What's The Deal With Oatmeal?

Some things just don't agree with our body chemistry. I can't eat a banana without a serving of protien or my BG will zoom. My nutritionist suggested to use the steel cut oatmeal and add some walnuts for protien. This will slow the rate at which it absorbs and hits your blood stream.

I seem to recall reading that banannas have a higher sugar content than just about any type of fruit. I'm guessing that they do not have a lot of fiber, either. For me, the best/worst food is pizza. Pizza will spike my blood sugar levels for DAYS. It's probably the pan crust with extra sauce that does it. It has always been one of my great addictions though.

Lots of good replies here. Let me add a tip. I add cinnamon and ginger to my oatmeal and sweeten with a little honey, because I have learned the cinnamon helps spur an increase of insulin,ginger settles stomach and eases arthritic pain and honey is a natural antihistamine…I also add protein to my brkfst. egg or meats or natural peanut butter on whole multigrain bread. I almost forgot, add a little vanilla to your oatmeal, yum!! By the way my type 2 diabetes is under control. I am convinced that breakfast, well balanced, is the key. My Doctors agree!

Unfortunately, all grains will raise blood sugar, and really NONE are slow carbs. The only way to make them slow is to add more fiber (I add ground flax seed to my oatmeal) and start your meal with protein. Eggs, ham, leftover chicken, lean steak, you know, even well-cooked bacon works. If you eat the meat/protein first, it will slow down the absorbtion of the grains, and the fiber added by the flax seed will do the same.

Most breakfast foods (including oatmeal) make my blood sugar spike. It is horrible because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Oatmeal has never caused problems with me. But other cereals always spike me. Try eating some protein with your cereals. Eggs or sausage are good choices. Also Canadian Bacon!

Oatmeal does not cause me problems. But I usually add a little Truvia, a little fat free milk, a little cinnamon and either, chopped fresh apples, raisins, or dried cranberries. Maybe this is why. I also eat a piece of Pepperidge farms 15 grain bread toasted.

You need a little bit of protien in that mix. Nuts? Muscle Milk? We are conditioned to think oatmeal is a miracle food, but not really so much. I have had to stop eating raisins altogether they are so high in sugar it is not worth it. But I sure do miss raisin bran cereal! My perfect breakfast (approved by my nutritionist) Chocloate Protien drink from Costco (30 grams of protien, 1 gram of sugar and 5 grams of carbs in 160 calories) two slices of toasted double fiber whole grain bread with just a smear of apricot preserve on each. Yum!! Healthy, filling and lasting. I swear by the Costco brand of Muscle Milk.

I really don't eat oatmeal very often and some times I do put a few chopped walnuts in. The Pepperidge Farms 15 grain bread does have a lot of fiber and protein. When I put in the raisins or dried cranberries, I only use about a tsp full. I have tried the Muscle Milk and did not like it at all. Most of the Protein drinks upset my stomach.

Oh, so sorry to hear the drinks don't agree with you. It is facinating how we all are different with the same disease! {{Hugs}} Sherrie

If I had a breakfast like that I would be in the 300's no question. Carbs in oatmeal, carbs in fruit, carbs in toast. I have to stick to a protein or veggie breakfast. Carbs just don't like me and I believe my insulin resistance is so high that I have to kind of stay away from carbs as much as possible.

Same here. I usually don't eat until I am awake for at least a couple of hours. Then, it is usually a protein shake (no carbs) taken with some digestable fiber capsules. I've noticed a definite drop in my BG since I started taking them along with my meals. I try to get as much fiber in my diet as possible, but it seems like you can never get too much fiber if you are a diabetic.

Keep in mind, when you increase you vegatables in your diet you are increasing the fiber, both souble and unsouble fiber. Also plain yogurt supplies adds to digestion improvement. Remember since breakfast follows a fast. If you wait too long to eat,digestive juices arrive in the stomach, causing upset. The point is a small spike in the am will settle down, if you are eating well balanced regular meals..

What kind of fiber capsules are you taking? Are they giving you digestive troubles? Or did you work up to taking them with every meal? I know I add fiber with chia seeds and too much too fast is trouble.

My nutritionist just told me about chia seeds. I put them in EVERYTHING!!!! I have recently switched from small apples to pears for a change of pace. I am testing much less frequently these days because I am pretty predictable in my meals and I have learned how my body reacts to foods and food combinations. It has taken me three months to regain control of my previously out of control (500s) diabetes, but I have done it and I am confident that I will continue to make the right choices to support my good health.

I love them in baked goods, smoothies, even toss them in salads. They are magic. People say you can spout them, but I don't know how to do it except on a Chia Pet. LOL

Haha! I just slipped some to my husband in his scrambled eggs!

Ahhh, a woman after my own heart. I slip all that healthy stuff in where ever I can. The less he knows the better.

