Are Fruit Smoothies Good For Diabetics

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Ideal Ingredients For Diabetic Smoothies

Are Smoothies Good For My Diabetes?

Its important to remember that your smoothie is as healthy or unhealthy as the ingredients you include in it.There are ingredients known to help regulate blood sugar levels, and smoothies provide a great opportunity to ensure you get them each and every day!The American Diabetes Association has published a list of the ten foods that every diabetics should eat, to superpower your diet.These foods have a low glycemic index and provide important nutrients that you dont usually find in sufficient quantities in the typical western diet, such as: calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamins A , C, and E.Know someone expecting? Let them know about these pregnancy smoothie recipes!

Out of the superfoods recommended by the ADA, here are the ones that we believe are ideal for diabetic smoothies:

Healthiest Fruits For People With Diabetes

All fruits have vitamins, phytochemicals, and other things that make them good for you. But some are more likely to lower your chances of chronic disease:

  • Blackberries. One cup of raw berries has 62 calories, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 7.6 grams of fiber.
  • Strawberries. One cup of whole strawberries has 46 calories, 11 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber.
  • Tomatoes. One cup of sliced or chopped tomatoes has 32 calories, 7 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of fiber.
  • Oranges. One medium orange has 69 calories, 17 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber.

Smoothies For Weight Loss In Diabetes

Smoothies can be a great choice if they help you lose weight because any extra pounds that you are carrying around may be raising your blood sugar levels. Still, it can be harder to lose weight drinking smoothies than eating whole foods. Smoothies can quickly become high-calorie, and they are faster to drink than, say, munching your way through a green salad, some chicken, and an apple.

Keep the following tips in mind if you plan to use smoothies for weight loss.

  • The smoothie should be the meal or snack, not a beverage that accompanies your meal or snack.
  • The calorie count should be about 300 to 500 for a meal or 100 to 200 calories for a snack.
  • Include protein and fiber to make your smoothie more filling and longer-lasting.

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The Best 10 Delicious Diabetic Smoothie Recipes

For a long time, people living with diabetes didnt get to enjoy many delicious options due to diet restrictions.But not anymore.Today, Im giving you my best 10 smoothie recipes especially crafted for diabetics. They are ideal for you, whether you are a type 1 or type 2 diabetic.My parents are diabetic and most of my extended family has diabetes too.We had to learn to live with it, and weve found smoothies to be a great solution provided we chose the right ingredients, as Ill show you here.

Fighting Diabetes Type 2 ?

Ive gotten several enthusiastic recommendations from followers who tried the Reverse Diabetes Today program.Note: its now on a special 50% off promo, so grab it while the promo is still up.

Its important that through my experience, youll have a helpful new tool to live a wholesome life. You can now develop a meal plan with diabetic smoothies being a part of your everyday diet.My mother used to complain that her meals were boring. She would skip meals everyday, which caused her agony, as her blood sugar levels would decrease so rapidly.And now, with these smoothies, shes always looking forward to her meal times. Her sugar levels are stable and shes never been happier.

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Potential Ways Green Smoothies Benefit Diabetics

10 Diabetic Smoothie Recipes (Low Carb)

I cant precisely tell you exactly what it is about green smoothies that lower abnormal blood sugar in certain individuals with type 2 diabetes.

I dont believe that there is a specific fruit or vegetable combination that does the trick. Instead, a daily green smoothie kicks off a chain-reaction of lifestyle changes that reduce or eliminate the factors that exacerbate the disease, and reverses the condition in some individuals.

The top three benefits of green smoothies for type 2 diabetes are:

1 Weight Loss: Excess weight is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Those who lose weight through diet and exercise are often able to reverse and effectively manage their diabetes. Green smoothies are a potent weight loss strategy that boosts fruit and vegetable intake.

2 Energy to Exercise: Exercise is another method that is known to reduce the symptoms and severity of diabetes. The overwhelming majority of those Ive interviewed who drink green smoothies report having more energy and exercising. Green smoothies are fitness food!

