Is Sweet Potato Good for Diabetic Patients

If you are wondering why and how eating sweet potato is beneficial for diabetic patients, then the reason is that sweet potato is a low glycemic index (GI) vegetable. Foods that have a high glycemic index tend to raise blood sugar, and since the GI of sweet potatoes is much lower than that of white potatoes, it can help diabetics manage blood sugar levels better. Could

Apart from this, there are many reasons why diabetic patients can include sweet potatoes in their diet -

• Sweet potatoes contain a carotenoid called beta-carotene, which gives this root vegetable its bright orange color. In addition, sweet potato is also an excellent source of vitamin A, which helps in improving the health of the eyes. People who have diabetes have a risk of weakening their eyes and blindness. In this context too, the consumption of sweet potatoes is beneficial for patients with diabetes.
• Sweet potatoes also contain vitamin C, which strengthens the body's immune system, and improves our body's ability to fight diseases.
• Sweet potatoes also contain iron which helps red blood cells to make oxygen and transport nutrients to different parts of the body.
• Sweet potatoes, a plant-based source of protein, have been shown to keep you feeling full longer after eating, aid in weight loss, and increase insulin sensitivity.
• Apart from this, there is also a lot of fiber in sweet potato, which along with strengthening the digestive system, also helps in filling the stomach.

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Since sweet potatoes are also high in carbohydrates, they can increase blood sugar levels, but since they are also rich in fiber, fiber helps slow down the process of increasing blood sugar levels. Since excess of anything is bad, even if it is a healthy thing. In such a situation, diabetic patients should also consume sweet potatoes in limited quantities. Since sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, etc., you can include them in your diabetes diet but only in limited quantities.

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Sweet potatoes may be a good and healthy option for diabetic patients, but here you need to remember that this vegetable also contains carbohydrates. That's why it is important to know how much sweet potato to eat so that you can get its positive benefits. According to the US Department of Agriculture, diabetic patients should eat only half of a medium-sized sweet potato because it is equal to 15 grams of carbohydrates. However, portion sizes may vary from person to person, so diabetic patients should consult their doctor or dietician before consuming sweet potatoes.

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There is no doubt that sweet potato is a better and nutritionally rich option than white potatoes, yet you should consume it in limited quantities or else it can harm your blood glucose level. Some sweet potatoes are such that they are very big and that's why many times we eat more. Therefore, always choose sweet potatoes of medium size and also include other healthy foods in your daily diet.

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A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism in October 2011 reported that several cooking methods increase the glycemic index (GI) ranking of sweet potatoes. Baking and roasting are the two methods by which the GI level of sweet potatoes gets worse. After this comes the number of frying. In such a situation, it would be better to eat sweet potato only after boiling because by doing so its GI level remains very low. That's why diabetic patients should eat sweet potatoes after boiling them. Also, if you want, instead of removing the peel of sweet potato, you can eat it along with the peel so that there is no reduction in the fiber content.

Overall, sweet potato can be included in a healthy food plan for diabetic patients, but only if you consume them in limited quantities because it is rich in nutrients and also contains carbohydrates.

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Diabetes patients should take special care of themselves. Even a slight carelessness regarding what he is eating and drinking can prove to be costly. Therefore, if possible, a diabetic patient should make a diet plan for himself with the help of a dietician. Before eating sweet potatoes, one must take the advice of a dietitian. Along with this, yoga, meditation, and exercise must be done regularly.

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