A diet for diabetes is not only about watching what you eat – it should also include healthy organic drinks to help maintain sugar levels.
What do orange juice, green tea, black tea, and plain water have in common? If you answered that they are important parts of a diet for diabetes, then you are correct! Can you believe it? Who would have thought that merely watching what you drink could make a difference in your blood sugar levels? When you include organic drinks in your diet for diabetes, it can offer tremendous benefits. As most of us know, one of the signals for diabetic testing is increased thirst (along with increased appetite, frequent urination, constant tiredness and several other factors). Consequently, once you know you have diabetes, it is important to include healthy drinks as part of your diet for diabetes.
To Drink or Not to Drink
In the world of liquid pleasures, imagination is the limit. However, for the diabetic (as well as others who choose to make good nutrition a way of life), it is important to avoid drinks that are high in carbohydrates, sugars and alcohol. We have all heard that we should drink at least 64 ounces (eight cups) of water per day. And this is even more important in a diet for diabetes. Since water has no calories, sugar or unnecessary ingredients, it is clearly the best of all organic drinks. It is important to note that it is okay to add a bit of taste such as the flavor packets, a dash of citrus or even a splash of flavored syrup – just be sure that your flavoring is sugar-free.
If you are a fan of fruit juice, it is crucial that you do not drink too much of it. Contrary to popular opinion, juice is not as healthy as you may think. This is because it is high in carbohydrates (albeit natural) and low in fiber, which means it ranks rather high on the glycemic index. Consequently, if you are craving a fruity taste, then opt for eating a ripe apple or orange rather than adding excessive fruit juice as part of your diet for diabetes.
One recent surprise in the world of organic drinks is that green tea, black tea and oolong tea (a combination of black and green) are excellent additions to a diet for diabetes. In 2006, retrospective cohort studies were done in 25 cities across Japan. The test subjects consisted of 17,414 people (6,727 men and 10,686 women) between the ages of 40 and 65. During the five-year study, it was noted that those who drank at least six cups of tea a week were 33 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. In addition, women who drank the tea had a lower risk than men for developing diabetes.
Recently, a study was performed at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). It involved a three-month study performed on diabetic mice and found that including green tea in a diet for diabetes not only lowered blood sugar, but also inhibited diabetic cataracts. So, how much green tea should you consume? Based on studies, a 143-pound person will need to drink 4.5 8-ounce cups of tea each day.
To drink or not to drink… it’s up to you. But taking the time to eat right and make healthy drink choices can make a big difference. Bottoms up!
Tags: diabetes diet, diabetic diet, diet for diabetes, diets for diabetics, manage diabetes, organic drinks
