Once a person is diagnosed with diabetes, they are recommended to cut down on complex carbohydrates, which are found in foods like rice and potatoes. Does that mean a diabetic can never eat potatoes or sweet potatoes? Well, they can! We know you'd be a little confused by this statement. Let us read more to clear our facts.

Impact of potatoes on blood sugar levels

Potatoes are among the most popularly consumed food in the human diet. Not only are they delectable but also can be made in a variety of ways to suit everyone's taste. They are rich in vitamins B, and C, and minerals like potassium, phosphorus and manganese. Potatoes also provide a considerable level of fibre in the diet. However, since they are a form of complex carbohydrates, they can spike your blood glucose levels when consumed in high quantities or in fried forms.

In general, potatoes are regarded as foods with a high glycaemic index. The glucose index (GI) is a measure that evaluates how quickly that particular food raises your blood sugar levels. However, the GI of potatoes changes with different cooking techniques:

• Fried potato has a GI of 95
• Baked potato has a GI of 85
• Boiled potato has a GI of 50
• Sweet potatoes have a GI of 61

This shows that a diabetic can consume boiled and sweet potatoes as their GI is low and would not affect their blood sugar levels severely.

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How should diabetics consume potatoes?

Patients with diabetes need to be mindful of how much and what form of carbohydrates they consume at each meal in general. Ways in which diabetics can consume potatoes include:

• Potato salad: This is the best way to include potatoes in the diet as cooled boiled potatoes contain resistant starch, which lowers the GI of the potatoes and makes them ideal for diabetic patients.
• Skinned potatoes: Eating potatoes with skin provides fibre to the diet and also helps also in regulating the blood sugar level.
• Adding cheese to potatoes: Potatoes' GI is decreased when they are combined with cheese (fat), preventing a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.

Boiled potatoes or cooled potato salads in low portion sizes are considered safe for consumption, while deep-fried forms such as French fries and chips should be avoided completely.

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FAQs

Q. Can diabetic patients eat sweet potatoes?

As a moderate GI food (46-61), sweet potatoes are beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes. The high magnesium and fibre content of sweet potatoes can help to reduce insulin resistance and stabilise blood sugar levels. Therefore, diabetic patients can consume sweet potatoes in moderation.

Q. Is it okay for diabetic patients to eat potato chips?

Deep-fried potato chips have the highest GI score and contain unhealthy fats, which makes them harmful to diabetic patients.

Q. What is the ideal way for diabetic patients to eat potatoes?

The best way to eat normal and sweet potatoes if you have diabetes is to boil them first, then let them cool before eating. Potatoes can be eaten in salads or in reasonable portions as a cooked vegetable along with other fat-rich food. However, due to their high GI score, diabetic patients must consume potatoes with caution.

Q. What is the best variety of potatoes for diabetic patients?

For people with diabetes, waxy potatoes or Carisma potatoes are the best options because they contain less starch. The typical Russet variety of potatoes has a high GI and is very starchy.

Q. What is the alternative option to potatoes for diabetic patients?

The safe alternative or more diabetic-friendly vegetables for diabetic patients are sweet potatoes, carrots, green vegetables, beetroot and broccoli.

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You can also try the Apollo 24|7 Diabetes Self-Management Tool to log your sugar values, track patterns, know all about food nutrition and more.