Are Smoothies Good for Diabetics?
Diabetics want to eat healthy, but often do not know how to start. While trying to be conscience about what you are eating and drinking, the education about what you are actually ingesting in real life is often unknown or ignored.
First let’s define the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Knowing your correct diagnosis will be essential for you to know how to move forward with your healthy lifestyle.
Type 1 diabetes has been diagnosed to over 200,000 people in the US alone. This is a chronic condition because the pancreas will produce little to no insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to allow glucose to enter cells and produce energy. The medical community does not have a cure for Type 1 diabetes, so you have to take insulin to manage your blood sugar, make healthy eating habits, and make healthy lifestyle choices. This is also known as a auto-immune disorder because it is unclear why someone gets Type 1 diabetes. Genetics and exposure to viruses and environmental factors are the only know causes.
Type 2 diabetes originates the same as Type 1. Your cells respond poorly to the insulin hormone and takes in less glucose. There is no known cure for Type 2 diabetes, but there are cases when incorporating exercise, and good drinking & eating habits can manage Type 2, but if blood sugar levels are not regulated only doing those things, additional medications or insulin therapy will be needed.
In short, what I gather is Type 1 diabetes has a unknown source, but labeled as a auto-immune disorder because no outside habits caused the problem. Type 2 is more self inflicted from drinking too much alcohol, eating too much processed, sweet, salty foods, zero to very little exercise habits, and not staying hydrated with water. Type 1 or Type 2 diagnosis, you will need to consult your doctor for your next steps. It will be up to you to take those steps seriously and do what you can to manage your diabetes from the inside out.
How does Insulin work? Insulin is a hormone generated from your pancreas and regulates how the body uses glucose (sugar). Sugar in the bloodstream triggers the pancreas to secret insulin. Insulin circulates in the bloodstream, enabling the glucose to enter your cells. When the glucose enters your cells the sugar in your bloodstream drops. When it drops the pancreas releases less insulin like a working machine. Glucose a main source of energy for cells that make up your muscles and other tissues. Where does glucose (sugar) come from? The two major sources is from food and your liver. Glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, there it enters cells with the help of the insulin hormone. Your liver stores and makes glucose. When the glucose levels are low, the liver breaks down stored glycogen into glucose to keep your glucose levels within a normal range.
Lets start with food and drink. This is where you need to pay attention to what you are eating and drinking every day. There are processed and refined sugars in almost every fast food, restaurants, alcohol, coffee & tea shops, and sweet desserts. Every time you go to any coffee shop, unless you order a coffee black no sugar, you are doing too much. Every time you go to a drive thru to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you are doing too much. Every time you go to a amusement park or Fair and eat funnel cakes, churros, dippin’ dots, you are doing too much. Every time you go to a ice cream shop, doughnut shop, cakes, cupcakes, pies, cookies, you are doing too much. Every time you drink alcohol, you are doing too much. All of these activities are most people’s day to day lifestyle choices. Of course you want a doughnut with your morning coffee. Of course I want a burger and fries for lunch. Of course I’m taking my date to a restaurant to have dinner. It would be weird if you didn’t do these things, Right?! Uh no. This is the step that most doctors do not explain in detail to their patients. Every thing you have been doing all your life has to change. Every habit you have wired in your brain needs to be re wired to new habits. Every norm you do in society needs to be re evaluated and structured around healthy habits only.
So what about smoothies? Smoothies are like any other product in the market. Yes a smoothie is supposed to be healthy, but you must research who you are getting that “healthy” smoothie from. The best way to ensure control over your food and drink is to make it yourself. You will have the power to make good choices for your body, mind, and well being. With that said, everyone does not have the time or skill set to make everything themselves. When you have to outsource your food and drink, choose wisely. Don’t go to Jamba Juice for a smoothie because their products are high on the Glycemic Index, meaning too much sugar! A lot of the fiber is removed from the foods, the serving size is too large, and most of the calories is from the fructose and sucrose. If you are diabetic and you are making your own smoothie or buying from a trusted business, be mindful and do not order fruit only smoothies. Pay attention to the size portion of the smoothie 10-16 oz per serving is enough. Drink smoothies that include fiber, protein, and healthy fat. So next time you order from your favorite smoothie business, look through the menu, ask questions and choose smoothie flavors that include dates, avocados, flax seed, nut butters, oats, and unsweetened non dairy products. Make good choices and you will live a happier diabetic life.