Living with diabetes can be a challenging journey, but armed with the right knowledge and food choices, we can lead a fulfilling and healthy life.

Here are 4 options that offer very little nutritional benefit and may spike your blood sugars, making them not worth it.

Pop Corners

A Blood Sugar Bomb Masquerading as a Healthy Snack When it comes to pop corners, it’s difficult to find a single redeeming quality from a nutrient standpoint. These crispy snacks may claim to be "never fried," "low in calories," and "free from artificial ingredients," but they are essentially blood sugar bombs. Packed with hidden sugars and simple carbohydrates, pop corners can send your blood sugar skyrocketing.

Sugar Soda

No Nutritional Value, Just Empty Calories Sugar soda offers no utility unless your blood sugar is dangerously low and you need a quick glucose boost. Otherwise, it's a beverage that provides zero nutritional value. Why would you choose to drink glucose tabs in water form? The...

We will be discussing another breakfast favorite that may have been pushed aside: French toast (Captain Crunch edition in this one)

First, let's break it down.

When it comes to French toast, there are a couple of things to consider.

The powdered sugar topping is negligible, so we'll focus more on the bread itself and the cereal coating. French toast typically consists of a few main components, and in this case, it includes Captain Crunch cereal, which has a very high glycemic index. This means it can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. So it's important to be aware that your blood sugar could skyrocket after consuming this dish.

Now, let's take a closer look.

We have six pieces of French toast, and the bread seems a bit thicker than usual. From a bread perspective, each slice likely contains around 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates, depending on its size. In this case, with the thicker bread, it might be closer to 22 grams per slice. So, considering all six pieces, we're...

Let’s review buffalo wings.

These wings are a popular favorite at tailgates, parties, and various events, and they have become a staple in American culture.

Let's dive into the details.

So we have six wings, and beneath this paper, there are another six. There are different varieties and even some celery on the side. From a carbohydrate perspective, we need to consider the type of seasoning or sauce used. 

Buffalo sauce typically contains minimal carbohydrates, but if you're dealing with something sweet like a barbecue sauce, you'll need to factor in those carbs. In this particular case, if you're only focusing on the wings, you're probably in the clear. Ranch dressing has minimal carbs, and celery is virtually carb-free since it's a vegetable. So, from a carb standpoint, you're good to go.

However, it's worth noting that you might not be consuming just the wings alone. You might have other items such as mac and cheese, a burger, or some chips. In that case, you'll need...

Let's settle this debate once and for all: Does insulin cause weight gain? 

The answer is a resounding NO…

Now, I know there will be people who strongly agree or disagree with me on this matter. Some might argue that their doctors have told them otherwise. But have you ever stopped to think for yourself and question the information presented to you?

Let's dive into the topic.

Insulin itself does not cause weight gain. The real culprit behind weight gain is consuming too many calories, which then get stored as body fat. Insulin can play a role in facilitating this process, but it is not the underlying cause. 

Think of calories as raw materials for your body, just like wood, steel beams, and concrete are for building a house. You have inputs (calories) and outputs (energy expenditure). If you consume an excess of calories, your body will store them as fat. 

On the other hand, if you don't consume enough calories, you'll be in a calorie deficit, and your body...

We have a tantalizing dish on the menu: Creamy Beef Curry. Thai cuisine at its finest!

Now, when it comes to curries, especially those with a coconut milk base like green curry, many people worry about their blood sugar levels spiking. And it's true, the coconut milk in the curry is relatively high in fat, low in carbs, and low in protein. This significant fat content can have an impact on your blood sugar later on.

Let's break down the components of this dish. We have tender beef, approximately 5 to 6 ounces, along with some delightful veggies – green veggies and a medley of other low-carb, non-starchy vegetables. These veggies generally have minimal impact on blood sugar levels. So far, we have beef, which is negligible in terms of carbs, and a substantial amount of coconut milk as the base of the curry.

From a dosing perspective, the curry itself may contain a small amount of carbs, around 20-25 grams. However, the main source of carbs will be the rice. Whether it's white...

