Many myths surround what foods a diabetic can and cannot eat. Pasta is often thought of as an unhealthy food for dieters and diabetics because it is high in carbohydrates. Diabetics may, in fact, enjoy pasta in moderation, especially if the type of pasta is made specifically for the needs of a diabetic. Maintaining proper nutrition as a diabetic can help to prevent complications from occurring, such as heart disease, stroke and neuropathy, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body's ability to move sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin, which moves blood sugar into the cells. Type 2 diabetics, according to the ADA, may not produce insulin or may be able to produce it, but the cells do not recognize it. Either way, diabetics can get dangerously high blood sugar levels if they eat too many carbohydrates or sugars because sugar stays in the bloodstream and can't make it to the cells to be used as fuel.
Regular Pasta
The ADA explains that there are three types of carbohydrates: starches, sugars and fiber. Starches and sugars raise blood sugar levels, so they are limited on diabetic diets. Regular pasta is considered a starch because it is made mostly from flour. Regular pasta has very little fiber, though it contains some vitamins and minerals. Diabetics do not need to avoid regular pasta completely, but need to watch their portion size when eating pasta and should eat it with a protein-rich food such as chicken.
Pasta and Blood Sugar Levels
The reason that regular pasta is limited on a diabetic diet is that eating it can raise blood sugar levels. According to the ADA, the starch from regular pasta is converted into sugar quickly in the body when digested. This means that blood sugar levels can rise quickly and if untreated by medicine or proper nutrition, blood sugar levels can get so high in the bloodstream that a diabetic can become dizzy, tired and weak and can even experience dangerous symptoms such as diabetic comas.
Whole Wheat Pasta
Whole wheat pasta is a different type of pasta that tastes similar to regular pasta, yet is superior in its nutritional qualities. The ADA explains that whole wheat pasta contains all of the components of the wheat kernel, including the bran, endosperm and germ. The bran and germ, which are missing in regular pasta, contain the fiber. Whole wheat pasta is rich in fiber, which helps to slow the digestion of carbohydrates, so a diabetic's blood sugar doesn't rise as quickly.
Portion Size
The proper portion size of pasta for a diabetic depends on several factors, including the diabetic's weight and physical activity level, current blood sugar levels and other foods eaten at the same time. Typically, a portion size for pasta is about one cup cooked, though with whole wheat pasta, a diabetic can eat slightly more, up to 1½ cups per serving, because of the fiber. It is very important that a diabetic eat carbohydrates such as pasta along with fats such as olive oil and proteins such as cheese and meat, instead of pasta alone, to help control blood sugar.
