If you want to add a specific variety of vegetable to your daily diabetes diet, carrot is one of your safest choices. It is a non-starchy vegetable containing beta-carotene, fiber, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients Carrot is good to eat if you have diabetes as a raw carrot has a very low GI score of 16; however, only eat in small amounts as it also contains 10g of carbohydrates.
Other nutritional value of carrots:
- Vitamin C – 9%
- Iron – 1%
- Vitamin B6 – 5%
- Magnesium – 3%
- Carbohydrate – 10 g
- Protein – 0.9 g
- Sodium – 69 mg
- Potassium – 320 mg
- Protein – 0.9 g
If you prepare carrots with carbohydrate-rich ingredients, expect your blood sugar levels to spike. The presence of fiber in carrots may not be enough if you add too many carbohydrates while cooking this vegetable.
Carrots contain a lot of benefits. It includes the composition of essential nutrients that individuals with diabetes can take advantage of. These nutrients or compounds are as follows:
- Fiber – People who are diagnosed with diabetes need fiber in their diet. And what better option there is than adding carrots to their daily meal? Besides improving blood sugar levels, carrots are capable of stimulating insulin sensitivity because of fiber.
- Vitamins – A diabetic person with low levels of vitamins is at risk of different health problems, especially diabetes. Taking in foods rich in vitamins helps in the production of insulin in the pancreas.
- Carotenoids – One of the many benefits of eating carrots is preventing a diabetes-related complication called diabetic retinopathy. Carrots contain carotenoids, which protect the eyes from any damage. This pigment prevents vision loss, common in individuals with diabetes.
- Antioxidants – Carrots are a good source of antioxidants. This vegetable has a lot to offer other than improving blood glucose levels. It lowers the risk of heart disease, constipation, and cancer.
Besides carrots, there are other non-starchy vegetables that individuals with varying blood sugar levels can try. These include the following
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Peppers
- Mushroom
- Tomatoes
- Asparagus
- Okra
- Green beans
- Spinach
Takeaway
Before adding carrots to your meal, ask your dietitian first if they are suitable for your condition. If it does, eat only in moderation. Individuals with diabetes must stay intact with their diabetes treatment and therapy. Following a healthcare professional’s advice in managing diabetes is key to controlling diabetes. Furthermore, always maintain the prescribed meal plan to ensure normal blood sugar levels.
