Diabetic, but can't do without eating rice! What should I do? (Query)

If you are a diabetic and eat rice, then follow these tips to control your blood glucose level.

Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : June 30, 2016 5:30 PM IST

My mother is diabetic but she can t do without eating rice. She has been eating rice for lunch and dinner and rotis for breakfast. Is this the reason why she is not able to control her diabetes? Is it true that diabetics should not eat rice at all? Please help.

The query is answered by Dr Akshat Chadha, Hope and Care clinic, Navi Mumbai.

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It is a common query that most people have about eating rice. You need not worry if you have been eating rice since a long time as it will not affect your blood glucose level as much as those who have started eating rice recently. There are also cases in which the blood glucose level has gone up even after eating rotis. However, as even a slight increase in glucose can wreak havoc for people with diabetes, it is advised to cut down the intake of starchy products like rice. In such cases, it is wise to replace it with foods containing complex carbohydrates like whole wheat, ragi, jowar and oats. Here is a sample diet plan diabetics can use for better blood sugar control.

Here are few expert tips that might help to control the blood glucose level.

If you can't do without having rice, then opt for brown rice instead of white rice as brown rice is rich in fibre and causes a slow release of glucose into the blood stream, thereby helping you control diabetes.
Reduce the portion size of rice and include more fresh vegetables along with a bowl of curd and dal in your meals. This is because adding vegetables and curd in your meals not only helps you keep your blood glucose in control but also helps in lowering the overall effect of sugar in the body.
Also, make sure that you reduce the intake of rice and increase the quantity of salad and curd in your meals so you do not end up feeling hungry after an hour as rice is quickly digested.
If you have been straining excess water from rice while cooking, then stop following this practice as it will cause more harm than good. As by doing so, you are getting rid of the vitamins and minerals from the rice while the starch in the rice will remain intact. Here are more unhealthy diet habits that diabetics assume are healthy.

Hence, eating small portions every few hours is better than having three large meals to keep your blood sugar in control. Also, read about healthy resolutions every diabetic should follow for a better life.