Can a diabetic eat Barley?
Barley is one of the best grains a diabetic can eat. Being rich in dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins etc. barley offers many health benefits. So, a diabetic can eat barley as part of diabetic meals.
Does barley cause weight gain or raise blood sugar levels?
No, barley does not raise blood sugar levels significantly. On the other hand, including barley in diabetic meal plan can help regulate blood sugar levels in diabetics. As a matter of fact, 100 gm of barley has about 4 gm fibre and just over 120 calories. This makes barley one of the best carbohydrates for weight loss.
Which barley is the best to eat?
Whole grain barley or barley groats is the best form of barley offering maximum health benefits. Whole grain barley has just the outer husk removed. The outer husk is mostly indigestible so, we are better off discarding it anyways. Also known as hulled barley, the whole grain barley is very chewy and rich in fibre. Whole grain barley takes longer to cook and digest than pearl barley.
Pearl barley is more commonly available and is kind of more processed than whole grain barley. The more polished version of barley, pearl barley is not as healthful as the whole grain barley as it has its bran too removed.
What happens when you eat barley regularly?
When a diabetic regularly eats barley as part of diabetic meals, one can notice improvement in blood sugar levels and other diabetic symptoms. The main reason for the beneficial effect of barley is the abundant dietary fibre available in barley. High amounts of dietary fibre in whole grain barley promotes slow digestion, cuts hunger cravings and regulates blood sugar levels. This as a result helps weight loss and prevents cardiovascular complications too. People at risk of type 2 diabetes can reduce the risk by including whole grain barley in diet.
