Women, Carbohydrates, and Diabetes

According to a study by the Boston University School of Public Health, women, particularly Black and Chinese women, who regularly eat foods with a high-glycemic index, have a greater chance of developing diabetes.

US Black Women Study:

The study examined data from 40,078 U.S. black women who filled out a food questionnaire in 1995, and thereafter, every two years until 2003. The results showed that women who ate high-glycemic index foods or a diet with a high glycemic load had a higher risk for diabetes. However, women who ate more fiber from grains (cereal fiber) had a reduced risk.

What are foods that qualify with a high-glycemic index?

From MIT’s Glycemic Index:

High Glycemic Foods:

Some common examples are: Sugars, syrups, honey, molasses, Gatorlode, Gatorade, soft drinks, muffins, pancakes, waffles, white bread, whole meal bread, kaiser roll, shredded wheat, bread sticks, bagels, graham crackers, baked potatoes, Grapenuts cereal, Mini Wheats whole wheat breakfast cereal, Rice Krispies cereal, corn flakes cereal, raisin bran cereal, Bran flakes cereal, Total cereal, Cheerios cereal, cupcakes, doughnuts, croissants, white and brown rice, new potatoes, chocolate PowerBar, raw pineapple, double chocolate Pop Tarts, boxed macaroni and cheese, plain or cheese pizza, plain micro-waved cooked popcorn, sweet corn, carrots, beets, raisins, dates, cranberry juice cocktail, watermelon, tomato sauce, parsnips, puffed rice cakes, pretzels, regular ice cream, and winter squash.

Moderate Glycemic Foods:

Some examples are: Spaghetti, macaroni, white pasta, whole grain rye bread, stuffing, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, All-bran cereal, potato chips, sucrose, whole wheat pasta, grapes, fresh apricots, peas, oranges, orange juice, fresh and canned peaches in heavy syrup or natural juice, grapes, baked beans, corn, unsweetened grapefruit juice, mango, low fat ice cream, custard, instant pudding and yams.

Low Glycemic Foods:

Butter beans, chick peas, green beans, green peas, kidney beans, navy beans, red lentils, skim milk, whole milk, fruit yogurt, ice milk, baked beans, apples, fish sticks, lentils, sausage, fructose, peanuts, fresh grapefruit, fresh cherries, dried apricots, premium ice cream, and low fat yogurt.

U.S. Chinese Women Study:

In another study, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and colleagues followed a group of 64,227 Chinese women for an average of five years. They interviewed the women every two years between 2000 and 2004, to gather health-related information such as dietary habits and physical activity levels.

Results showed that women who consumed more carbohydrates overall were more likely to develop diabetes.

Even though, these two studies focused on Black and Chinese women, it stands to reason that all women would have similar risk factors. So, what do can you do to lower your risk?

Eat more foods in the moderate or low glycemic foods list. It’s that simple.

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle.

© Iowa Avenue