Can Diabetics Eat Rice?

Many cultures use rice as a staple in their diet, and it is almost always white rice. If you order a burrito in a restaurant, you will probably get a substantial amount of rice in it. Indian foods are often served with rice, as in the case of dahl, a spicy type of lentil stew that is commonly served over rice. Many Chinese dishes also rely on rice as a major part of the meal from chicken fried rice to chop suey. Most Chinese carryout restaurants provide you with rice in its own little box.

What Kind of Rice Can Diabetics Eat?

Many people think that all rice is the same, but according to the American Diabetes Association, this is far from the truth. The only kinds of rice that
diabetics should eat are brown rice and wild rice. Both of these are whole-grain rice that contains wheat germ and bran. White rice has had these removed, making it much like white flour. Of course, portion control is also important to keeping your blood sugar level where it should be.

What difference does it make if you eat white rice instead of the brown type if they have about the same number of carbs? All types of rice will cause a person's blood glucose to increase, but when you choose whole-grain brown rice or wild rice, you are getting fiber, vitamins, and minerals that you do not get from white rice. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you eat a 1/3-cup serving of either brown or wild rice daily.

If you have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you are probably making many changes to your diet. By cutting down on the amount of rice that you eat with your meal, you are able to have more of the main dish instead if it consists of vegetables and a limited amount of carbohydrates. Brown rice or wild rice can be part of your meal plan when you limit the amount.

What Can a Diabetic Do When Dining Out?

You have probably noticed that most restaurants serve very large portions of food – larger than anyone should eat, diabetic or not. There is no reason to give up eating out as long as you are aware of how many carbs you are consuming. If you order a dish with the rice mixed in with other foods, this could be a problem because you cannot tell how much rice you are eating. Ordering rice on the side allows you to control the portion of this food that you eat.

You will want to try to order a balanced meal that contains protein, fat, and vegetables, along with a reasonable portion of carbs that will not cause problems for your glucose level. With so many delicious foods that are safe for you to eat, it might be better to pass up the buttered white rice and opt for steamed carrots or broccoli if brown rice or wild rice is not available.

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