Eating a grilled cheese sandwich will cause your blood glucose levels to rise. Eating grilled cheese -- or any kind of sandwich -- will elevate your blood glucose because the sandwich contains carbohydrate, a type of nutrient that, unlike protein and fat, affects your blood sugar levels.
Nutrition Facts
Traditionally, a grilled cheese sandwich is made with two slices of bread, two slices of American cheese and oil such as butter. Using this model, a grilled cheese sandwich contains about 24.6 grams of total carbohydrate. Bread is the only significant source of carbohydrate in a grilled cheese sandwich. Two slices of bread contain about 23.12 grams of total carbohydrate, two slices of American cheese contain 1.46 grams of total carbohydrate and 1 tablespoon of butter contains 0.02 grams of total carbohydrate.
Carbohydrate Types
Carbohydrates include three main types: sugar, starch and fiber. Sugar and starch elevate your blood sugar levels because they are converted into glucose molecules during digestion. Fiber is distinct in that it does not cause your blood glucose levels to rise. This is because fiber does not convert into glucose, but instead passes through your body undigested. The majority of the carbohydrate in bread is starch. If you make your grilled cheese sandwich with whole-grain breads made with 100 percent whole-wheat flour, it will contain more fiber than bread made with refined grains, such as white flour or enriched wheat flour.
Blood Glucose
After you consume a grilled cheese sandwich, the contents make their way to your stomach to be digested. All starch and sugar carbohydrates are broken down into individual molecules of glucose. The glucose molecules are emptied into your small intestine. The glucose molecules pass through the lining of your small intestine and get absorbed directly into your bloodstream, which causes your blood glucose levels to increase. Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet, as they provide your body with its primary source of energy: glucose.
Intake of Carbs
About 45 percent to 60 percent of your total calories should come from carbohydrates. If you follow a 2,000-calorie diet, this means you should consume about 225 grams to 325 grams of carbohydrate per day. One grilled cheese sandwich contains about 25 grams of carbohydrate, about 8 percent to 11 percent of your recommended daily total. You can incorporate a grilled cheese sandwich into a balanced diet. For a healthier version, use whole-grain bread and low-fat cheese. And instead of butter, try brushing the outside of your bread with olive oil, a heart-healthy unsaturated fat.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Carbohydrates
- American Diabetes Association: Glycemic Index and Diabetes
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database
- MayoClinic.com; Glycemic Index Diet: Losing Weight With Blood Sugar Control, November 2009
- American Diabetes Association: Whole Grain Foods
- U.S. DepartNational Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Your Digestive System and How It Works; April 2008
- MayoClinic.com; Healthy Diet: End the Guesswork With These Nutrition Guidelines; February 2011
