Anyone with diabetes can eat tapioca, as long as its consumption is moderate and forms part of a healthy, varied and balanced diet, suitable for diabetics, and guided by a nutritionist, in addition to practicing physical exercise and taking antidiabetic medications prescribed by an endocrinologist.
This is because tapioca is a starch gum, extracted from cassava, being a source of carbohydrates and having a high glycemic index, and when consumed in excess, it can increase blood glucose and make blood glucose control difficult. Understand what the glycemic index is.
Therefore, ideally, tapioca consumption should be guided by a nutritionist who can indicate the right amount for consumption on an individual basis and which does not cause uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Can diabetics eat tapioca?
Diabetics can eat tapioca in moderation and in the quantities recommended by the nutritionist, according to the type of diabetes and nutritional needs of each person, to avoid an imbalance in blood glucose levels. See the benefits of tapioca.
If you have diabetes and want to see a nutritionist, make an appointment in the nearest region:
How much can a diabetic consume?
The amount of tapioca that diabetics can eat varies according to each person’s nutritional needs and health status, and in general, it is recommended to consume 15 g to 30 g of carbohydrate per meal.
To give you an idea, each 1 tablespoon full of tapioca starch has 10 g of carbohydrates, so a tapioca prepared with 2 tablespoons of the starch would have 20 g of carbohydrates.
Furthermore, the amount of tapioca to be consumed must also take into account the type of filling used, as fillings with a lot of sugar or fat, chocolate or honey, for example, can cause a spike in blood sugar and promote uncontrolled diabetes. See a list of foods that are not recommended for diabetics.
Tips for consuming tapioca in diabetes
Some tips for consuming tapioca in diabetes safely are:
- Add fiber to your preparationsuch as oat bran or chia seeds, sesame or flaxseed, for example, as they reduce the speed of carbohydrate absorption, avoiding the glycemic peak;
- Fill with lean proteinssuch as eggs, chicken and white cheese;
- Eat tapioca preferably after physical activityso that its consumption does not have much impact on blood sugar levels;
- Consume tapioca as a carbohydrate replacement in a meallike bread, for example.
You can also prepare another variation of tapioca, such as crepioca, which is an option that contains protein and uses a small amount of tapioca gum. See some crepioca recipes.
In addition, you must follow the eating plan created by the nutritionist, with the amounts of carbohydrates per meal individually, taking into account the person’s nutritional needs, blood sugar levels and general health status.
It is also important to follow the endocrinologist’s recommendations regarding physical exercise and the use of antidiabetic medications, as well as carrying out blood glucose tests regularly and/or checking capillary blood glucose levels. Learn how to check capillary blood glucose correctly.
