Diabetes Dietitian's Guide: How to Dose for Jerk Chicken Pasta!
Living with diabetes can be challenging, especially when it comes to eating restaurant food.
Many people with diabetes feel like they have to restrict themselves from enjoying their favorite foods, like Jerk Chicken Pasta, which can be frustrating and disheartening.
However, it doesn't have to be this way!
In this blog post, we will be sharing with you these tips on how to dose for a jerk chicken pasta dish to help maintain good blood sugars.
Let’s break down the nutritional information of this plate of jerk chicken pasta, starting with carb sources.
We can estimate that there are about two to two and a half cups of pasta, which translates to about 86 grams of carbs. With a small piece of bread, the total carb count comes out to 120 grams. Carbohydrates can have a significant impact on blood sugar levels, which is why many people with diabetes worry about the carb content of their meals. However, it's important to remember that carbs are not the only thing to consider.
You must also consider the protein and fat content of the meal, as they can play a major role in blood sugars as well. In the chicken pasta, there are about six ounces of chicken, which provides a decent amount of protein. This is important because protein can slow down the digestion of carbs, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes.
Finally, the main source of fat in the dish is the basil pesto cream sauce. While fat does not directly impact blood sugar levels, it can slow down digestion and absorption of carbs. This can be helpful in preventing blood sugar spikes in the immediate future….but…..
When consuming a meal that contains a high amount of fat, such as this one,it's generally recommended to consider our now-and-later dosing strategy for insulin. This is because the fat can slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, which can cause a delay in the release of glucose into the bloodstream. As a result, the now-and-later dosing technique for insulin can help ensure that the insulin is released at the right time to manage the blood sugar levels.
It's important to note that everyone's response to food is different, and there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to diabetes management.
