Anyone with diabetes knows that food directly affects blood sugar and overall health. While diabetics can eat some fat and sugar in moderation, it's important to limit high-fat and high-sugar foods. Soy ice cream is one alternative to dairy ice cream, which tends to be high in both fat and sugar. If you have diabetes, talk with your nutritionist about soy products and their role in your diet.
Fat Content
Soy ice cream is a nondairy product and has less fat than regular ice cream. Soy products can reduce your level of low-density lipoprotein, which is the type of cholesterol that is detrimental to your health, according to the University of Illinois National Soybean Research Laboratory. Diabetics have a three times greater risk of developing heart disease than the adult population as a whole, and replacing dairy ice cream with soy ice cream may help to reduce some of that risk.
Weight Control
Some brands of soy ice cream are lower in calories than regular ice cream. This can be a boon if you're trying to lose weight. But just as you would gain weight if you ate too much regular ice cream, you'll gain weight if you eat too much soy ice cream. Work toward losing weight by controlling your portion sizes and reducing your calories. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you can lose a pound per week if you eliminate 500 calories daily. Eating lower-calorie foods such as soy ice cream in moderate amounts is a step in the right direction.
Blood Sugar
Like regular ice cream, soy ice cream has sugar and other carbohydrates. Additionally, some types of soy ice cream contain sweets such as candy and cookies that can cause your blood sugar to spike further. Check the label of any soy ice cream that you want to buy. If possible, buy soy ice cream that's sweetened with aspartame instead of sugar. Check your blood sugar before you eat, and monitor your carbohydrates.
Making Wise Choices
If you have diabetes, you know that it is important to read labels to make wise food decisions. Soy ice cream has nutrients that are good for you, such as protein, potassium and iron. You may find that you enjoy soy ice cream more than regular ice cream. And you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you've made a good choice for your long-term health.
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