In food, sweet potatoes have always been popular due to their unique taste and nutritional value. However, the controversy over whether sweet potatoes cause blood sugar to rise is not uncommon.
So, is sweet potato really a “death knell” for high blood sugar? An internal medicine chief points out that for patients with high blood sugar, the key lies in how to scientifically and reasonably match their diet. He suggests that in addition to consuming sweet potatoes in moderation, one should also eat the following five types of food more.
Nutritional Value of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes contain dietary fiber, carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, as well as more than 10 trace elements like potassium, iron, copper, selenium, calcium, and others. The nutritional value is very high, and nutritionists refer to them as the most balanced health food.
Sweet potatoes are particularly rich in beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C. In particular, sweet potatoes are rich in lysine, while rice and flour lack lysine. Eating sweet potatoes with rice and flour can provide a more comprehensive protein supplement.
Are sweet potatoes the “death knell” for high blood sugar?
Due to the presence of a certain amount of starch and sugar in sweet potatoes, excessive intake can indeed lead to increased blood sugar. Therefore, for patients with high blood sugar, consuming sweet potatoes in moderation is acceptable, but one should be mindful of controlling the intake to avoid excessive consumption.
So, how should one scientifically match and consume sweet potatoes in moderation? The internal medicine chief suggests that when consuming sweet potatoes, patients with high blood sugar can pair them with foods that have a low glycemic index, such as leafy vegetables and legumes, to slow down the rate of blood sugar increase.
Additionally, one should also pay attention to controlling the total calorie intake per meal to avoid fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Internal Medicine Chief: These 5 foods are recommended to be eaten more
1. Whole grains
Whole grains are a very healthy food as they are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They have very good effects on regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and promoting intestinal motility.
In particular, brown rice, brown rice cakes, whole grain bread, etc., have low glycemic indexes, which can help control blood sugar levels. Therefore, patients with high blood sugar can consume whole grains in moderation, such as brown rice, brown rice cakes, whole grain bread, etc.
2. Fish
Fish has a low content of saturated fatty acids and consuming it will not lead to fat accumulation, nor will it cause weight gain! In addition, eating fish in moderation can help excrete excess cholesterol from the body and stabilize blood lipid levels.
However, when cooking fish, it is advisable to avoid using frying methods and opt for steaming or stewing instead.
3. Bitter Melon
Bitter melon contains various nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, etc., and has effects like heat-clearing, detoxifying, diuretic, and antihypertensive properties. Besides, one active ingredient in bitter melon, bitter melon saponin, can lower blood sugar, regulate blood lipids, and have antioxidant properties. Therefore, diabetic patients can consume bitter melon in moderation.
4. Pumpkin
High blood sugar is very dangerous, and some people develop diabetes because they didn’t control their high blood sugar in time. If one finds their blood sugar levels unstable, they can choose pumpkin to regulate them.
Many people find pumpkins slightly sweet, thought to be avoided when blood sugar is high. However, pumpkins are rich in pectin, which can inhibit the body’s absorption of glucose.
Furthermore, they contain a lot of sorbitol, which is helpful for improving pancreatic function. More insulin secretion leads to better blood sugar control.
5. Black Fungus
Let’s start with black fungus, which has very high nutritional value, containing many vitamins, various minerals, and is commonly seen as a vegetable, also having the effect of reducing blood sugar.
However, when eating black fungus, one needs to be aware that some black fungi picked from trees cannot be consumed as they need to undergo multiple processes like drying to be edible.
Some wild black fungi are toxic, so one must pay attention to whether these black fungi are safe to eat. If unsure, it is better not to pick and use them.
Don’t worry about high blood sugar, do these 5 things, and blood sugar will not misbehave!
1. Don’t forget to drink more water
Drinking water is a common thing in daily life, but in hot summers, due to more sweating, the amount of water consumed becomes important. Diabetics often have high blood sugar and thick blood which affects metabolism, so it is crucial to pay attention to increasing water intake to maintain normal metabolism.
In summer, the daily water intake should ideally reach 2000 milliliters to reduce the pressure on blood vessel circulation and kidney metabolism, thereby helping to stabilize blood sugar.
2. Exercise moderately
Patients with high blood sugar should develop a habit of moderate exercise in their daily lives. Although many high blood sugar patients may have poor physical condition and may not be able to engage in intense exercise, a 20-minute walk after meals is sufficient to achieve satisfactory results.
Scientific research has found that exercising for 20 minutes a day can effectively increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, significantly lowering blood sugar levels.
3. Keep the diet light
In summer, many people like to eat cold noodles, porridge, or cold drinks, thinking that it increases appetite and relieves heat, but these foods are high in carbohydrates and can lead to blood sugar fluctuations. It is advisable for diabetics to eat fruits moderately between meals and avoid chilled foods to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
4. Monitor the condition
In summer, blood sugar fluctuations are high, so regular monitoring of blood sugar is necessary to ensure postprandial blood sugar remains stable between 5.5 and 8.0 millimoles per liter, and fasting blood sugar remains stable between 4.4 and 6.0 millimoles per liter.
Additionally, it is essential to maintain good blood lipids and blood pressure and seek medical attention promptly if any abnormalities occur. Apart from this, regular urine routine tests are recommended to timely detect ketoacidosis and urinary tract infections.
5. Maintain a good routine
Everyone has their own habits and daily routines, some prefer to sleep and wake up early, while others like to sleep and wake up late; some like to sleep in, while others get out of bed on time.
Regardless, it is important to follow the body’s biological clock, attempt to maintain healthy sleep habits, not sleep too little or too much.
Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a regular work and rest schedule, as leaning too much towards work or rest is extremely harmful to the body. Developing good habits in sleep patterns is very helpful in maintaining our bodies.
Summary: For patients with high blood sugar, sweet potatoes are not an absolute forbidden food, but the consumption quantity and timing need to be controlled. In terms of diet pairing, combining other blood sugar-lowering foods can help control blood sugar levels. It is advisable to control blood sugar and make dietary adjustments under the guidance of a doctor.