3 Healthier Diet Overall: Green smoothies are a step toward a diet and lifestyle overhaul that inevitably follows. The overwhelming majority of people Ive interviewed who drink green smoothies on a regular basis also consume much less processed foods. Their diet evolves in a direction of plant-based, lower calorie, higher nutrition, health-supporting.

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How Green Smoothies Have Helped My Readers With Diabetes

I have collected countless testimonies from readers who have told me about how green smoothies have benefited their diabetic condition. I have heard from people who no longer need anti-diabetes medication, and who have brought their high blood sugar into the normal range!

One of the most striking green smoothie success stories I received was from a reader named Charles from Michigan. He shared his amazing story with me:

I lost a total of 35 pounds in 11 weeks. My doctor has discontinued ALL of my medications for high blood pressure, and I am no longer taking ANY insulin for my type 2 diabetes. I also have WAY more energy, I sleep better, and I am much more focused at work.

And then there was Allan from California. He wrote that: As a type 2 diabetic, improving my blood sugar numbers was a top priority. Since I began incorporating green smoothies into my lifestyle, my blood sugar numbers are excellent. My A1C number is currently 6.0 as opposed to a high of 7.5 . My fasting numbers are around 100 upon waking up each morning and fluctuate throughout the day based on what I eat. These current numbers reflect readings after having had my medication dose cut in half.

He continued by saying, I have lost 40 pounds.

Two other stories Ive published came from two women who were pre-diabetic and taking Metformin . A reader from Utah named Cara was able to cut back on Metformin. She shared her transformation with me:

Mango Coconut Green Smoothie

Mango is my favorite fruit of all time, so naturally, I had to include a recipe that showcased its tropical flavors. This isnt a selfish endeavor, though. Mango helps regulate blood glucose levels a lot like cinnamon, so it makes sense to add it to your green smoothie. The healthy fats in coconut also provide lasting support to your brain and heart, both of which get a bit of abuse with diabetes. Give it a try, you will love it!

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Ten Smoothies For Diabetes

Low Sugar Strawberry Smoothie: This smoothie has less than 10 grams of sugar, making it particularly good for diabetics.

Bloody Mary Smoothie: This smoothie, sans alcohol, is low in both sugar and carbs, but high in nutrients.

Kale and Coconut Oil Smoothie: This unique smoothie is full of healthy veggies

Fat Burning Green Tea and Vegetable Smoothie: This is one of our most popular smoothies, especially with dieters. It is also very low in sugar and carbs, making it perfect for diabetics.

Nutty Goji Barry and Chard Smoothie: This smoothie is a bit higher in carbs and sugar, but also contains nutrients from the chard that can help stabilize blood sugar.

Kiwi Pineapple Smoothie: This fruity drink is a bit lower in sugar than many fruit smoothies. But is a bit higher on the glycemic index.

Green Protein Machine Nutribullet Blast: This green smoothie is very low in sugar and high in nutrients.

Cucumber Cooler: This is another low sugar smoothie. It is very refreshing.

Gingered Carrot and Apple Smoothie: This is a lower calorie smoothie made with lower sugar ingredients.

Pear and Apple Smoothie: They say and apple a day keeps the doctor away!

How To Incorporate Smoothies In Your Diet As A Diabetic

Are Smoothies Fruits Healthy for Diabetics

The specifics of adhering to a healthy diabetic diet will vary depending on your specific condition. However, there are some standard tips that we can offer. In patients with Type 1 Diabetes, counting carbs is essential for keeping blood glucose levels regulated as insulin dosage will be dependent upon your consumption. For those with Type 2 diabetes, blood sugar regulation can be achieved by maintaining or achieving a healthy weight and reducing your intake of simple sugars and sugary beverages while focusing on consuming adequate fiber, protein, and fat..

The best way to ensure that your diet is composed of healthy ingredients is to cut back on processed, sugary foods where possible. Homemade smoothies can be a great way to replace an unhealthy drink with a fresh beverage filled with healthy carbs and natural sugars. By using smoothies as a replacement for unhealthy snacks, you will ensure that you get the energy you need while ensuring that youre not compromising your health.

