What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition involving an alteration of your body’s metabolism where insulin is not produced in adequate quantities. Due to this, a high glucose level is present in the blood. In this situation, the islets cells of the body are attacked by its immune system. This response of the body is entirely involuntary.
With less insulin, glucose is not directly absorbed into the body. As the production of insulin decreases, glucose cannot be broken down into smaller molecules. Thus, the body’s cells cannot receive enough energy to carry out daily functions. The consumption of carbohydrates or sugar can prove dangerous. It may also lead to life-threatening conditions.
Food alternatives for healthy snacking
For people with diabetes, doctors often recommend consuming food that has low quantities of sugar in it. At the same time, you also need multiple small meals.
One excellent food option is sugar-free biscuits. These tasty biscuits are full of proteins. A pack of these biscuits is easy to carry and comes in handy between meals. They are also readily available in various flavors, such as nuts, honey, coconut and chocolate. Many of these biscuits contain naturally obtained sweeteners from plant extracts.
Why switch to sugar-free biscuits?
Sugar-free biscuits are not only tasty but highly beneficial for people with diabetes. They help provide a healthier and nourished body and keep the stomach full. They can be a great addition to people undergoing GDM treatment as they satisfy the need for small meals. Here are some of the health benefits they offer:
Sweet but without the sugar
Consuming regular sugar is not ideal for people with diabetes. Therefore, they must constantly be in search of healthy alternatives. Sugar-free biscuits use sweeteners other than sugar, such as artificial or plant-sourced sweeteners.
GDM treatment
GDM stands for gestational diabetes mellitus. Frequent meals in small proportions are essential for GDM treatment. As these biscuits are healthier than their normal counterparts, they are perfect to be included in the daily meal plan suited for GDM treatment.
Rich and nutritional value
Sugar-free biscuits generally have a high amount of fibre including both soluble and insoluble fibres. Apart from fibres, many varieties are also rich in vitamin B which helps decrease the level of homocysteine in the body.
Improving the defence mechanism of the body
Antioxidants play a vital role in improving the overall immunity of an individual. Since these biscuits contain antioxidants, they help reduce the risk of several potential diseases and infections. They help the body gain immunity against various heart conditions and cancers.
Provides better digestion
As there are significant changes in the diet plans of people with diabetes, digestion is always a big question. People with diabetes face ongoing concerns such as diarrhoea and constipation as the breakdown of food is not proper. This is where sugar-free biscuits come into the picture. Their high-fibre content improves digestion in people with diabetes.
Supports a healthy heart
Since the blood glucose levels in an individual with diabetes are always on the run, the heart must constantly compensate for the same. Therefore, it puts frequent pressure and load on the muscles and causes disturbance and blood circulation. This is why people with diabetes must avoid food products with high cholesterol levels. Cholesterol causes the arterial walls of the heart to become rigid and narrow. Due to these factors, people with diabetes generally are on the radar for heart diseases. Many sugar-free biscuits are designed for people with diabetes and boast low-fat content, making them the perfect snack option.
What is sugar alcohol, and how is it different?
Sugar alcohols are often used along with artificial sweetening agents to provide the necessary taste. These products help control normal sugar level in human body as only a part of it is digested and absorbed, whereas the rest remains fermenting in the intestinal tract. This causes all kinds of gastrointestinal issues such as bloating and even diarrhoea.
Sugar alcohol can significantly benefit you if you have diabetes. However, you must avoid this product if you have irritable bowel syndrome or an upset stomach.
Additional tips for people with diabetes
Having diabetes is generally a result of chronic lifestyle conditions. Prevention of type 2 diabetes is easy if taken care of in the earlier stages. Here are some additional tips that can come in handy:
- Rather than one-time large meals, have frequent smaller-portion meals.
- A balanced diet will ensure that an individual gets all the necessary nutrition.
- It is essential to analyse the consumption of carbohydrate intake carefully, especially if you’re undergoing GDM treatment.
- Individuals must reduce or avoid sugar consumption as per the severity of diabetes.
- Maintaining records of blood sugar levels is essential.
- Medications must be consumed on time.
- Daily exercise and weight management are a must.
- Keep yourself hydrated.
- Add more fruits and vegetables to your meals.
Finally, the last word
People with diabetes often suffer for a lifetime. This is because they do not focus on proper diet, exercise and the importance of a schedule. Small snacks, such as sugar-free biscuits, can help maintain blood sugar levels. Sugar-free biscuits are an excellent food alternative for every person with diabetes. They are easy to carry and have great nutritional value. Most importantly, they are healthy and incredibly delicious.
