Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of gluten-free food products available with the promise of various health benefits. But how many of us know what gluten-free foods look like? A gluten-free diet is a protein that is present in wheat and many other bowls of cereal. This means eating only whole foods, which contain no gluten. These include fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, low-fat dairy products, and eggs, as well as processed gluten-free foods such as gluten-free bread or pasta. Although oats are naturally gluten-free, they can be contaminated during production by wheat, barley, and rye.
Gluten is not always harmful to diabetics, and not always just follow a gluten-free diet. Though, a gluten-free diet can be beneficial for some diabetics. The association of gluten with diabetes varies depending on the type of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is associated with celiac disease as it is an auto-immune disease. People who have diabetes and celiac disease should avoid gluten.
Type 2 diabetes is not an auto-immune disorder nor is it related to celiac disease.
Even though gluten itself is usually safe for diabetics, many foods that contain gluten, such as white bread and biscuits, also contain sugars and carbohydrates. These types of foods can significantly impact blood sugar levels. People suffering from diabetes should therefore limit
their consumption.
Gluten-free products contain carbohydrates and calories. These foods can still affect blood glucose and lead to weight gain. Celiac disease complicates the management of diabetic symptoms. Because gluten causes inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, It affects the absorption of food in the intestine.
Examples of gluten-free food items that are appropriate for people with diabetes –
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Quinoa Almond Bars
- Skinny Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
- Herb-Roasted Nuts
- Cheesy Chicken Sweet Potato Skins
- Vegetable and hummus
General Medicine & Diabetology department at Saraswati Hospital is equipped with state-of-art facilities for the treatment of basic to complicated endocrine problems for adult and pediatric endocrine disorders under the expert care and consultation of our best diabetologists in ahmedabad.
Once a person starts following a gluten-free diet, sometimes it spikes blood sugar. So it needs to pay attention to the blood sugar. This is very general guidance, and it is advisable to consult an experienced nutritionist to navigate a diet for diabetes and celiac disease. For more information or inquiry, please call +91 98254 45403/09 or email: info@saraswatihospitals.com.