When you eat fried rice, most of the nutrients are carbs, which can cause your blood sugar to rise quickly. However, it also has protein, fats, and many vitamins and minerals. Thanks to the vegetables that were added to make this meal look better and give it more vitamins Regardless, let’s explore my thoughts about your question, “Is fried rice good for diabetics?.
I like to think that the person who came up with the idea for fried rice had a lot of food left over from Thanksgiving and didn’t want to waste any of it, so he made something up out of the blue and gave us fried rice!
The real story is that fried rice is a Chinese staple that has recently become widely accepted. Although it is typically made using leftovers, it is very nutritious and pretty. People often eat fried rice, which is cooked rice that is stir-fried in oil with spices and other foods like meat, seafood, vegetables, soy sauce, garlic, and more.
Shrimp fried rice is a classic Chinese takeout dish that many people love, including those with diabetes However, if you have diabetes, you may be wondering if eating something like shrimp fried rice is a wise choice
The good news is that shrimp fried rice can be part of a healthy diet for diabetics when consumed in moderation. While fried rice is high in carbohydrates from the rice you can still enjoy it as part of an overall balanced approach to managing diabetes.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at shrimp fried rice and offer tips on how diabetics can eat this tasty dish as part of a healthy diet.
Understanding the Carb Content
The main concern with shrimp fried rice for diabetics is the carbohydrate content. A 1/2 cup serving of plain white rice contains about 22 grams of carbs. When you add in vegetables, eggs, shrimp, and sauces, the carb count in a shrimp fried rice dish quickly climbs.
It’s crucial to pay attention to portion sizes of rice and fried rice dishes. Enjoying a small-to-moderate portion as part of a meal that also includes lean protein, veggies, and healthy fats can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Here are some tips for managing carbs when eating shrimp fried rice:
- Stick to 1/2 cup or less of fried rice. Measure your portion to be aware of the amount.
- Pair it with an equal or larger portion of non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, etc.
- Complete the meal with a lean protein source like shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
- Use small amounts of lighter sauces like soy sauce, avoiding sugary sauces.
- Ask for brown rice fried rice to add more fiber.
- Balance carb intake throughout the day – avoid large portions of fried rice alone.
Healthy Chinese Food Options
Beyond fried rice, there are many delicious and diabetes-friendly Chinese food options:
Proteins: shrimp, chicken, beef, pork, tofu, eggs
Non-Starchy Vegetables: bok choy, leafy greens, mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, onions, snow peas, bean sprouts, water chestnuts
Whole Grains: brown rice, quinoa, whole grain noodles
Sauces/Seasonings: soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, chilies, sesame oil, five spice powder
Focus on dishes packed with vegetables and protein like shrimp and broccoli or chicken and mushrooms. Ask for brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice. Enjoy sauces like soy sauce in moderation.
Tips for Ordering Chinese Takeout
If you’re getting takeout or eating at a restaurant, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose steamed, grilled, or stir-fried entrees instead of deep fried.
- Ask for brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice.
- Order dishes with lots of veggies like stir fries or Buddha’s Delight.
- Get protein-focused dishes like shrimp and broccoli.
- Flavor with salsa, hot sauce, mustard instead of sugary sauces.
- Share carb-heavy dishes like fried rice with a friend.
- Portion out half the meal when you get it to control portions.
- At buffets, use small plates and focus on lean proteins and veggies.
Enjoying Healthy Homemade Fried Rice
When making shrimp fried rice at home, you can tweak it to be extra diet-friendly:
- Use cauliflower rice or a mix of cauliflower and brown rice.
- Load up on extra vegetables like carrots, snap peas, bean sprouts.
- Skip adding sugar or cornstarch for thickening.
- Use healthy fats like olive oil instead of butter.
- Flavor with garlic, ginger, lime juice, chili sauce instead of heavy sauces.
- Add in edamame or nuts for extra protein.
- Portion into single servings and refrigerate or freeze extras.
