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The Question
03/09/10 01:46 PM

"I heard if I eat something I shouldn't with sugar, that it's best for me to eat protein, fat and fiber WITH it to slow down absorption, Correct?"
Asked By: mchugh  
Category: Type 2

Background Info Hide
I am Type 2 diabetic and take 850 mg. of Metformin bid and 2.5 mg. of Glipizide everyday. My fasting sugars are usually around 125.

Expert Answers (1)

03/18/10 10:11 AM

Hello McHigh: Thank you for bringing your concern to dLife.com. While you are somewhat correct, I must offer some clarifications. Digestion and absorption are determined by many variables, when you ask about the combination of carbs, (which includes fiber), proteins and fats. Variables which would impact this area and functions of these food components would include primarily;
  • the duration of diabetes,
  • how well the glucose has been controlled, and if any potential complication have impacted these GI areas. Complications would be nerve damage from elevated blood glucose numbers that fuel a metabolic pathway which causes damage. Excess of >140-180 mg/dl, (AACE suggest 140 and ADA use 180 mg/dl), and how long these areas are exposed to these excesses, determine the degree of impairment-if any.

    Dietary self-management has gone to counting total carbohydrates, carbs include: simple sugars, the natural occurring fruit sugars, granulated-refined in recipes, and honey/molasses/syrups, all being a component to carbohydrates, carbs also include those complex items such as all flours/grains/corn/rice/potatoes, to identify in products, on the label they are all inclusive in the "total carbohydrate" per that serving size. Depending on your individualized meal plan, the addition of proteins, fat and fiber may still have adverse impacts to your glucose readings. Carbohydrates fuel the glucose within the 1st 2 hours after eating, during the 2-4 hour after a meal the fuel to glucose levels reflects the total protein from that meal, during the 4-6 hour, it is the fat content of the meal that influence those glucose readings. Fiber can slow the digestive process some, aids with bowel function, however, the total protein and fat content of the meal can also slow the digestive process. These many digestive and absorption variables, (the total GI area is in excess of 12-15 feet-per your individual health history), are reflected in the A1C, preferably <7%. Hope this helps, regards Sue

    • Answered By: Susan Throop
    Accreditations: RD, CDE, MA
    Sources Show

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