Is Broad Beans Good for Diabetes? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Broad beans are good for diabetes. Because they have fiber and protein and they can help manage blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is a condition that affects your blood sugar levels.

In diabetes, your body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces effectively.

This can lead to various health problems, such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, vision problems, and stroke.

One of the key factors in managing diabetes is diet.

What you consume can affect your blood sugar levels, which can impact your diabetes symptoms and overall health.

To effectively manage diabetes, you should consume fiber and protein rich foods like leafy greens, whole grains, and lean meats and avoid sugar and saturated fat rich foods like sugary drinks, fried foods, and high-fat meats.

Now, broad beans are legumes.

People usually eat them cooked, either as a side dish or added to stews, soups, and salads.

Broad beans are good for diabetes because they contain low-glycemic carbohydrates, protein, and fiber.

They are beneficial for all types of diabetes as they help manage blood sugar levels.

100 grams of broad beans can give you approximately 7.77% carbohydrates, 1.43% total fat, 9.60% protein, and 9.47% dietary fiber of your daily needs.

Dietary fiber can positively affect diabetes by slowing down the absorption of sugars and improving blood sugar levels Protein can positively affect diabetes by providing energy without causing significant blood sugar spikes.

Furthermore, broad beans are a low-fat, high-fiber food and this type is good for diabetes.

Because, they help in controlling blood sugar levels and providing essential nutrients without adding excess calories.

You can eat about one cup of broad beans per day safely.

More than that can cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to their high fiber content.

Also, you shouldn’t eat broad beans if you have G6PD deficiency to prevent hemolytic anemia.

Because broad beans contain vicine and convicine, which can trigger this condition5.

You can buy fresh broad beans in your local market or can order them online.

Always choose beans that are firm and bright green.

Because they are likely to be fresher and of better quality.

You can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care is key to managing/dealing with diabetes effectively.

I always recommend my diabetes patients to follow a diabetes-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.

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About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

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