with lowering a person’s risk for various health problems. Overall, Americans are eating more whole-grain foods than ever before, researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University report in a new study, published November 30 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. However, the increase in whole-grain intake over the past two decades could be 39.5% or 61.5%, depending on which definition of a whole-grain food is being used. In addition, Americans’ mean consumption of whole-grain foods remained far below the recommended consumption of at least three ounces each day and varied considerably by each definition.

The researchers say there’s a clear need to standardize how consumers, researchers, and policymakers talk about whole-grain foods. The study compared overlapping definitions from five institutions: the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , the American Heart Association, the American Association of Cereal Chemists International, and the Whole Grains Council. The research team applied the various definitions of a whole-grain food to the dietary intakes of over 39,700 adults captured by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2003 and 2018.

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The #1 Best Cereal To Eat If You Have Diabetes Dietitian Says

There’s no doubt that cereal can be a tasty and convenient breakfast optionor snack at any time of the day depending on your preferencehowever, it’s also something that often contains a fair share of both sugar and carbs which can raise a person’s blood glucose level. This can be an issue for people with diabetes who need to be careful when it comes to blood glucose or sugar levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.

At the same time, that doesn’t mean that cereal is completely off the menu for those with diabetesyou just need to know which cereal is the best option for people with diabetes, which in this case is “unsweetened cereals that are made with whole grains,” according to Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, a senior dietitian at UCLA medical center, assistant professor at UCLA Fielding school of public health, and author with Cambridge University Press, of the new book, Recipe for Survival.

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Special K Kelloggs Cereal

Containing a mix of nuts, rice, and wheat flakes, the Special K Kelloggs Cereal in Cinnamon Pecan flavor can be a great pick if youre keeping an eye on your blood sugar. The cereal contains zero saturated fat and cholesterol, which adds even more to its health benefits.

In terms of sugar, each serving contains 7g which is still much lower than other mainstream cereals. Whats more, with more nuts and whole grains in the mix, the cereal offers substantial amounts of protein and fiber for slower energy release in the body.

The cereal itself is pleasantly palatable, with a distinct cinnamon flavor and crunchy pecans throughout the mix. The only downside to the product is the texture which might seem a little stale to some consumers.

Foods That Contain Gluten

Unfortunately, there are many foods on grocery shelves that contain gluten, some of which are surprising. Its important to carefully check the ingredients of any packaged products. Always look for the words gluten-free when reading food labels.

The gluten-free label shows that a product doesnt contain gluten. It also ensures that the product wasnt made in a facility where other gluten-containing products are produced, which could mean there is still gluten in the food.

Here is a list of the main grains that contain gluten:

Listed below are just a few common foods that contain gluten. Talk with your doctor or dietitian to find out more:

• Bread and pastries

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But Those Cereals Are Expensive

Yes, yes they are! You know whats cheaper? A couple of eggs over easy and a big pile of sauteed greens with nuts.

There are all kinds of ways to eat a low-carb breakfast and ditch the processed products entirely. I have even collected a long list of the best low-carb recipe ideas for diabetics.

But you could also create those breakfast cereals for diabetics yourself by simply mixing: unsweetened coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, a little flax meal, a little oat fiber, frozen blueberries, etc. and pouring a little milk on top! Step out of your comfort zone and try some new things.

Food For Life Ezekiel : 9 Cereal Sprouted Crunchy Original 16 Oz

• All natural, kosher certified, organic, vegan, dairy free, yeast free, flourless.
• No conditioners, additives, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Exculsive baking prcesses to ensure proper moisture levels, texture, and maximum flavor without losing vital nutrients and important natural fiber

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Product Details

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Crunchy Cereal Original 16 oz Box Food for Life Original Sprouted Grain Crunchy Cereal contains 6 grams of dietary fiber, 8 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of sugar! This cereal is different from most because it is made from freshly sprouted, certified organically grown whole grains, legumes, and seeds, and contain absolutely no flour.

Sprouting is the only way to release all of the vital nutrients, and causes a natural change that promotes more efficient assimilation of the protein and carbohydrates. Even better, Food for Life uses an exclusive slow baking process that helps to preserve valuable nutrients and retain the important natural fiber and bran.

There are no refined sugars, no preservatives, no artificial flavors, no shortening and no cholesterol in this cereal!.

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Fresh, juicy peaches complement it well, too.

Can be eaten hot or cold so its an all year around cereal.

