Should diabetics drink soup before or after meals?

May 16, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
If people with diabetes choose meat-based soups such as spare rib soup, chicken soup, or crucian carp soup, these foods can provide the body with calories and carbohydrates, and also increase satiety; it is recommended to consume them before meals. If they opt for lighter, grease-cutting soups such as tofu soup, vegetable soup, or corn soup, these types of soups generally have a low glycemic index and usually do not cause a rise in post-meal blood glucose levels.

For diabetic patients, if choosing meat-based soups, it is recommended to drink them before meals. If opting for soups that help cut greasiness, they can be consumed after meals. The specific details are as follows:

1. Drinking before meals

Meat-based soups include rib soup, chicken soup, crucian carp soup, etc. These foods provide the body with calories, carbohydrates, and can enhance satiety. It is advisable to drink them before meals to reduce overall food intake. Additionally, they supply energy to support normal metabolic functions.

2. Drinking after meals

When meals are particularly greasy, it's suitable to consume light, grease-cutting soups afterward, such as tofu soup, vegetable soup, or corn soup. These types of soups generally have a low glycemic index and typically do not cause significant post-meal blood sugar spikes.

Diabetic patients should pay attention to their daily diet, focusing primarily on low-sugar foods and avoiding excessive consumption of high-sugar items. They should also actively follow medical treatment: patients with type 1 diabetes usually require insulin injections, while those with type 2 diabetes should take medications such as metformin hydrochloride sustained-release tablets or glibenclamide tablets as prescribed by their doctor.