Why does Chinese food cause my blood sugar to spike?
I have Type 2 diabetes and I see when I eat noodles manchoorian and any other chinese food my blood sugar level shoots up. What is the reason and how I can control it?
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Answers ( 2 )
Thе white rice аlоnе iѕ еnоugh tо spike glucose. 1/3 cup оf white rice iѕ equivalent tо eating оnе slice оf white bread, аnd it iѕ vеrу easy tо eat 1 оr mоrе cups. Mоѕt sauces hаvе significant amounts оf oil, salt and/or sugar whiсh саn аlѕо increase blood sugar levels. Depending оn whаt уоu order аnd hоw muсh уоu eat, it iѕ nоt unheard оf tо reach a 1000 calorie meal. Whеn ordering out, don’t bе shy tо аѕk whаt ingredients аrе in еасh dish. Yоur safest bеt iѕ tо eat grilled, unrefined, fresh аѕ роѕѕiblе foods. Bе ѕurе уоu аrе exercising, mауbе mоrе оn thоѕе days уоu wаnt tо indulge a bit more.
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Eating safely with Type 2 diabetes has nothing to do with the ethnic origin of the food you're eating and everything to do with the nutritional content and profile of the foods you choose. Blood sugar management depends on the glycemic index of the foods you eat, and your ability to avoid blood sugar spikes. That means focusing on taking in complex carbohydrates rather than simple sugars, and considering the overall intake rather than just single elements at a meal. So how you order or cook makes all the difference. Complex carbohydrates like brown rice and vegetables can definitely be part of a diet that is safe for Type 2 diabetes. And those are very often found at Chinese restaurants in many places around the world. Some Chinese dishes can even be found with whole grain noodles (and certainly can be made that way at home).
It's worth noting that the specific dish you mention isn't actually Chinese in origin, so I assume you're not talking about actual Chinese food in China, nor food inspired by authentic Chinese cuisine. Manchurian Noodles is not a Chinese dish at all. It's a Western dish inspired loosely by several Asian cuisines. And there isn't a standard preparation of the dish, so it's hard to guess what's in the version you're referring to. But the likelihood is that the sauce contains sugar, and the noodles are not whole grain. You should be able to create a more blood sugar friendly version of the dish by using whole grain noodles, and a less sugary sauce. If you're eating in a restaurant, this is harder to control, as you don't know what ingredients they're using. But at home, there are definitely ways to create Chinese-inspired dishes that meet the needs of a diabetic diet. And the noodles can be paired with other nutrient-dense foods that help prevent blood sugar spikes. Other considerations when eating noodles are making sure they are boiled or baked rather than fried, and moderating your portion size.
NOTE: Because I am not a practicing physician, this post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. But more importantly, you should always consult with a physician or registered dietician (an actual RD, not an unlicensed "nutritionist") to help managed your Type 2 diabetes. They will be able to offer you more detailed suggestions on which "Chinese" foods you can safely eat at a restaurant, and how to prepare them at home as well.