| Blood sugar levels can be prevented from spiking... you | | | | body than other types of carbohydrates, such as fruit |
| already know that fiber can play a part in helping you | | | | juices or sweet desserts. Every day you should eat |
| to lower and maintain more stable blood sugar levels. | | | | between twenty and thirty-five grams of fiber, |
| One of the foods which has a boatload of fiber and is | | | | whether it comes from grains, beans, vegetables (and |
| allowed to have heart healthy package labeling from | | | | of course) oats! |
| the USDA,is oatmeal and oats. Oatmeal is a food that | | | | There are many ways to consume oats. Having |
| many adults remember from childhood breakfasts but | | | | oatmeal for breakfast can provide four grams of fiber. |
| have unfortunately eliminated from their diet as they | | | | You can add to that with an oatmeal bread sandwich |
| have grown up. | | | | for lunch. Oat bread is tasty and can have up to 6 |
| First Thing's First: Switch from Refined to Whole | | | | grams of fiber per serving. Some people don't like |
| Grains: | | | | bread with lots of seeds and nuts... and oatmeal bread |
| Overall, whole grains may be good for you but unlike | | | | with its smooth texture is the perfect option for a high |
| sugary cereals or pasta, they are just not very | | | | fiber bread option. |
| exciting. In fact, for some people whole-grain breads | | | | Benefits of Oatmeal: |
| and cereals often pale in contrast to other choices. | | | | Oatmeal bread and other oat foods can not only help |
| Many people grew up with white bread and have a | | | | diabetics by stabilizing blood sugar levels but can help |
| hard time changing from refined breads to whole-grain | | | | reduce "bad" cholesterol and raise "good" cholesterol |
| breads. But if you are serious about controlling your | | | | levels. This can aid in the prevention of heart attacks |
| type 2 diabetes you have to work some serious fiber | | | | and strokes. Most people who have type 2 diabetes |
| into your diet. | | | | die from heart problems, not diabetes itself. Oatmeal |
| If you think whole wheat, rye or barley are just a little | | | | can actually attach itself to the bad cholesterol and |
| too different or even too strongly flavored, the answer | | | | take it out of your blood vessels. |
| you may have been looking for is oatmeal and other | | | | Unlike refined grains, oatmeal has lots of vitamins and |
| oat products. They make: | | | | minerals, which research shows have a positive effect |
| - cereals | | | | on diabetes management. For example, oatmeal is |
| - breads | | | | unusually high in B-complex vitamins, calcium, vitamin A |
| - crackers | | | | and iron. |
| - snack bars | | | | The only way oatmeal can be harmful to you, is if you |
| - desserts and many other food items with oatmeal. | | | | eat too much at one sitting. Like all carbs, it needs to |
| Best of all, foods made with oatmeal often have | | | | be part of your overall goal of weight loss. Three |
| minimal amounts of fat and cholesterol. | | | | bowls of oatmeal as a snack should not be part of |
| Why Oat Fiber Matters: | | | | most people's plan! However, including oats into your |
| Foods high in fiber are particularly good for diabetics | | | | diet is one of the smartest moves you can make for |
| because they don't spike your blood sugar levels | | | | reversing diabetes. |
| quickly. They are processed more slowly by your | | | | |