Can people with high blood sugar eat tangyuan?
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
Glutinous rice balls (tangyuan or yuanxiao) are not very suitable for people with high blood sugar. If you really want to eat them, choose plain glutinous rice balls without filling—about the size of a peanut, and without added sugar or oil. Even so, it's best to avoid them altogether. The faster a food we commonly eat is digested, the higher its glycemic index; the slower it is digested, the lower its glycemic index. Glutinous rice is particularly sticky because of its high amylose content.
Once high blood sugar is detected, the first step is to control your diet and avoid foods high in sugar. So, can you eat glutinous rice balls (tangyuan) when you have high blood sugar?
Can people with high blood sugar eat tangyuan?
Glutinous rice balls (tangyuan) or yuanxiao are generally not suitable for people with high blood sugar. If you really want to eat them, choose plain, unfilled small glutinous rice balls about the size of a peanut, without added sugar or oil. Even then, it's best to avoid them altogether. Foods that are digested quickly tend to have a higher glycemic index, while those digested slowly have a lower one. Glutinous rice is sticky due to its high amylose content. Interestingly, hot tangyuan and yuanxiao are easier to digest, whereas cold ones are digested more slowly—yet this does not reduce their blood sugar spike index. Tangyuan and yuanxiao are foods with very high glycemic index and calorie content. Their fillings often contain excessive fat, which greatly stimulates gastric acid secretion. Eating too many on an empty stomach may cause heartburn, acid reflux, and often impair digestive function.
Whether tangyuan or yuanxiao, their high-calorie, high-fat fillings are particularly unhealthy for individuals with high blood lipid levels. Moreover, some manufacturers use animal fats rich in saturated fatty acids to enhance flavor, and some even add plant-based creams high in trans fats, along with various bright artificial colorings. All these factors make such foods unsuitable for dietary health in people managing high blood sugar or high blood lipids.
Individuals with high blood sugar should develop good habits of regular blood glucose monitoring. We hope this answer has been helpful to you. Wishing you a happy life and good health!
