Type 2 Diabetes - Are Whole Grain Oats Helpful in Controlling Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels?

According to a September 2016 report published in the journal Nutrients, dietary whole grain oats are helpful for lowering blood sugar, blood lipids, and weight in people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Investigators at Peking University in Beijing, China, divided the number of Type 2 diabetics into four groups...

• sixty participants received the usual care only,
• seventy-nine diabetics received a healthy low-fat, high-fiber diet,
• eighty of the diabetics received a healthy eating plan with 50-grams of oats instead of their usual cereal,
• seventy-nine received a healthy diet with 100-grams of oats instead of their usual cereal

After thirty days the following significant changes were seen in the different groups...

1. The "50-grams of oats group" compared to the healthy diet group...

• lower after-meal blood sugar readings,
• lower total blood cholesterol levels,
• lower low-density cholesterol (LDL or "bad" cholesterol), and
• lower blood fats.

2. The "100-grams of oats" group compared to the 50 grams group...

• a greater reduction in after-meal blood sugar levels than the 50-gram group,
• a more significant decrease in total cholesterol,
• a more significant reduction in insulin resistance,
• a more significant decrease in low-density cholesterol.

Among 298 overweight Type 2 diabetics, the 100-gram individuals had the highest weight loss after one year.

From these results, the researchers concluded there is a reason to recommend whole grain oats to people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Whole grains are the ones least processed. Rolled oats are somewhat processed but still whole. A half cup of uncooked whole grain oats, with about 300 calories, supplies the following percentage of the recommended daily requirements (RDAs) for...

• fiber: slows down carbohydrate absorption by 33%
• iron: necessary for building red blood cells - 20%
• calcium: builds bones - 4%
• thiamin: B vitamin, helps turn carbohydrates to energy - 40%
• riboflavin: B vitamin, red blood cell production - 6%
• niacin: B vitamin, helps digestive and nervous systems - 3%
• vitamin B6: builds red blood cells - 4%
• folate: B vitamin, builds red blood cells - 11%
• pantothenic acid: B vitamin, helps some enzymes - 10%

One cup of dried rolled oats becomes two cups when cooked in water. Boil a half cup of rolled oats in water and add some cinnamon for an even more anti-diabetic benefit. Add a little stevia, some blueberries or almonds, and you are all set for a good morning.

A quarter cup of soymilk fortified with vitamins A and D and calcium will provide the following percentage of the RDAs of...

• vitamin A: vision - 2%
• calcium: 2%
• iron: 1%
• vitamin D: builds bones - 6%
• thiamin: 1%
• riboflavin: 6%
• niacin: 1%
• vitamin B6: 1%
• folate: 1%
• vitamin B12: especially important for vegans, builds red blood cells - 8%
• pantothenic acid: 3%

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

Type 2 Diabetes - Four Vegetables To Add To Your Diabetic Treatment Diet

Along with fruit, vegetables are at the heart of a diabetes prevention or management plan. They will help you keep your weight in check and also protect against heart disease, cancer, and several other health problems. Are you struggling to eat your five to ten servings of vegetables each day? Most people struggle, so you are in good company. One reason many people fail to take in the number of fruits and vegetables they need to eat is simply due to boredom. If you turn to the same vegetables day after day, yet another serving of broccoli, it is no wonder you have become bored.
Liven up your diabetes management plan with a few fresh options that will change how you view this important food group! Here are four delicious vegetables to consider adding to your meal plan starting today...

1. Bok Choy. Bok choy is an incredibly healthy green leafy vegetable that is one of the best non-dairy sources of calcium you can eat, so is ideal for fostering strong bone growth and development.
As well, bok choy is also going to supply a powerful dose of antioxidants, helping to fend off free radical damage. Serve bok choy stir-fried with a little olive oil and garlic for a tasty side dish able to go with just about any meal.
2. Asparagus. Asparagus is the next can't-miss vegetable to include in your diabetes treatment plan. One significant aspect about asparagus is it will act as a natural diuretic in your body. Therefore it may help to rid any excess retained water or bloating you may be experiencing.
If you are feeling a little heavier than usual - perhaps you ate a salty meal and the salt intake has left you feeling bloated: asparagus can help. Asparagus is also low on the Glycemic Index, so is an excellent choice for keeping your blood sugar levels in check.
3. Shitake Mushrooms. Shitake mushrooms are another unusual vegetable to add into your diabetic eating plan. This mushroom variety offers a unique taste and works well in stir-fry's as well as in Asian soups. These mushrooms are also relatively high in protein as compared to other vegetables, so if you have issues in meeting your protein needs, shitake mushrooms are one vegetable to consider adding to your meal plan.

4. Cabbage. Last but not least, don't overlook cabbage. Cabbage is another leafy vegetable that offers serious cancer-fighting protection. The phytonutrient content of cabbage is incredibly high, so the one you will want to include in your protocol.
Cabbage is also relatively low in calories, so an easy add to just about any type of eating plan. Try it shredded and prepared into a healthy coleslaw or cooked in the form of cabbage rolls or cabbage soup. There are several possibilities.
So don't succumb to eating the same old boring vegetables day after day. Liven up your menu with any of these.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.
For nearly 25 years, Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.