Pecan Pie and Diabetes - Is it Good For Diabetics
Introduction
A traditional pecan pie is made with pecan nuts, egg, butter, and sugar filling. In pecan pie recipes, salt and vanilla are common flavorings. Some of these ingredients, such as sugar, can cause glucose spikes. Let’s discuss the details.
Glycemic Index and Carbohydrates
Pecan pie is high in carbs: 52.2 grams per 100g, and all carbs are net carbs. Pecan pie has no fiber. The carb content comes from sugar.
The total amount of carbs you consume impacts your blood sugar levels after you eat, so it is better to monitor your carbohydrate intake carefully. An additional problem is that pecan pie can cause a transient increase in glucose levels, also known as glucose spikes. However, in diabetics, this spike can be more often dangerous when it happens frequently. So, it's best that diabetics consume low glycemic index foods.
It is important to note that pecan pie falls in the range of 20% of foods as a source of carbs. It has an equal number of net carbs as a bar of chocolate. Pecan pie has a glycemic index equal to 59, which can raise blood sugar levels.
In summary, if you have prediabetes or diabetes, try to avoid pecan pie, and try healthy dessert alternatives (1).
To find glycemic index values for more than 350 foods, visit the Glycemic index chart page.
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