Diabetic Recipes
Blogabetes
Ok. So today I want to discuss some research that I think is very interesting and it has to do with your favorite cup of joe.
If you remember, back in early December I wrote an article called Hyperglycemia coffee anyone?. The article discussed my feelings about drinking coffee and how I thought it raised my sugar. I had a few people comment on my post who had also experienced this blood sugar raising phenomenon as well.
Well, just a few days ago, I came across this article. It verified that in a recent study, researchers found what I thought to be true- caffeine makes it hard for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar.
But then I found this article, which states that drinking coffee may actually protect people from getting type 2 diabetes. That article was published two years ago.
Don't you think it's interesting that coffee can be helpful in preventing the disease for non-diabetics, but the second you are diagnosed it's bad for you. Talk about confusing.
So in summary I'd like to throw out a couple of things. What are your experiences with drinking coffee both regular and decaf and the effects it does or doesn't have on your sugars for type ones and two's? Did you hear about either one of these studies when they came out or is this your first time ever hearing about coffee and diabetes? What other foods have you found to mysteriously cause your sugar to creep up or down? And, what foods or drinks did you remove from your diet when you were diagnosed?
And finally, another thing that I realized, and what they pointed out in one of the articles is that each person is different. Also, it's a good idea to look into things for yourself and just because something is published doesn't mean it's absolutely true. You have to live and learn.
Thanks for reading. -Andy
I drink my coffee black, no sugar. No measurable difference in blood glucose levels.
OTOH, those capuccino-type beverages from the hot beverage dispenser at the 7-11 are absolute horrors (except on those days that I'm running consistently low). OTTH, those beverages have very little coffee, and huge amounts of sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils -- all ingredients designed to raise one's BG and keep it there, while raising one's LDL and triglycerides, and lowering one's HDL...
I don't recall offhand having had any fortified coffees (e.g. Irish Coffee, Spanish Coffee, Café Gascon) since diagnosis, so I can't provide any input on those.
I am hypoglycemic with a family history of Type 2. When my sugar is low black coffee with sweetner works wells to stabilize my sugar levels so there may be something to the idea that it could raise blood sugar levels.
Funny we both latched on to this study. I guess we love our coffee! Definitely if you find it raises your bgl, you should try to get off it, or otherwise compensate. I don't see much correlation with mine. I did switch from french vanilla creamer to sugar free french vanilla when I was diagnosed, becuase the regular on an empty stomach just rockets my bgl straight up.
Thank you all for your comments and insight. I appreciate all the feed back. -Andy
I haven't noticed much change in BG from drinking coffee... but I do bolus for the few grams of carbs in the milk I add to it.
You asked about other foods that mysteriously raise or lower BG... for me that's white sticky rice. It's like eating piles of white sugar for me. Brown rice, wild rice, or any other whole grains are just fine, but that white sticky rice. It's evil! I don't eat sushi rolls anymore because of that.
Thankfully I had healthy habits before being diagnosed with type 1, so I didn't really have to make a ton of dietary changes. And I bolus for my sweet tooth when necessary. :)
Are you sure the rise in your bgs from drinking coffee is not the dawn phenomenon?
Thanks everyone for your comments. And to answer your question karen1, no I'm not. I have been reading lately about the effects that coffee has on your sugar, specifically caffienated. Would you mind elaborating on your comment? Thank you, -Andy.
Do you know what dawn phenomenon is, I won't go into a long post if you do? :)
My bgs rises every morning big time about an hour after I get up and I am still trying to find the secret formula to fight it. I have raised my basals but then I go low later, I have increased my morning carb to insulin ratio, but that is not working that well either. Tomorrow, yes tomorrow as I have just recently started on the CGM, I am going to bolus two units of insulin when I wake up to help combat this morning rise in bgs. I don't believe it is coffee as I get this sugar rise when I am fasting for morning bloodwork.
Dawn phenomenon is a liver glucose dump that occurs in all people that feeds your body upon waking. Non diabetics pancreas will kick in and cover these spikes with insulin. I think some people think it is their morning coffee causing these spikes in bgs. Does your bgs spike if you have coffee in the p.m?
I am not ruling out coffee as yet, but will have a better grasp tomorrow after I try out my 2 unit bolus wake up call. :)
I have a feeling it's the sugar people add. I drink coffee sometimes, with just some powdered creamer in it. I've never had blood sugar problems with my coffee drinking, but then I've never studied the effects on me very intensely.
First of all, if I have ever have to give up coffee it's not going to be pretty. It's one of the last 'things' I feel have that's FREE - except water. I use regular old full-strength store coffee, powdered Sam's Club creamer and Splenda. I have seen no noticable difference in my BG readings. If I use 1/2 n' 1/2 or even 2% milk as a treat, I'll get a little spike, but not too much. I have been watching all these stories about caffeine as well. I think it's like anything else.....just don't drink gallons of the stuff. Some of this is just common sense I feel.
Corey