Sample Recipe
Here is a diabetes-friendly shrimp fried rice recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups riced cauliflower
- 1⁄2 cup brown rice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch ginger, minced
- 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 cup snap peas
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3 scallions, sliced
- 2 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Chili garlic sauce, to taste
Instructions:
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In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the cauliflower rice and brown rice in olive oil for 2-3 minutes.
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Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes until starting to turn pink.
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Add garlic, ginger, carrot, and snap peas. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
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Push ingredients to sides of skillet. Add eggs to center and scramble until cooked.
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Add scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce. Cook 1-2 minutes until shrimp is cooked through.
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Portion into bowls and enjoy!
The Bottom Line
Shrimp fried rice can be part of a healthy diabetes diet when consumed in moderation as part of an overall balanced approach. Focus on controlling portion sizes, adding lots of non-starchy veggies, and balancing it out with lean proteins and healthy fats. With a few simple tweaks, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors of shrimp fried rice while managing your diabetes. Chinese food and diabetes can happily coexist with a little planning and smart choices.
Rice and diabetics: What is all the fuss about?
Most times, someone says, “I’m diabetic. “Most people will only tell you to stay away from rice and sugar, and sometimes they won’t even know why. Well, I’ll tell you why because I wouldn’t leave you hanging!
In past years, if not generations, rice has become a staple in almost every home and culture. It is the most basic food and calorie source for half of the world’s population, especially in Africa and Asia. Rice can be made into anything, including rice cakes, and can be paired with almost any meal, from soups to pasta and beans, which is why it is so commonly used.
Unfortunately, diabetics and rice don’t get along very well. Rice is high in carbs, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly, which is not good for diabetics. Since rice is a main ingredient in all of your meals, the idea of cutting it out may seem impossible. But if you want to keep your blood sugar from skyrocketing, you should try to avoid rice as much as possible.
It’s not a surprise that your doctors and diabetic team may tell you to stop eating rice altogether; it’s the right thing to do. If you and your family can’t live without rice, though, this might not be possible because other grains like black rice or quinoa are either too expensive or not available. In a hurry to get away, you think of a dish like fried rice and how it affects people with diabetes.
Is Fried Rice Good for Diabetics?
Depending on its constituents and the quantity you have, fried rice can be good for diabetics. Fried rice is a common dish in many homes and is liked by many. However, if you have diabetes, it is not the best thing to eat because it is mostly carbs and can cause your blood sugar to rise quickly because it has a high glycemic index. This is especially true if you plan on having white fried rice.
I’m being neutral, but if I have to be biased, I’ll say that if you have diabetes, you should avoid most fried foods and fried rice, especially white rice, because it will raise your blood sugar no matter how well you cook it, which will eventually hurt your blood sugar levels.
If you have to eat fried rice, there are some things you can do to lower the risks of problems that could happen if you are diabetic. These can include:
Is shrimp good for diabetics?-can shrimp raise blood sugar?
FAQ
Can a diabetic eat fried shrimp?
Is shrimp and rice good for diabetics?
Can a diabetic patient eat fried rice?
Is shrimp fried rice high in carbs?
Can diabetics eat shrimp?
As obviously shown, the high-protein, low-fat, low-carbs (therefore low-sugar) nutritional profile makes shrimps a healthy component to any diet. But it may be particularly beneficial for diabetic people, not the least because of the above-mentioned nutritional profile.
Is vegetable fried rice safe for a diabetic?
Fried rice is primarily a carbohydrate-based meal that can cause a sharp rise in blood glucose levels. So, for a diabetic, it is important to prepare it with a little amount of brown rice and add a lot of vegetables, in order to increase the amount of fiber.
Does cooked shrimp affect blood glucose levels?
A 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of cooked shrimp contains just 0.2 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of sugar, so they won’t affect blood glucose levels. People with type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease often have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
How to eat Chinese food if you have diabetes?
Low-glycemic index foods like brown rice, lean proteins, and steamed dishes are recommended for managing diabetes while enjoying Chinese cuisine. Non-starchy vegetables like bok choy, Chinese broccoli, watercress, and mushrooms are beneficial and should be paired with small portions of rice and noodles.