Experts suggest that for diabetic patients, consuming tangyuan should be done in moderation to avoid excessive calorie intake and worsening of the condition. Additionally, there are several other precautions to take when eating tangyuan.
Don't Eat Tangyuan for Breakfast
Many people like to eat tangyuan for breakfast, which is not advisable. As tangyuan is mainly made of glutinous rice, it often contains a large amount of oil and sugar. With fillings like red bean paste, sesame, and sugar, it is high in calories and difficult to digest. Eating too much can increase the burden on the digestive system. The filling is high in sugar, and glutinous rice can raise blood sugar levels more quickly than regular rice or flour. Furthermore, morning is when the body's digestive function is weakest. Diabetic patients who overindulge may experience nausea, acid reflux, and heartburn. Therefore, it is best to eat tangyuan between meals.
The "Three Steps" for Eating Tangyuan
Before eating, blood sugar should be monitored. If blood sugar control is not ideal, tangyuan should not be consumed.
Don't overindulge. The key to eating tangyuan is moderation. It is best to eat boiled tangyuan; fried tangyuan is not recommended as it adds more oil to an already oily food. Additionally, it is important to pair it with vegetables and reduce the amount of staple food to lower the glycemic index.
After eating, engage in appropriate exercise to aid digestion. Blood sugar should also be monitored two hours after the meal.
"Sugar-Free" Doesn't Mean Truly Sugar-Free
Currently, there are "sugar-free" tangyuan on the market. Some diabetic patients mistakenly believe they can eat them without worry, even having them as an extra snack. In reality, "sugar-free" tangyuan only means they do not contain sucrose, not that they are completely free of sugar, nor do they have a blood sugar-lowering effect. Tangyuan is still considered a staple food and dessert. Consuming too many calories will inevitably cause a sharp rise in blood sugar. Especially for diabetic patients, even "sugar-free" tangyuan should not be eaten excessively. In severe cases, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis and coma.