So true!!! :)

I've been using Psyllium Husk caps. They are 500mg each, and I generally take 3 along with meals. The directions call for drinking 8 oz of water along with the caps, which I always include with my meals. I actually usually drink about 16 oz of water with meals, or if I take them on an empty stomach. I'm up to about 9 caps a day now, which would be 4.5 grams. That's not really much, when you consider that the recommended daily intake of fiber is something like 30-40 grams. I did start out taking less capsules each day, but never really had a problem with stomach upset, digestion, etc. Just make sure to take them with PLENTY of water. I would guess that doing otherwise would lead to real problems. Also, I'm guessing that the rest of your diet could possibly affect its side-effects. Ingesting any type of diuretic probably wouldn't help.

BTW, Psyllium Husks are a soluble fiber. I haven't experimented at all with insoluble fiber, so I'm not sure if it would be beneficial (probably) or cause any type of negative symptoms. It would probably be worth trying along with the soluble fiber. I haven't tried it yet yet though.

We finally found one person whose BG doesn't spike from oatmeal. Congratulations! It just goes to show that no two people's diabetes are exactly alike.

or we found the exception which "proves the rule"? LoL.

Oatmeal. Any kind of cereal sends my bg's through the roof. It sucks. I miss oatmeal alot maybe one day we can eat it again I dought it but dreaming never hurts.

You don't have to give up this favorite food. Just make a few adjustments. Combine it with raw walnuts and drink a 12 oz class of water with it. I'll bet you will see less of a spike. Additionally, I use water instead of milk to make mine. ANd what is a spike for you? 160-190? There are many health benefits associated with oatmeal (fiber, lowering of cholesterol) that it doesn't have to be eliminated. Experiment with protiens along with it. And enjoy!

My reading is to use steel-cut oats. I don't use milk either. Some days it spikes, some days it doesn't. So my opinion is out on the matter. My steel-cut oats use 3-1 water. It makes about 4 servings, takes 15 minutes to cook.

I can't eat oatmeal either. Gets my sugar jacked up something awful. Just bear in mind that all the things we are told are "healthy" aren't necessarily. You have to find out what works best for you. For me I am better off staying away from all that starchy stuff, like oatmeal, and cold cereal. I like to stick to non starchy veggies, and some sort of protein.

It spikes my bg as well, if I plan to eat it then I have to adjust my insulin for it. I love it on cold days.

I stay away from oatmeal. I do use steel cut oats from time to time, but it spikes me as well. It is a good thing that I am not much of a cereal eater. Can't touch most of that stuff.

O.k., is there ANYONE out there who does NOT have a problem with their BS spiking after eating oatmeal? For being so recommended by so many different books and medical websites, it seems strange that all of them are wrong. Go figure!

Sprinkle a tablespoon of chia seeds into it (tastless) and that adds more fiber thus slower digestion.

Have the oatmeal with cinnamon (lowers BG) and sweetner with a side of 2 morning star sausage patties for the protien. The key is protein protein protein!

I can eat 1/3 cup rolled oats cooked with 3/4 cup water. That is often my breakfast. I can eat the same amount of steel oats, too, but it takes so long to cook.

I have heard that folks will put it in a slow cooker, and cook a bunch at a time and let it cool in the refrigerator. Then they take out and a serving and zap it in the Micro

If I did that I could take it out and patch the walls with it!!!

That's a great solution! I think the steel-cut oats are slower-acting carbs. Thanks James, I hope you are doing well.

yes anything less processed like the steel cut oats takes longer to for stomach acid to break down, and hence the longer digestion time which makes it a slower acting carb. I am doing well, thank you Caliko

I think it is all hype. Like most things that are good for diabetics. Add a little diabetic label and charge twice the money. They are always looking for something to market their products. So if it doesn't work for you very well, then I would just avoid it. I have done that to a few foods. I just don't eat them anymore because it isn't worth the headache and spike later.

Ditto that. Serving of oatmeal and a whole grain english muffin are both 26 carbs. I'd rather throw an egg and ham on that english muffin and get the same protein benefit if I'm taking the spike hit.

Do you think that it might be the halo effect?

Oats/oatmeal get such high rating for reducing cholesterol which is big issue among heart problem prone diabetics, it may be more assumption of heart benefits that testing of BG rates.

I think you're onto something there Carol. I don't remember it being advertised as good for diabetics, just good for the heart. The background calim is that it's a "slow" carb.

I've posed the question in many different ways on line and all avenues lead back to oatmeal being a healthy choice for diabetics. Which makes me wonder, if so many of us have a negative effect on our BG's, has anyone actually tested actual diabetics before reporting their findings?

Good point. Maybe we should call out big oatmeal and ask for proof. I can't find any. The only folks I've seen who have no problem with it are those on medications or insulin.

What an excellent idea!! I'm up for doing it! Really, I will email a letter to them and see what reply I get. Give me a couple of days and I will get a letter going. I am on several meds, and my BG spikes like crazy. I never see a 200 anymore, and oatmeal does it!
Keep you all posted!

Please do!

