Kirti Shah Kirti Shah Asked 7 months ago

Are parsnips good for diabetics?

I'm always looking for new vegetables to add to my diet since I have diabetes. I saw parsnips at the grocery store today and wondered about them. Are parsnips considered a good vegetable option for diabetics?

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5 answers

Nitin Patel Nitin Patel Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago
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Parsnips are a root vegetable, which means they have a relatively high glycemic index compared to other non-starchy vegetables. While they do contain good fiber and vitamins, they can cause a spike in blood glucose if eaten in large portions. I would suggest substituting them with carrots or radishes, or consuming them very sparingly.

Meera Sen Meera Sen Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

I totally get it, trying to figure out which vegetables are actually safe when you have diabetes is so exhausting. Parsnips look healthy like carrots, but they actually have quite a bit of starch and sugar. It is probably safer to limit them and stick to green leafy vegetables instead.

Vikram Malhotra Vikram Malhotra Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago

Let's be clear: parsnips have a glycemic index of around 85, which is quite high for a vegetable. If you are diabetic, they are definitely not the best choice. You are much better off choosing broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach to keep your blood sugar stable.

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Rahul Gupta Rahul Gupta Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

I was thinking of adding parsnips to my soup, but then I read they have a pretty high glycemic index and now I am too scared to try them. Has anyone else with type 2 diabetes tried parsnips? Did they cause a major spike in your sugar levels, or is a small amount okay?

Saraswati Devi Saraswati Devi Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Parsnips are not even easily available or cheap in India, so why waste money on imported root vegetables that might raise your sugar levels? Stick to affordable, locally grown vegetables like bottle gourd (lauki) or bitter gourd (karela) which are proven to be excellent for diabetes and won't require extra blood tests.

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