One in eight adults around the world has diabetes, according to the latest data provided by The Diabetes Atlas. These adults have cravings and personal food choices like others.
Chocolates are one of the most favourite things one can crave for. A person with diabetes can also enjoy eating chocolate, but balance is the key.
They are allowed to eat a small amount of chocolate once or twice a week but not daily. This article will answer all your queries about eating chocolate while suffering from diabetes.
What to Keep in Mind while Choosing Chocolate? If you are a Diabetic Person
You need to be very careful while choosing the right type of chocolate. Try to read the nutritional facts on the chocolate packet’s back. The amount of sugar, fats, and cocoa are some important things to consider.
Look for those having the least amount of sugar and better look for sugar-free ones.
As far as fats are concerned, the amount of saturated and trans fats should be as less as possible because trans fats lead to various complications such as CVDs, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesteremia. Finally, the more cocoa is present, the fewer fats are there, and the better it is for you.
Large cocoa particles in some dark chocolates are better than smaller ones as they do not spike instantly e up your blood sugar levels.
How Much Is Chocolate Too Much For You?
Now the question arises about how small amount can a diabetic person eat. Well, the answer is simple. You should limit sweets as much as possible.
According to the latest research eating one ounce of dark chocolate is allowed for people with diabetes. Eating 25-30 grams of dark chocolate provides various benefits of CVD risk prevention and enhances antioxidant activity inside your body that protects against cancer and other diseases.
On the other hand, if you exceed the allowed amount and eat too much chocolate, it may lead to some serious consequences. Eating more than 200 grams of chocolate per day increases cardiovascular disease risk. Also, cause hyperglycemic condition.
A diabetic person needs to be extra careful about the quantity while eating chocolate.
What’s The Right Time To Eat Chocolate
For a diabetic person, the timings of eating are very important as they are taking insulin doses and need to be careful about their blood glucose levels. The best time to eat chocolate is after exercise, as your insulin is highly activated.
Furthermore, there are fewer chances of an instant blood sugar spike after a workout. You can take dark chocolate as an energy bar eaten after a workout. You can also add chocolate syrup to your morning snack in limited quantities.
Eating dark chocolate at bedtime is not recommended by dietitians worldwide as it leads to weight gain and other obesity-related problems.
Should I Opt for Unsweetened Chocolates
Unsweetened or sugar-free chocolates contain 70-80 per cent solid cocoa particles and do not raise blood glucose levels instantly. Dark chocolate has a low glycemic index, and according to the latest studies, it is confirmed that it plays a role in the prevention of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD).
If you have type II diabetes, then unsweetened dark chocolates are a good option to choose from.
Can a person with diabetes eat a piece of chocolate cake?
A diabetic person can eat chocolate cake in small amounts as cocoa powder in chocolate provide beneficial effects of CVD risk prevention and act as a free radical scavenger. However, exceeding the recommended amount, i.e., 25-30 grams, can cause detrimental health effects.
Does chocolate increase blood sugar levels quickly?
Chocolate has a low glycemic index (23), and thus it does not raise blood sugar levels instantaneously.
Is coffee good for people with diabetes?
Both caffeinated and non-caffeinated coffee do not directly affect blood glucose levels. A diabetic person can drink coffee unless it is unsweetened.
What happens if a person with type 2 diabetes eats chocolate cake?
Chocolate cake is not fully restricted for people with diabetes. A person with diabetes can occasionally eat chocolate cake if insulin administration and blood glucose levels are monitored carefully. But you should avoid eating chocolate daily.
Conclusion
A diabetic person can eat chocolate, and there is nothing to worry about. A century ago, a diabetic person had to stick to a monotonous low-carb, high-protein, and sugar-restricted diet. But today, with the advancement in the biomedical and technology field, a person with diabetes can eat an almost similar diet to a normal person with a little more variety and complex carbohydrate foods added to his meals. Regarding sweets and chocolates, he needs to be more aware of the type and amount of chocolate he chooses. By considering glycemic index and weightage, they can eat almost every food. Insulin and medications available nowadays are able enough to cope with these little changes in a person’s blood glucose levels.
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