It's time to address a common misconception: the belief that eating carbs at night leads to weight gain. Let's set the record straight and understand why this notion is incorrect.

The premise often put forth is that if you consume carbohydrates in the evening, such as Rice Krispies or any other food, your body will store them as fat since you're inactive during sleep and conserving energy.

However, this is far from the truth. The number of calories in a food item, whether consumed at 12 pm, 8 pm, or any other time of the day, remains the same. For example, if a serving of Rice Krispies Poppers contains 130 calories, it will always be 130 calories, regardless of when you eat it.

Weight gain occurs when you consistently consume more calories than you expend, resulting in a calorie surplus. Going to bed in a calorie deficit and then eating something like Rice Krispies Poppers or any other food does not automatically put you into a calorie surplus.

The notion that eating carbs at...

Let’s discuss a delicious food item that may pose challenges for blood sugar management—the Belly Breakfast Burrito.

We’re going to break down this culinary delight and learn how to dose insulin effectively.

Let's begin by analyzing the components of the burrito. Alongside the burrito, you'll notice a side serving of rice, approximately a quarter cup, which equates to about 10 grams of carbohydrates. The generous portion of black beans accompanying the meal adds around 25-30 grams of net carbs due to the high fiber content.

Now, let's examine the burrito itself. Inside, you'll find succulent pork belly and a considerable amount of eggs. Assuming the entire tortilla is filled with eggs, we can estimate the presence of three to five eggs. From a carbohydrate standpoint, eggs have minimal impact. Pork belly, being higher in fat than protein, contains negligible carbs as well. The tortilla, however, is likely to contribute around 45 grams of carbs, considering its...

We're diving into a breakfast favorite: steak and eggs Benedict.

But before we indulge, let's explore the important factors to consider when it comes to dosing for this delicious meal.

Understanding the Components

Let's break down the elements of our dish. We start with a Traditional Plain English muffin, which adds approximately 22 grams of carbs to the equation. Moving on, we have two eggs, which contain no carbs and require no specific considerations. Next up, we have a generous portion of steak and some mushrooms. Both mushrooms and steak have negligible carb content, but it's crucial to account for the protein in the steak which is probably around 5 ounces. 

Now, let's talk about the sauces that accompany our dish. On one side, we have the ever-popular hollandaise sauce—a delightful mixture of fat and flavors. On the other side, we find everyone's favorite: melted cheese. While the carb content remains low, we must consider the fat content contributed...

Let’s dispel the notion that individuals with diabetes can't enjoy certain foods, such as Italian pasta.

Often, people assume that these carb-heavy dishes are off-limits due to blood sugar concerns. Many people fell in love with Italian cuisine, including the delectable chicken carbonara pasta. We will guide you through the process of estimating carb content and managing blood sugar levels when indulging in this Italian delight.

Let's break down the components of chicken carbonara pasta from a carb perspective. We'll disregard the chicken and bacon as they have minimal impact. The creamy sauce and other ingredients won't significantly contribute to carb count either. The crucial element is pasta. 

To estimate the carb content, a handy rule of thumb is to assume approximately two and a half to three cups of pasta in a dish of this size. Since it's best shared with a friend, let's settle on two and a half cups, which translates to around 112 grams of carbs.

Remember, if...

Mexican cuisine is beloved by many for its rich flavors and diverse options.

However, for individuals managing their blood sugar levels, dining out at restaurants can present challenges. 

While popular chains like Chipotle offer convenient nutritional information, what happens when you visit a local Mom and Pop restaurant? Let’s explore the intricacies of dosing for Mexican food and provide insights into managing blood sugar levels when dining at different establishments.

Dosing for Mexican Food

The Chipotle 

Chipotle, a well-known Mexican-inspired fast-food chain, offers a user-friendly nutritional calculator to help patrons determine the carb content of their meals. With options like rice, chicken, and a variety of toppings, it becomes easier to estimate the impact on blood sugar levels. For instance, a half to three-quarters cup of rice contributes around 35-40 grams of carbohydrates, while broccoli and crispy bacon add negligible amounts. Chicken and cheese are...