Insulin resistance diet for diabetes/ type 1

Insulin resistance diet

Physical activity and an insulin resistance diet is the only way to control sugar levels. Insulin diabetes is also known as Pre-diabetic which further leads to diabetes. This can be treatable so you must take care of your health with control diet, physical activity, and regular blood sugar level checks.

Insulin is a hormone that creates in Pancreas which helps maintain sugar levels. Cells get energized when insulin transfers the sugar from the blood to cells.

What is insulin resistance?


Insulin is a hormone that comes from the pancreas which controls sugar levels in our bodies. When our cells become resistant to insulin, they don’t respond as effectively to its signals. As a result, sugar levels in the blood increase because the cells can’t properly absorb and utilize the sugar.

To compensate for this resistance, the pancreas tries to produce more insulin. It does its best to meet the body’s needs and reduce sugar levels.

However, there is a limit to how much insulin the pancreas can produce. When the demand for insulin surpasses its capacity, it can lead to diabetes.

Research indicates that about one in three people in the USA have some level of insulin resistance, which puts them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time.

In simpler terms, when cells don’t respond well to insulin, sugar levels increase, and the pancreas works harder to produce more insulin. But if the pancreas can’t keep up with the body’s needs, it can result in diabetes.

insulin resistance diet

In inulin resistance diet there are four factors that mostly balance the sugar level

  1. Choose low-glycemic index food and check low glycemic load
  2. Balanced Micronutrients
  3. Plenty of water
  4. A proper portion of food.

Glycemic shows how easily glucose(sugar) can be absorbed in the blood. High glycemic index food increases the sugar level rapidly. Always try to add food having below 50 Glycemic indexes with the right proportion.

It does not mean you can eat as much as Low Glycemic Index food. These foods come under an Insulin resistance diet.

Glycemic load – It tells about your food proportion.

Glycemic Load = (Glycemic Index value × Carbohydrate according to weight in percentage) / 100

Example – When you eat100 grams of White rice its glycemic load will be

  • GI of white rice is about 72
  • carbohydrate value according to weight – 28 in 100gm
  • Glycemic load – (72*28)/100 = 20.16

Here 100 grams of white rice is a higher Glycemic load, Which increases the sugar level.

Parameters for Glycemic Load for food proportion. you must check your food Glycemic load to prepare a proper insulin-resistance diet.

  • 0-10 – Low
  • 11-19 – Medium
  • 20 or above – High

Breakfast food for diabetes patient

We discuss the most common food that is used in the morning

Food NameApprox. Glycemic Index value (0-100) Must choose which are below 50Approx. Glycemic load value(0-20)
Must be below 19
Upama(Semolina Porridge)5917
Poha(Flattened rice)7617
Idli (Steamed rice)859
Dosa (Fermented Rice)6117
Bread (White or whole wheat)75-8010-15
Paratha (Stuffed flatbread)6722
Chapati5210
Dhokla (Steamed fermented chickpea snack)3310
Uttapam (Fermented rice and lentil pancake)7722
Rava (Semolina) dosa7826
Ragi (Millet)5012
Moong dal pancake( Mung bean pancake)488
Vegetable upma5314
Besan Pancake(Gram flour pancake)338
Daliya (Cracked wheat porridge)5511
Plain Yogurt112
Eggs00
Avocado151
Peanut Butter (Unsweetened)142
Whole grain Cereal (bran flakes)5517
Pancakes6724
English Muffins4514
Granola5521
cornflakes (unsweetened)9323
Scrambles eggs00
cottge cheese10cottage cheese
Almond butter00
food items with their GI and GL value.

Fruits

These are the list of common fruit with their GI value and GL value for 100 grams.

  • Most important- Low GI value fruit or Food does not tell you can do as much as possible. You have to control the proportion which helps to manage Glycemic Load value.
FruitsApprox. Glycemic Index value (0-100) (100gm)
Must choose which are below 50
Approx. Glycemic load value(0-20)(100gm)
Must be below 19
Gauva122
Papaya585
Pomegranate539
Watermellon724
Kiwi534
Muskmelon644
Pear384
Cherries223
Blackberries254
Peaches425
Plums243
Grapefruit253
Mango518
Banana5112
Apple396
Orange435
Fruit and its GI and GL value

Insulin resistance diet for Lunch and Dinner

Most intake elements for Lunch and dinner are cereals and whole grains with some salad and vegetables. Here is the list of food with their GI and GL value of 100-gram weight.

General Food for LunchApprox. Glycemic Index value (0-100) (100gm)
Must choose which are below 50
Approx. Glycemic load value(0-20) (100 gm)
Must be below 19
Grilled chicken00
Baked Salmon00
Steamed Broccoli101
Brown rice5017
Sweet potato7022
Caesar Salad (Without Croutons)00
DAL 103
Roti (Wheat)6217
Vegetable Biriyani (Basmati rice) 5826
Palak Panner153
Lentin soup295
Roasted turkey breast00
Channa massala339
Tandori chicken00
Sweet Corn6020
Rajma246
Panner tikka (Grilled cottage cheese skewers)192

whole grains that come under insulin resistance diet

List of whole grains in insulin resistance diet

GrainsApprox. Glycemic Index value (0-100) (100gm)
Must choose which are below 50
Approx. Glycemic load value(0-20) (100 gm)
Must be below 19
Brown rice5017
Whole wheat flour(ATTA)6230
Oats5513
Ragi(Finger Millet) 7114
Sorghum (Jowar)6223
Pearl Millet6712
Quinoa5313
Barley2812
Buckwheat5410
Whole wheat pasta3713
Peart Millet (Bajara)6712
Cornmeal (Maize)5219
Farro4518
Sattu (Roasted gram flour)449
Chickpea flour (Besan)3410
Sprouted grain flourvery lowvery low
Pearl Barley (Jau)2812

What is the best way to cook for a diabetic?

There is a certain way to cook where you can maintain the protein and starch, in such a way that it can not be easily digestible. The more you cook starch will melt and it increases the sugar level.

  • Always cook food 60 to 70 percent.
  • Don’t eat ripen fruit. The fruit must be slightly ripened.
  • Try roasted or broiled food rather than fried.
  • Use less oil.
  • Try to eat chicken without skin and cut extra fat.
  • Eat whole grain.
  • Try to avoid Added sugar from your daily life

These are the factors that help to prepare an insulin resistance diet.

Conclusion


An insulin resistance diet focuses on managing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity in individuals. The key principles of this diet include consuming whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while minimizing added sugars, processed ingredients, and unhealthy fats.

 Portion control, balanced meals, and a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats help stabilize blood sugar levels. Including fiber-rich foods, limiting added sugars and processed foods, and incorporating healthy fats can enhance insulin sensitivity.

Regular meals and snacks throughout the day are important for maintaining consistent blood sugar levels. Consulting with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional is recommended to receive personalized recommendations based on individual needs.

This is a condition where you can reverse your diabetes. It takes time but you can reverse this condition by physical workout and by consuming a balanced insulin resistance diet.

A Mechanical Engineer who loves to research and update new Science and Technology updates.

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