Best Bread for Diabetics (5) min

Best Bread for Diabetics

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Updated on March 26, 2024

Reviewed by Nouran Ashraf

Diabetes affects the effectiveness of the body’s use of insulin, and high blood sugar causes several health problems for diabetics. In addition to that, diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure yet. Instead, there is only treatment for its symptoms and to prevent future complications.

Not all types of bread are suitable for people with diabetes, as bread made from processed grains causes a sharp rise in blood sugar shortly after eating. These persistent increases in blood sugar ultimately lead to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Eating healthy foods helps maintain blood sugar levels within the normal range, which is an essential part of controlling diabetes. Controlling blood sugar levels reduces the risk of complications associated with diabetes, and a nutritionist can help develop a plan to eat healthy foods appropriate for each case. Some things must be taken into consideration, including the weight of the diabetic patient, the medications they use, lifestyle, and other health problems, if any.

Barley Bread for Diabetics

Best Bread for Diabetics min
Barley Bread

Bread is a basic food for many people in many countries around the world, and it often contains a high percentage of carbohydrates, so people with diabetes may wonder whether they can eat it. In fact, white flour bread is not the ideal choice for diabetics, but other types are more suitable. The most important of which is barley bread.

Whole-grain barley bread is a good source of fibre, especially soluble fibre known as beta-glucan, which helps in reducing the pace of absorbing sugar in the digestive system.

It may also help control blood sugar levels, reduce sugar levels in insulin, and reduce the risk of diabetes for those who do not have it. The barley fibre promotes the digestive system’s regular functioning and prevents constipation.

It may also help in the weight loss process because it acts as a bloating agent in the digestive system, which gives the person a feeling of satiety for more extended periods, and this reduces calorie consumption during the day, in addition to minimising any complications associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes.

However, some people with diabetes may be asked to avoid barley bread in their diet due to the following reasons:

  1. Whole grain barley contains gluten, so it is not suitable for anyone with celiac conditions or allergies to wheat.
  2. Fructans, a type of fermentable fibre found in barley, can contribute to bloating and gas in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive diseases.
  3. Barley has qualities that may alter blood sugar levels. Thus, diabetics should exercise caution while consuming it.

Barley Bread Recipe

Best Bread for Diabetics (1) min (1)
Barley Bread Recipe

The recipe for making barley bread for diabetics is straightforward. Try our following recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups of raw wheat flour.
  • 2 cups (300 grams) of barley.
  • ⅓ cup (50 grams) of bran.
  • 1 ½ tablespoons of instant yeast.
  • ½ teaspoon of salt.
  • Lukewarm water, as needed.

How to prepare

  1. Place the barley in a wide bowl, add water to it, and leave it for at least four hours until it becomes soft and absorbs the water.
  2. Put the yeast in a cup, add warm water, and leave it until it becomes effective and dissolves in the water.
  3. Transfer the barley into a wide bowl, and add the yeast, wheat flour, and bran with a small pinch of salt.
  4. Knead the ingredients together and add water during the kneading process in appropriate quantities and gradually while constantly rubbing the ingredients between the palms of the hands until the ingredients are well mixed.
  5. Cover the dough and place it in a warm place for half an hour until it ferments and doubles in size.
  6. Cut the dough into suitable, medium-sized circular pieces, using a little bran so that the dough pieces do not stick to the hands.
  7. Place all the dough pieces on a plate, cover them with a cloth, and leave them aside in a clean place for half an hour until they ferment well.
  8. Preheat the oven, prepare it for baking, and adjust its temperature to medium heat.
  9. Roll out the dough pieces until they take the desired loaf shape, and place the loaf in the oven until it puffs up to be fully cooked.

Whole Wheat Bread for Diabetics

Best Bread for Diabetics (2) min
Varieties of whole wheat bread

Whole wheat bread is a bread made from the whole grain of wheat, that is, not subject to processing. The wheat grain naturally consists of 3 parts: the endosperm, which is the central part of the grain, followed by the bran, which is the outer layer and is considered rich in insoluble dietary fibre and then the wheat germ.

Bread made from whole wheat is a healthy choice not only for people with diabetes but for all family members. Because it still retains all the nutrients and dietary fibre concentrated in the bran layer and wheat germ, it helps control blood sugar levels. It also has a low glycemic index, which means that it does not affect blood glucose levels as quickly as loaves of bread made from refined grains.

Some studies have also shown that healthy diets rich in whole grain foods such as whole wheat bread can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but the method or mechanism is not yet fully understood.

Studies also indicate that foods containing whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, might be more filling than their refined counterparts because they have fibre, which helps reduce the desire to snack between meals and thus control blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as weight, all of which are linked to diabetes.

The fibre, nutrients, and phytochemicals found in whole wheat bread may help improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, as well as slow food absorption and prevent high blood sugar.

Although whole grains and foods made from them, such as whole wheat bread, are a healthy choice, you should not eat an unlimited amount of them. The amount you can eat depends on how well you manage and control your blood sugar because, after all, whole-grain bread is a source of carbohydrates.

Generally, eating three servings of whole grains every day is preferable, and it is always recommended to consult a doctor or nutritionist to receive advice and create an appropriate eating schedule or plan that helps better control blood sugar levels.

Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

Best Bread for Diabetics

Below are the ingredients and methods for preparing the recipe for whole wheat bread for diabetes. This recipe serves 8 people and takes around 15 minutes for preparation.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of whole wheat flour.
  • 2 tablespoons of corn flour (optional).
  • 1 teaspoon of oil.
  • A pinch of salt.

