I'm insulin resistant, can I still eat things with sugar in them like chocolate and fruits? If I'm insulin resistant and I dont take in any sugar, isn't that bad too? Doesn't my body need sugar too?
C J - If you're insulin resistant, your body won't respond normally to sugar (ie by producing enough insulin to process it from your bloodsteam). You can eat sugar, but if you eat it regularly, or in large quantities, you will get diabetes. I would therefore describe eating sugar when you're insulin resistant as a Bad Idea. The best thing to do is avoid refined sugar altogether and switch to a low GI, high fibre diet.
Andrew McG. - Sugar (or more specifically, sucrose, fructose, glucose and the likes) are vital to sustain life. So to answer your second question: yes, it is bad if you completely stop your sugar intake. However, since you are insulin resistant, taking in sugars can be a complex endeavour. Many food sources contain sugar in the form of carbohydrates (like rice, bread etc). You can still eat these products (and several high-sugar products like chocolate and fruits), however you *will* have to monitor it carefully. Taking in high amounts of sugar at once is a bad idea. Spreading it throughout the day would be better. Furthermore, there are many ways to control your bloodglucoselevels, for example by insulin injections. Your doctor (I assume you are seeing a doctor for your insulin resistance) will be able to provide you with more information specific for your situation.
TheOrange Evil - A common dietary myth is that you need to eat sugar in order to live. While you need blood glucose to live, you do not have to eat sugar to get blood glucose. Not only do complex carbohydrates like grains supply your body with glucose, but protein also converts to glucose in the blood. You also can get glucose from non-starchy vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower. That means that a diet rich in protein and vegetables is more than adequate. What's more, when you are on a low-carbohydrate diet for long enough, your liver produces ketone bodies through the breakdown of fatty acids. Ketone bodies serve as an alternate energy source to glucose and can feed the brain and the heart. Ketosis is perfectly safe and can even aid in weight loss. There's no reason to rely on sugary foods if blood glucose is your concern.
You can certainly have fruit and chocolate, but because you have IR, you are at risk of developing diabetes. High-carbohydrate foods require more insulin than low-carbohydrate foods to maintain normal blood sugar, and so it's a good idea to limit your intake of both. When you eat fruit, keep your portions small and choose among low-sugar options, like raspberries. When you eat chocolate, pick options that are high in cocoa and low in sugar, like Lindt 85%. I believe four large squares are only 5 grams of sugar, whereas most other chocolates contain a lot of sugar.
You don't have to completely deprive yourself, but it's about portion control and choosing healthier options. Finally, the bulk of your diet should be made up of proteins, fats, and veggies.
I'm insulin resistant, can I still eat things with sugar in them like chocolate and fruits? If I'm insulin resistant and I dont take in any sugar, isn't that bad too? Doesn't my body need sugar too?
EmilyMichelle95 - No you can't have sugar.
ReplyDeleteC J - If you're insulin resistant, your body won't respond normally to sugar (ie by producing enough insulin to process it from your bloodsteam). You can eat sugar, but if you eat it regularly, or in large quantities, you will get diabetes. I would therefore describe eating sugar when you're insulin resistant as a Bad Idea. The best thing to do is avoid refined sugar altogether and switch to a low GI, high fibre diet.
ReplyDeleteAndrew McG. - Sugar (or more specifically, sucrose, fructose, glucose and the likes) are vital to sustain life. So to answer your second question: yes, it is bad if you completely stop your sugar intake.
ReplyDeleteHowever, since you are insulin resistant, taking in sugars can be a complex endeavour. Many food sources contain sugar in the form of carbohydrates (like rice, bread etc).
You can still eat these products (and several high-sugar products like chocolate and fruits), however you *will* have to monitor it carefully. Taking in high amounts of sugar at once is a bad idea. Spreading it throughout the day would be better.
Furthermore, there are many ways to control your bloodglucoselevels, for example by insulin injections. Your doctor (I assume you are seeing a doctor for your insulin resistance) will be able to provide you with more information specific for your situation.
TheOrange Evil - A common dietary myth is that you need to eat sugar in order to live. While you need blood glucose to live, you do not have to eat sugar to get blood glucose. Not only do complex carbohydrates like grains supply your body with glucose, but protein also converts to glucose in the blood. You also can get glucose from non-starchy vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower. That means that a diet rich in protein and vegetables is more than adequate. What's more, when you are on a low-carbohydrate diet for long enough, your liver produces ketone bodies through the breakdown of fatty acids. Ketone bodies serve as an alternate energy source to glucose and can feed the brain and the heart. Ketosis is perfectly safe and can even aid in weight loss. There's no reason to rely on sugary foods if blood glucose is your concern.
ReplyDeleteYou can certainly have fruit and chocolate, but because you have IR, you are at risk of developing diabetes. High-carbohydrate foods require more insulin than low-carbohydrate foods to maintain normal blood sugar, and so it's a good idea to limit your intake of both. When you eat fruit, keep your portions small and choose among low-sugar options, like raspberries. When you eat chocolate, pick options that are high in cocoa and low in sugar, like Lindt 85%. I believe four large squares are only 5 grams of sugar, whereas most other chocolates contain a lot of sugar.
You don't have to completely deprive yourself, but it's about portion control and choosing healthier options. Finally, the bulk of your diet should be made up of proteins, fats, and veggies.