Yeah thanks on all our behalf granniesophie!

I was on 16u of insulin and 2 500mg of Met a day and still got spikes.

Oooof! I guess everyone has a differing definition of "problem"!

you mean call the folks who have the guy with the funny hat and bowtie?

Yeah, Wilford Brimley.

no older, much than wilford! LoL!

Yes, and I've used steel cut oats and even tried oat bran, with much the same effect. I have to cut the suggested portion size in half to give me an acceptable rise in BG levels.

Oatmeal used to be my breakfast of choice for me for a number of years even after my Dx with DM. Once I figured how to check out how foods affect my unique metabolism, I got a shock how my BGs were affected by my fave breakfast food.

Oatmeal sends my BGs way up also, even when steel cut and without any sweeteners of any kind.

I thought of the oat bran would not be as bad for my BGs. I checked my BGs after 2 hrs and was shocked at how high the oat bran was after 2 hrs (and that was without sweetener, and cooked with water) . When I cut the portion size in half then it was more acceptable. but the amount wasn't enough to be really satisfying

The root sources that claim it won't raise blood sugar are those who will profit by selling it. It is almost 100% carb and will absolutely raise blood sugar. Eating protein and fat will help even out the spike as will portion size and not adding extra carb.

Glad to hear that I am not alone on this one! On paper, oatmeal should be an excellent food for diabetics. The last time I was hospitalized, that was about all they would serve me for breakfast. At first, I thought that it might have been the milk I was adding that was responsible, so I stopped using that. With no better results, I finally removed Splenda from the recipe. While removing the milk improved my BG levels slightly, just plain oatmeal with water still sends my BG through the roof. Could it be that I am overcooking it? I'm not really sure what to think at this point, other than I miss my oatmeal!

Hello, I have done a lot on online research plus I eat oatmeal often. Yes my sugar spikes shortly after eating but will return to a good BG about 1.5 hrs after. The research I learned that the fiber and nutrients in oatmeal outweigh the quick spike. When I make oatmeal I make it with 1/2 C unsweetened applesauce and 1/2 water. Then I add 3/4 C of frozen fruit (thawed). Berries are great tasting and add your fruit and anti oxidents especially blueberries. If you add a bit of cinnamon on top it will help the spike. Also eating a bit of protein helps, perhaps a hard boiled egg.
I usually boil up 6 to 8 eggs at a time, peel, and place in a ziplock bag and keep in my frige.

when I test for my tests of how a particular food affects my BG levels I test at the 2 hr mark and I find a suggested serving raises my BG too high to eat it at the suggested serving level. I have found that I could eat half of the suggested serving and have an acceptable BG (without added milk or sweetener) at 2 hrs after reading, but the half serving size just was not satisfying to me.

Those are some of the reasons that I add the fruit to try to get the recommended carbs and still get that added fiber.

It hates me too but I thought it was because of the sweetener I add to it. Never tried it just plain.

Love oatmeal, it hates me! Same spikes everyone else gets! But I can eat Cream of Wheat. No spikes. Go figure??!!

I haven't tried cream of wheat since I was diagnosed. I might get brave enough. I loved it on cold snowy days. Oatmeal hates me, it is a mutual feeling.

Yes, do let us know about the cream of wheat. I haven't had any of that in years. I have no clue what is actually in in, but I suspect… wheat?

I will. My husband stopped for groceries yesterday ad forgot the cream of wheat. H said he'd get some today. So I'll try it tommorrow if the nasty flue bug we're fighting at work doesn't get me.

Cream of wheat is from a part of the wheat, a.k.a. farina.

I wouldn't expect the results to do that well then. Most wheat products are loaded with carbs from my experience.

Let us know about the cream of wheat.

I like cream of rice. But have not eaten much in years. I do know how it would affect my BG. I think I will try it tomorrow. i don't like cream of wheat but my family does. Oatmeal does not raise my BG to much.

Hope you are able to eat it again. Rice spikes me too much to try it. Plus my favorite has always been the cream of wheat. My test will be later today.

Well, GB, I ate the cream of Rice this morning. No more for me. Before breakfast BG was 120, 1 hour after BG 209, 2 hours after 180. I had 1/2 cup with about 1/2 tsp Truvia. I am not happy about this. maybe I will test the oatmeal again. I tested a lot of foods when I was first diagnosed in 2005 and oatmeal di not shoot the BG up. Think I will retest on this. Things do change from time to time.

Well, it certainly makes sense, since rice is high in carbs. White rice is especially bad. So, if the cream of rice isn't brown, I would guess that it comes from white rice or at least goes through the same type of processing that white rice does.

1/2 cup is 18 grams carbs which calcuates to 1 carb serving.

I find my responses to some carbs are disproportionate to the carb count also.

Mine, too.

Me too. I think some foods are Black Holes of Carbs. They contain many more carbs than show up on any test given to determine how many carbs they contain.

:(
So sorry you cannot have something you enjoy.