How to prepare

  1. Mix all ingredients in a deep bowl using warm water until you form a smooth dough.
  2. Divide the dough into ten equal pieces and roll out each piece to a thickness of 150 mm in the shape of a circle.
  3. Heat the pan, then fry each piece until it turns light brown on both sides.

Whole Wheat Bread with Oats Recipe

Below are the ingredients and methods for preparing the recipe for whole wheat bread with oats. This recipe serves 6 people and takes around 20 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of ground oats.
  • 1 cup of whole wheat flour.
  • 1 teaspoon of yeast.
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar.
  • 1 teaspoon of salt.
  • 3/4 cup of warm water.
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil.

How to prepare

  1. Mix all dry ingredients, including oats, wheat flour, yeast, sugar, and salt, until thoroughly combined.
  2. Add the oil and water to the dry mixture, then mix slowly with a non-stick spatula for 2 minutes.
  3. Cover the dough and leave for 45 minutes.
  4. Transfer the dough to a non-stick surface, shape it into an oval shape, divide it into six equal pieces, then spread it into a circle.
  5. Heat the pan over low heat, then add the dough, cover and leave for 1 to 2 minutes, then turn and leave for another minute, and repeat the step for each piece.

Oatmeal Bread for Diabetics

Best Bread for Diabetics (3) min
Oatmeal Bread

Oatmeal bread is considered one of the healthy baked goods when following a weight-loss or diabetic diet. Oatmeal contributes to giving the body energy at a lower rate than carbohydrates, and it also contributes to reducing insulin resistance.

Oat bread is an excellent alternative to many breakfast options, such as cereals with added sugar and pancakes. It also provides many health benefits for people with diabetes despite being a high source of carbohydrates.

The glycemic index is well known as a tool for calculating the rise in blood sugar that results from eating. Low glycemic index foods are ideal for preserving stable blood sugar levels. They need more time to raise blood sugar, unlike other foods with a high glycemic index. The glycemic index of oat bread is thought to be under 55. This is a low value, so it is appropriate for diabetics.

After learning that oatmeal bread is suitable for diabetics, which many people with this disease have confirmed, you must be careful not to choose types of oatmeal bread made from instant oatmeal or containing added sugar. This is because it causes high blood sugar.

Oatmeal bread may also be unsuitable for people with diabetes subject to gastroparesis, as the fibre found in oats slows down the stomach-emptying process.

Oatmeal Bread Recipe

Best Bread for Diabetics (4)
Oatmeal Bread

Oatmeal can be prepared at home by grinding oats in a spice grinder or purchasing ready-made oatmeal powder. This recipe is enough for 8 people and needs around 15 minutes to get ready.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup oatmeal.
  • ¼ of a teaspoon of salt.
  • 1 cup hot water.

How to prepare

  1. Put the oats in a deep bowl, put salt on top of the oats, and stir the ingredients together well.
  2. After that, begin to pour in hot water, constantly stirring but gradually.
  3. You may only need three-quarters of a cup of water, depending on the thickness of the dough.
  4. After adding the water, stir the oats with the spoon, then start kneading with your hands for 5 minutes until the dough is completely mixed.
  5. Cover the dough well and let it rest for 15 minutes, and then it is ready to bake.
  6. After 15 minutes, remove the lid from the dough, stretch it completely, and cut it into 5 or 6 equal-sized pieces.
  7. Sprinkle a little oatmeal on the table, then begin to roll each ball of oatmeal dough into the shape of a medium-sized loaf of bread.
  8. Repeat the matter with the rest of the oatmeal dough. The thinner the loaf, the better because we did not use yeast.
  9. After finishing, prepare a non-stick frying pan and place it on medium heat.
  10. Place a loaf of oats in the frying pan and leave it for 3-5 minutes, depending on the temperature, then turn it over to the other side and remove it from the frying pan when it is done.
  11. Repeat the same steps with the rest of the oat bread, and it is ready to be served.

The Ideal Amount of Bread for Diabetics Per Day

  1. A sandwich made with a slice of bread that has 15 grams of carbohydrates should be chosen by a person with diabetes.
  2. Diabetic patients must learn to estimate how much carbs they consume on a daily basis because limiting carbohydrate intake aids in blood sugar control.
  3. Diets that permit up to 26% of daily calories from carbohydrates can also benefit people with diabetes.
  4. You should schedule regular, balanced meals to prevent high or low blood sugar levels.
  5. It can be beneficial to divide your daily carbohydrate intake into your three meals.
  6. Although it may take some work, eating well will help you manage your diabetes without the use of prescription drugs.

Tips for Diabetics When Consuming Bread

=You’re probably thinking about adding bread to your diet, but you should read these tips beforehand. We recommend that you add protein and healthy fats to bread, such as eggs, nut butter, or Greek yoghurt. You can add cinnamon to bread, as it is rich in anti-inflammatory agents, in addition to its role in improving insulin sensitivity. Don’t add dried fruit or sweeteners to the meal.

The ideal day for a diabetic patient begins with the ideal breakfast, which will consist of s, skimmed milk, and a salad consisting of tomatoes and cucumbers.

While waiting, it is possible to drink green tea. The lunch meal will consist of a medium-sized salad dish, fish or poultry, either grilled, boiled, or steamed, and an essential part of the meal will be a small plate of grilled or steamed vegetables. Dinner will consist of a salad dish and fat-free yoghurt.

Staying away from all harmful foods and adhering to the diets designated for diabetics will bring you to a very important stage, which is stabilising your blood sugar levels, and will avoid all diabetic attacks for a calm and stable life.

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