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Avocado Cherry And Almond Milk Smoothie:

This recipe has cherries, one of my favorite seasonal fruits. Cherries are good for you, and provide a wide variety of dietary benefits, including adding fiber to your diet, and 16% of daily Vitamin C. There is no fat, and no salt in cherries. They provide just 90 calories and 22 grams of carbohydrates per cup. A half cup serving is usually an ample amount when added with the other ingredients in this smoothie. Avocado may seem to be an unlikely pairing with cherries, but you will be pleasantly surprised at the taste. Avocados are good for you, but they are very high in fat content. Therefore, portion size with avocado is important.

They provide some fiber, vitamin K, folate, and pantothenic acid. There are 21 grams of fat, with only 15% in the saturated fat category, so avocados are mostly made up of good fats. There are 12 grams of carbohydrates, and a high potassium level, though avocados are low in salt. Added in small amounts to the diet, avocados are a source of good fats to increase HDL, or good cholesterol. You will also add a half a cup of fresh blueberries, and a half cup of almond milk to this smoothie. Yum!It is recipe # 5 here:

Potential Downsides Of Smoothies For Diabetes

Everything has downsides particularly smoothies.

This comes down to the fact that smoothies can be made with almost any combination of ingredients.

Theoretically, you could make a smoothie with lollies and chocolate if you really wanted

With that in mind, lets look at some of the potential issues with smoothies:

  • Not all smoothies are low in sugar. You could make a banana, date and honey smoothie with coconut water, which could send your blood sugar levels skyrocketing!
  • Not all smoothies are high in fibre. Given fibres benefits for steadying blood sugar levels, this could be a problem when combined with high sugar ingredients.
  • Smoothies may not contain high-protein ingredients that can also help with balancing blood sugars.
  • When you purchase a smoothie from a cafe or smoothie bar, you may not know the quantity of the ingredients used. This means you dont know what impact it might have on your blood sugar levels.

If you are going to drink smoothies, its best to make your own, so you know what is going into the smoothie.

When purchasing a pre-made smoothie at somewhere like Boost Juice, ask about the ingredients and nutritional information before choosing which is best for your needs.

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Smoothies For Nutrition In Diabetes

Another reason to choose smoothies is when they deliver blood sugar-lowering foods and nutrients that you otherwise would not get. Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are prime examples because of their fiber, antioxidants, and magnesium. If you are not a fan of eating them in salads, you can get the goods without the taste by blending them into smoothies.

These are some other superfoods and blood sugar-lowering nutrients that you can get from smoothies if you choose.

  • Blueberries and strawberries.
  • Beta-carotene from carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin.
  • Omega-3 and omega-9 fats from flax, avocado, and peanut and nut butters.
  • Calcium from almond milk, soy milk, yogurt, or tofu.
  • Antioxidants and fiber from almost any healthy plant food: vegetables, fruit, nuts, and whole grains such as oats.

Is Strawberry Good For Diabetes

Healthy Natural Fruit &  Green Smoothie Recipes

People with diabetes often aim to eat foods with a low glycemic load, including low-glycemic fruits. Strawberries fall into this category, as the fruit doesnt quickly raise glucose levels. You can eat them without worrying about a blood sugar spike.

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Skip The Canned Fruit

Canned fruits and those cute little fruit cocktail cups may be convenient and inexpensive, but they aren’t so good for you.

“Those canned in heavy or light syrup are not an ideal choice for persons with diabetes,” says Kim Rose, RD and a certified diabetes care and education specialist. “This is because syrup-laden fruits contain added sugar that may be too much for the body to handle.”

