Easy Quinoa Recipes for Diabetics to Help Keep Blood Sugar Levels Stable
Managing blood sugar is the name of the game for those with diabetes. The problem is that eating causes blood sugar spikes, which can make management difficult. Quinoa is one of the few foods that helps. Easy quinoa recipes for diabetics make managing blood sugar easier.
Diabetes can make eating a bit more challenging; these easy quinoa recipes for diabetics can give us all the reprieve we need. Social security numbers, phone numbers, and driver’s license numbers are all numbers we should know.
Diabetics have blood sugar numbers to worry about on top of everything else. The human body is a well-oiled machine that never stops working. A great example of that work is blood sugar spikes.
Blood sugar levels spike immediately after eating, no matter what kind of food it is. The American Diabetes Association says blood sugar spikes after eating because the body breaks food down.
The added sugars, sugars and carbs are all sent straight to the blood, increasing the sugar levels. However, whole grains may be able to help slow things down.
This is not to say that people with diabetes can eat all of the candy they want so long as they start with whole grains. Instead, it means there are some foods that diabetics can eat that won’t cause scares or help them keep healthy blood sugar levels.
One of those whole grains is quinoa, which can help manage blood sugar and provide diabetics with much more. The best way to reap the benefits quinoa offers to diabetics is to try some easy quinoa recipes for diabetics to sprinkle into their nutrition plan.
Easy Quinoa Recipes for Diabetics to Help Keep Blood Sugar Levels Stable
Can a diabetic eat quinoa? Absolutely; in fact, it should be encouraged by nutritionists for diabetics. Quinoa is a whole grain that can be used as a side or main dish.
It has a nutty flavor that dulls a bit when you cook it in chicken broth or water. It is also known to be beneficial for diabetics because it is high in fiber and protein, low in carbs, and has a glycemic index of about 53.
This is a low glycemic index, meaning it slows digestion, which is what helps diabetics avoid blood sugar spikes. The bitter taste goes very well in a quinoa Greek salad.
The quinoa must be cooked first and added to the salad once it cools. The easiest way to make a recipe like this is to have some cooked quinoa ready in the fridge to add to a salad.
Of course, quinoa can also be enjoyed warm, like in a quinoa with roasted vegetables & tahini recipe.
Is Quinoa Better than Rice for Diabetics?
Easy quinoa recipes for diabetics help manage blood sugar thanks to the fiber content. The fiber in quinoa slows the digestion process, which means there simply can’t be a blood sugar spike directly after a meal.
Some people think that rice could do the same because it is also a grain. However, rice has no fiber at all. This means that quinoa is definitely better than rice for diabetics.
Many popular rice recipes can be turned into a quinoa recipe. Chicken and rice? How about chicken and quinoa with broccoli? Cooking quinoa is also very similar to cooking rice.
Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer, add to water, and boil until tender. Then, you can add the quinoa to almost anything, like a charred shrimp, pesto, and quinoa bowl.
These fluffy quinoa recipes have the dietary fiber content diabetics want to manage their blood glucose levels. They also serve as a healthy alternative to rice recipes thanks to the health benefits of quinoa. Another benefit is protein.
What is the Best Grain for Diabetics?
Diabetics’ overall health is very reliant on the diabetic diet. Diabetics want to keep an eye on sugar intake but also carbohydrate intake. Grains are fairly safe, but the top three grains for diabetics are farro, oats, and quinoa.
Rice and brown rice don’t even make the list. A cup of quinoa is far healthier than a cup of rice. A one-pan Mexican Quinoa recipe for diabetics is perfect. The combination of quinoa, black beans, avocado, and tomatoes is like a burst of nutrition for diabetics.
Diabetics can also try a seafood dish like salmon quinoa bake. These options are perfect as dinners with white rice substitutes that are also a good source of protein.
Can I Eat Quinoa Every Day?
Easy quinoa recipes for diabetics can make eating quinoa daily even easier. Want stuffed peppers but not the rice? How about trading out the rice for the complete protein of quinoa?
Quinoa stuffed peppers are a great recipe for diabetics. We can easily toss together a healthy quinoa veggie stir fry recipe at home as well. The question is, can we eat it every day? The answer is yes.
Quinoa is not something we should be worried about overeating. In fact, a study out of Harvard Public School of Health found that adding a bowl of quinoa to our daily diets had no side effects and increased nutrition intake.
It is an excellent choice for diabetics to add quinoa to their daily diets. The nutritional value alone is worth it. We can add to that that it is a versatile ingredient that can provide us with main courses, sides, and even grainy breakfast cereals.
There truly is no reason to avoid quinoa the next time you’re at the grocery store, meal planning in your head, or shopping for a healthy option.
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