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If You Are Following A Gluten

a) avoid all grains

b) only have small amounts of grains

c) go for the wide variety of gluten-free grains

Correct answer: There are many gluten-free grains on the market these days sorghum, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, and millet are just a few examples. Pure oats are gluten-free, but they may be cross-contaminated if they are grown near gluten-containing grains, so be sure to look for oats labelled as gluten-free.

Keep An Eye On The Hidden Ingredients

When grocery shopping, it’s essential to be aware of the ingredients in the food you’re buying. Sometimes, hidden ingredients may not appear obvious at first glance. For example, many cereals are high in sugar.

The American Diabetes Association recommends looking for cereals with at least 3 grams of fiber and less than 6 grams of sugar. But, sugar can be listed under different ingredient labels. It’s crucial to be vigilant and check the labels carefully. Healthline lists the 56 other names of sugars that may be hidden in the nutrition list of products that we buy.

Additionally, you should also watch out for foods that are high in sodium. The Mayo Clinic recommends limiting your sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day. By being aware of the ingredients in the food you’re buying, you can make healthier choices for yourself and your family.

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How Much Cereal Should I Eat

Most people with diabetes should aim to eat about 30 to 45 grams of carbohydrate for breakfast. When it comes to cereal, this includes the milk and any other add-ons such as banana or berries. One cup of milk accounts for 12 grams of carbohydrate. Look at the portion size suggested on the cereal box and determine how much net carbohydrate is in that serving . Measure out this amount of cereal or less, depending on your carbohydrate goal. Dont rely on eye-balling, because you will likely underestimate the amount!

The Best Start Every Day

Whatever your choice for breakfast for your diabetes, it’s important to maintain a regular meal pattern and try to make time to eat breakfast each morning.

This will give you a great head start on your day, providing you with the fuel needed to set about your daily tasks.

If you don’t feel hungry first thing, try keeping a box of healthy cereal or porridge at work. Some people find this can be a better alternative to mid-morning snacking on chocolate biscuits once you start to feel peckish.

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Are There Any Ingredients I Should Avoid When Selecting A Sugar

If youre looking for a sugar-free cereal, youll want to check the ingredients list for any added sugars. There are over 50 different names for sugar used on ingredient labels, so it sometimes can be tricky to identify them sometimes.

Some of the most common names for sugar you may see on cereal labels includes corn syrup, fruit juice, honey, and sucrose.

To know for sure if a cereal contains sugar, check the nutrition facts panel. The grams of sugar and added sugar per serving are required to be on this label. If these numbers are not zero grams, then the cereal contains some sugar .

Surprising Foods That Have Little Impact On Blood Sugar

From yogurt and fruit to breakfast cereal and sweet potatoes, these foods are worth a spot on your diabetes-friendly grocery list.

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When youre diagnosed with diabetes, one of the first changes that your doctor will recommend is cleaning up your diet. Suddenly even seemingly healthy foods are placed on a do-not-eat list. While you may start to feel like there are very few foods you can eat safely, youll be happy to hear that a handful of foods commonly assumed to be off-limits are actually healthy choices for those living with the condition.

These off-limits foods actually have a much lower impact on glucose levels than people think, and get the green light to include in a diabetes-friendly diet. The 10 on this list all have a low or medium glycemic load , which is a measurement that factors in a foods glycemic index and carbohydrates per serving to show how the food affects blood sugar, according to Oregon State University. Foods low on the scale break down more slowly in the body, which may produce fewer fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. A GL of 10 or under is considered low, while 11 to 19 is medium, and 20 and above is high.

While no two people with diabetes will respond to a certain food the same way, here are 10 foods you may be surprised to learn may have little impact on blood sugar.

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Top Tips When Selecting Cereal

• Be aware of portion sizes consider whether the portion size suggested on the box is the same as the portion size youre consuming. Many people pour a larger bowl and therefore consume more calories and more carbohydrate. This is important if youre counting calories to control weight, or if you carb count to adjust the correct dose of insulin.
• Weigh your cereal a couple of times to get an idea of the amount you usually consume and then keep a note of this along with other foods you consume on a regular basis. Use this weight against the per 100g values to calculate your intake.
• Another tip when carb counting remember to allow for the extras you have added to your cereal such as milk, fruit or yogurt.
• Check the label for fibre and try to choose a cereal with a higher fibre content.
• The type of milk you choose to put on your cereal can also contribute to overall health choosing semi-skimmed or skimmed instead of whole milk can reduce your overall fat intake for the day.
• Try to choose cereals that are graded green for sugar, where possible.