The Perfect Breakfast Diabetic Smoothie Recipe

There are always so many breakfast choices. I chose to go with almonds and cocoa smoothie. This is a perfect recipe because to begin with, its really tasty.Secondly, cocoa is known for its cholesterol reducing properties, ideal as you try losing weight. If you have diabetes type 2, cocoa reduces your resistance to insulin which keeps your blood sugar in check.I love almonds. You can extract almond milk, which is my preferred method or buy the ready made unsweetened almond milk.Green tea powder combines with the other ingredients to create a superfood.> > Searching for some breakfast smoothie choices? Check out some of these breakfast smoothie recipes< <

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A Word On The Glycemic Index

The glycemic index is a scale that provides insight into how quickly a food source will raise blood glucose levels after eating .

Foods that are high on the glycemic index will spike blood glucose quickly, often resulting in a blood glucose crash as well.

Foods that have a low GI level, will often cause our post-meal sugar to rise more slowly.

This causes us to feel more stable in energy over time.

High-fiber carbohydrates are digested and absorbed more slowly.

This means, they cause our blood glucose to rise gradually and they are low on the glycemic index.

Further, you can combine foods together to produce a meal that is lower on the index.

Foods that are high in protein, fat, and fiber will lower the total glycemic index of the meal.

Thus, adding these to your meal or snack can benefit blood sugar levels significantly!

High glycemic index foods can contribute to increased inflammation levels and chronic diseases over time.

High glycemic foods play a role in glucose metabolism by raising blood glucose and decreasing insulin sensitivity over time.

The Benefits Of Smoothies For Diabetes

Strawberry mango smoothies are really good for type 2 diabetes!!! I-Healthy

First, lets look at the benefits of smoothies when it comes to diabetes.

Smoothies may be:

  • A simple way to boost your intake of nutrient-dense wholefoods
  • A way to help retain all of the fibre of its ingredients, which means steadier blood sugar levels
  • Low GI, thanks to the fibre content and any protein and healthy fat sources added
  • A good source of antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory nutrients

Want to experience all of these benefits?

The best smoothies for someone with diabetes are those based on wholefoods such as wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

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Here Are 10 Fruits And Vegetables For Diabetes That Are Ideal Because They Pack A Slew Of Health Benefits While Helping To Regulate Your Blood Sugar

When eating fruits and vegetables, remember that fresh and raw is best whenever possible, although baking and steaming will also help retain nutrients. And if you think that fresh fruits and vegetables are mainly grown in the summer months, you might be surprised to know that there are several produce options that are available year-round in Canada.

Plain Greek Yogurt Cottage Cheese Or Silken Tofu

Adding Greek yogurt or cottage cheese to your smoothie is a simple way to add 10 to 20 grams of protein to your cup, says Rumsey. Protein is key to slowing down digestion and helping you feel full and satiated. Add 4- to 6-ounces of Greek yogurt or a half-cup of cottage cheese. People who follow a dairy-free diet can add silken tofu instead.

The perfect blend: ½ cup Greek yogurt or silken tofu, ½ cup water, ¼ cucumber, 1 cup baby spinach, ½ pear, 1 kiwi, ¼ Tbsp. honey

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Blueberry And Almond Butter

  • Fiber: 8.5 grams

Why its great:

This smoothie contains a variety of macronutrients, with the seeds and almond milk/butter adding high amounts of both protein and fat. Similarly to the first smoothie we reviewed, youll notice that the calories and total carbs in this smoothie are a little higher than some of the others, making it better suited as a meal replacement than a snack.

Blueberries are an exceptional source of antioxidants that you need for a healthy, functioning body. In fact, these antioxidants fight disease. This yummy fruit also contains important vitamins and fiber, all while having a relatively low glycemic index. This berry is truly a superfood for diabetics and non-diabetics alike.

The addition of flax and chia seeds make this smoothie even more beneficial. Flax seeds are an extraordinary food for controlling diabetes. These seeds can improve insulin sensitivity and help you to manage your blood sugar levels.

Chia seeds, on the other hand, are very rich in antioxidants, along with omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, and magnesium. All of these can help to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Just a few chia seeds thrown into your smoothie will dramatically boost your daily intake of fiber, so its definitely worth investing in these miracle seeds! This is without a doubt one of the best smoothies for diabetics.

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