Diabetes diets should include lots of types of mushrooms. People on diabetes diets often wonder what they should and should not eat. Mushrooms are a no-brainer.

Are Mushrooms Good for People with Diabetes Diets?

Given that diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels, following a healthy diet that helps manage blood sugar is essential to treatment However, that can be easier said than done, and people with diabetes may find it difficult to decide which foods to eat and avoid.

Mushrooms are low in carbs and sugar and considered to have anti-diabetic properties.

This article from Healthline.com explains why mushrooms are an excellent choice if you have diabetes.

Nutrition in Mushrooms

There are many types of mushrooms, including the traditional button or white mushroom, shiitake, Portobello, and oyster mushrooms to name a few.

Despite their varying appearance and taste, they all have similar nutritional profiles, which are characterized by low sugar and fat contents.

One cup (70 grams) of raw mushrooms provides the following:

  • Calories: 15
  • Carbs: 2 grams
  • Sugar: 1 gram
  • Protein: 2 grams
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Vitamin B2, or riboflavin: 22% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Vitamin B3, or niacin: 16% of the DV
  • Selenium: 12% of the DV
  • Phosphorus: 5% of the DV

Mushrooms are rich in selenium and certain B vitamins. B vitamins are a group of eight water-soluble vitamins that’s strongly linked to improved brain function. Meanwhile, selenium is a potent antioxidant that plays a key role in thyroid function.

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load of Mushrooms

The glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) are two classification systems that help evaluate how carb-containing foods affect blood sugar.

They are both popular strategies and widely used in the treatment of chronic diseases like diabetes.

Foods with a low GI will likely raise your blood sugar levels at a slower pace. In contrast, those with a high GI will cause them to spike.

Alternatively, foods can be categorized by their GL, which takes into account a food’s GI, as well as its carb content and serving size.

Similarly to GI, a low GL tells you that a food only slightly affects your blood sugar levels, whereas a high GL indicates a more significant effect.

Although mushrooms are technically fungi, they are considered white vegetables, meaning that they won’t spike your blood sugar levels.

Potential Benefits of Mushrooms for Diabetes Diets

Mushrooms may benefit certain types of diabetes.

  • Research shows that consuming a diet rich in vegetables like mushrooms and other vitamin-rich foods may help protect against gestational diabetes, which affects approximately 14% of pregnancies worldwide and affects both the mother and child.
  • Thanks to their high vitamin B content, mushrooms may also protect against decreased mental function and dementia in older adults with vitamin B deficiencies, as well as those with diabetes who take the drug metformin to control their blood sugar levels.
  • In addition to B vitamins, the main bioactive compounds in mushrooms —polysaccharides — may have anti-diabetic properties.
  • Research in animals with type 2 diabetes shows that polysaccharides may lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin resistance, and reduce pancreatic tissue damage.
  • Plus, the soluble fiber beta glucan — one of the types of polysaccharides found in mushrooms — slows digestion and delays the absorption of sugars, thus controlling your blood sugar levels after a meal.
  • Polysaccharides may also lower blood cholesterol levels, which in turn may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke associated with unmanaged diabetes.

Recipe for Adding Mushrooms to Your Diet

Given the wide variety of mushrooms, there are plenty of ways to add them to your diet, including eating them raw, grilled, roasted, sautéed, or in a sauce or soup.

If you’re looking for new and tasty ways to add them to your meals, try this low carb mushroom and cauliflower rice skillet.

For this recipe you need the following:

  • 1.5 cups (105 grams) of mushrooms, sliced
  • 1.5 cups (200 grams) of cauliflower rice
  • 1 cup (30 grams) of spinach
  • 1/4 cup (40 grams) of onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 celery stick, sliced
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) of vegetable broth
  • Salt, pepper, and soy sauce to taste

Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the onions and celery and cook for 5 minutes. Then add the garlic and cook for a few seconds.

Next, add the mushrooms and sauté until cooked. Then add the cauliflower rice and the rest of the ingredients — minus the spinach — and cook until soft. Lastly, add the spinach and season with salt and pepper before serving.

This recipe serves two and makes a great addition to your lunch or dinner.

Click here to read full article about mushrooms for diabetes diets.