How Much Sugar A Day Is Safe

A national survey published in 2016 showed that American adults averaged at least 77 grams of added sugar per day. Children were found to eat a startling 82 grams. To put things in context, 4 grams of sugar equals 1 teaspoon.

These numbers are way above the daily limits recommended by the American Heart Association :

• Women: 25 grams
• Children ages 2 to 18: less than 24 grams
• Children under age 2: No added sugars recommended.

If you have diabetes, your healthcare provider will probably advise that you eat even less sugar than this because sugar is dangerous for people with diabetes.

In diabetes, your body doesn’t properly use insulin, the hormone that helps you absorb blood sugar so it can be turned into energy or be stored for later. Unable to process the sugar, you develop high blood glucose levels, which causes inflammation throughout the body.

When a person with diabetes consumes too much sugar, many body parts, including the cells that produce insulin, are affected. Regularly having too much sugar will, over time, cause these cells to wear out, so your body won’t be able to make insulin at all. This leads to more inflammation. Eventually, this inflammation can damage the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys.

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Breakfast Cereal For Diabetes: Lets Crunch Some Numbers

Are you wondering what breakfast cereal is okay for diabetes? Youre not alone!

Were constantly receiving comments such as:

• I like breakfast cereal, but most of the have too much sugar and are full of carbs, which ones can I have?
• Are whole wheat cereals any good?
• Cereal is my biggest downfall, what can I do?
• I dont always want eggs, are there any cereals I can eat?

Without a doubt, many of us have become dependent on breakfast cereal as our go-to morning option. Its the food weve all grown up eating for breakfast for many years.

Still, while thats the case, that doesnt necessarily mean cereal makes a good companion for type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

So lets get to the bottom of this once and for all

Top Rated 17 Best Cereals For Diabetics

In case you watch your portions and choose wisely, there is no harm in enjoying cereal even when you are diabetic. The fact is that several kinds of cereal in the market are loaded with minerals and vitamins. These can help you to meet your nutritional requirements.

A person who is suffering from diabetes is recommended to eat cereals for his/her breakfast before they can exercise. It is because any kind of physical activity comes in handy to burn glucose or sugar. In case you are one out of those millions of diabetes patients who takes insulin or oral medication, your blood sugar will invariably go down. As such, you should consume carbs before your exercise session so that low blood sugars can be prevented during rigorous physical activity.

Let us now look at some of theTop Cereals For Diabetics:

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Top It Off With Dairy Or A Dairy Substitute

Consider adding half a cup of milk or dairy substitute to your bowl of cereal if it fits into your meal plan. Keep in mind that milk contains some natural sugars. Skim milk, 1 percent, or 2 percent milk can take the place of whole milk if you want to consume fewer calories and less saturated fat.

You can also use soy milk or almond milk if you have a lactose intolerance or dont like dairy milk. Unsweetened soy milk is similar to cows milk in carbohydrate content. Unsweetened almond milk contains fewer carbohydrates and calories than dairy or soy milk.

Ingredients You Must Check In Cereal

Whole Grains: The first thing you must check on the packet is the whole grains as they are the great breakfast cereals for everyone. They contain essential nutrients like Vitamin B, and food fiber that improves the overall health with daily consumption.

Dont go over the broad labels on front, flip the packet and read on nutritional facts. Look for whole grain wheat, whole kernel corn, whole buckwheat, millet or quinoa as the main ingredient.

If you found oatmeal, or oats on ingredients then it’s clear that it is completely whole grain, but if you read multigrain or wheat flour or anything different on top of the list, then the cereal wont be a good choice for diabetics.

Sugar: Just like whole grains, sugar is important to be considered. Check the quantity of sugar is added into the cereal. If the amount of sugar exceeds 10 grams per serving or may have artificial sweetening agents. Then this its not a right pick for you.

Also check features or indications of sweet things like frosting, peanut butter, marshmallows or chocolate, if you find then there are high chances of it being not diabetic friendly.

You must know that there are many forms of sugar like agave, sucrose, dextrose, cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. So, do find them about on the back labeling.

If you crave for some sweetness, then add some fresh fruits like banana or berries. The fruits not only add sweet flavor to breakfast cereal but also contain healthy sugar and add fiber to your diet.

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