Is Cream Of Wheat Good For Diabetes?

Everyone’s morning starts with waking up and looking for a quick, simple, yet satisfying meal. At that time, cream of wheat emerged as a perfect solution that is delicious and quickly fills you up as well. It’s suitable for children and adults. 

But is cream of wheat good for diabetes?

People with diabetes need to be aware of foods that can control their blood sugar levels in addition to a balanced diet. For example, Cream of Wheat is unsuitable for a person with diabetes due to its high carb content. But adding unsweetened yogurt as protein, nuts, chia seeds, almonds as fat and many more ingredients balances the carb in it. On the other hand, protein and fat help normalize the blood sugar level and make the food suitable for the person. So basically, a diabetic person can include cream of wheat as a daily meal but needs some moderation.

This article will explore the glycemic index facts, benefits, drawbacks, and impacts of cream of wheat on diabetes. Additionally, we will share how you can make it suitable to eat for a diabetic person. Stay tuned with us.

Is Cream of Wheat Good for Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, a balanced diet is essential. Additionally, knowing the core ingredients of the food is equally important when you’re going to consume it. For instance, by exploring the ingredients of cream of wheat, it will be easy to decide whether it is compatible with a diabetic person. Here is a table listing the ingredients and the quantity based on 1 cup of cereal. Take a look.

Source: creamofwheat.com

Carbohydrates in Cream of Wheat and The Impacts on Diabetes

As we can see, the cream of wheat is a high-carb product. So for that reason, you may ask, does cream of wheat raise blood sugar? 

Carbs raise blood sugar levels as they convert directly into glucose, which can cause dangerous health conditions like hyperglycemia. However, diabetic people can include it in their diet plan by adding fats and proteins. 

Is The Fiber in Cream of Wheat Good for People with Diabetes?

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that if people with diabetes ate 50 grams of fiber daily, particularly soluble fiber, they could stabilize their glucose levels quickly. 

The cream of wheat contains low fiber, though; you can add apples, avocados, carrots, and broccoli, which are excellent sources of fiber.  Another option is whole grain cream of wheat. This contains more fiber (5g) than the regular cream of wheat (instant) (1g fiber). 

Does The Glycemic Level of Cream Wheat Affect Diabetes? 

The glycemic index is a measurement chart that shows how food affects someone’s sugar level; so, is cream of wheat low glycemic? Not at all. Cream of wheat’s GI score is 59–69, and the glycemic load is 17. That is relatively high. Indeed, the smaller the glycemic index, the less impact it has on your blood sugar. 

According to Sydney University’s research, three glycemic load ratings are:

• 10 or lower – Low Glycemic load
• 11 – 19 – Medium Glycemic load
• 20 or higher – High Glycemic load

Source: freedomfromdiabetes.org

However, Everyday nut consumption, like almonds, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes by improving glucose levels and lipid metabolism. So a little amount of cream of wheat with lots of nuts and fruits can balance the GI score as well as make the meal eligible for Diabetes. 

How Does Cream of Wheat Impact on Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

Cream of Wheat is a brand of sarina, which is made from semolina, and in addition, there are a lot more ingredients in it. So when you have diabetes, it’s important to consider the impacts of the following elements in cream of wheat on type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Let’s find them out.

• The starch in the cream of wheat is a complex type of carbohydrate. During digestion, it breaks down into glucose, which increases blood sugar levels.
• The element riboflavin in the cream of wheat may help in the reduction of diabetes.
• Niacin, which is found in small amounts in cream of wheat, can affect glucose and insulin metabolism by worsening glucose control and insulin sensitivity, which can result in hyperglycemia. That affects people with both types of diabetes, but especially type 2 diabetes.
• Folate reduces the chance of stroke incidence in people with high fasting glucose or diabetes.
• A higher serum concentration of zinc improves the sensitivity of insulin and also reduces chronic hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes.

All these elements and the other vitamins have different impacts on diabetes. Some are beneficial, and some are risky. However, you can make your cream of wheat healthy and eligible by adding extra elements. 

How to Eat Cream of Wheat for Diabetes?

As the cream of wheat contains high carb and GI levels, it’s not suitable for Diabetes. But by including some elements and following some tips, a person with Diabetes can enjoy the meal. 

Follow the below tips, include the elements, and add a new food to the diet chart.

Fruits: Fruits like apples and bananas can make the meal more delicious and are suitable for diabetes moderation. Besides that, you can add slices of berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. These are high in fiber and low in calories. That can add great nutritional value. This quick meal helps lower cholesterol and absorb sugar in the body. Moreover, reduce the risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease) in type 2 diabetes and lower blood sugar.

Protein: small amounts of unsweetened yogurt or peanut butter will add a creamy texture to the bowl. These are excellent protein supplements. Protein tends to slow down carbohydrate absorption, which helps balance blood sugar levels.

Fat: adding fat is another good idea. Sprinkle a tablespoon of chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or seeds like chia seeds or flax seeds in a bowl of cream of wheat. You can also serve the meal with chopped avocado, which is also a good source of fat. These provide not only fats but also fiber and protein. This helps slow the digestion of carbs and reduce the impact of insulin.

Almond milk: unsweetened almond milk will give a creamy shot into your mouth and make a suitable option to control blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon powder: sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon. The role of cinnamon in Diabetes is phenomenal. Cinnamon may help lower blood sugar and imitate the effects of insulin. Moreover, increasing insulin sensitivity makes insulin more efficient at moving sugar into cells. 

Serve hot cream in a wheat bowl: serving hot rather than cold is good. Hot cereal tends to lower blood sugar, whereas cold cereal tends to raise blood sugar.

Cream of Wheat- Whole Grain

Whole grain cream of wheat has different formulas with different packaging. Among them, whole grain cream of wheat is perfect for diabetes as it contains 0 sugar and more fiber than the normal cream of wheat.

Source: creamofwheat.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Cream of Wheat is best for Diabetes

Cream of Wheat is a simple dish made by combining porridge mix with milk and heating in a saucepan. If you have diabetes, you should add plain water instead of milk. Choose the cream of wheat – whole grain as it contains high fiber content. 

Does Cream of Wheat contain sugar?

Cream of wheat is a product that is available in many flavors. Each of the flavors contains different amounts of sugar. Some have no sugar, some include sugar, nuts, spices, salt, cheese, maple syrup, fruit, or butter. 

Is Cream of Wheat healthier than oatmeal for diabetics patients?

No. Dieticians advise eating cereals with a high fiber content of 5 grams or more. This is because fiber helps to control blood sugar levels and reduces the body’s absorption of sugar. 

The one with Diabetes should go for the oatmeal as oats have a Gi of 55. On the other hand, cream of wheat has a Gi of 66, which is higher than oatmeal. In comparison to other grains, oatmeal also includes more protein and fiber. Moreover, the soluble fiber beta-glucan and the antioxidants are also found in oats.

Conclusion

Overall, through this article, you can now find out if it is beneficial for diabetes or not. 

Cream of Wheat undoubtedly contains so much nutritious value. Nevertheless, give first priority to your regular dietitians or health professionals. Consult with them first then decide if you can consume this delicious morning meal.