Mastering Sushi Roll Dosage with a T1D Dietitian: A Guide for Diabetes Management
Sushi is a convenient and popular food item with many options (sashimi, nigiri, and maki rolls). Then there's the sushi relatives: fresh ceviche, tuna tartare, and poke bowls—chunks of colorful, raw fish topping off a salad or rice bowl with avocado and crunchy veggies.
However, is it possible for a person with diabetes to eat sushi?
Although some people think sushi is synonymous with raw fish, its centerpiece is rice. In traditional Japanese cuisine, sushi is defined as cold vinegared rice garnished with raw or cooked seafood and vegetables. The rice can trigger a spike in blood sugar.
Let's break down the impact of sushi on blood sugar levels for people with diabetes.
White rice….
Let’s break down the number of pieces in the roll, assuming it is 8 pieces. We calculate that the entire roll contains about 50 grams of carbs or about 6-7g of carbs per piece.
Prior to the meal, we should factor in the number of rolls we plan to eat and the fact that white rice can hit the bloodstream very quickly from a blood sugar perspective. Therefore, taking insulin earlier than normal gives it time to kick in before eating.
Other ingredients used in sushi can also contribute to the carb content of the dish. For example, some sushi rolls may contain fats, and protein, sweetened sauces, or fruits like mango, which can significantly increase the carb content. Avocado, a popular sushi ingredient, also contains carbs but in smaller amounts than the rice, not enough to affect blood sugar levels significantly as its main fiber. Focusing on the carbs when dosing insulin independently for sushi and letting the insulin do the work to prevent blood sugar spikes.
