Maya Subramanian Maya Subramanian Asked 7 months ago

Can diabetics eat grits?

I was watching an international cooking show and they were talking about grits for breakfast. I'm looking for new healthy options for my diabetic father. Is this something that would be suitable for diabetics, or is it better to stick to traditional Indian breakfasts?

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5 answers

Pritha Banerjee Pritha Banerjee Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago
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It is so incredibly hard when you have to overthink every single meal, I remember crying in the grocery aisle once. Grits are made from corn and can spike blood sugar quite quickly because they are highly processed. Please don't feel disheartened, but it might be safer to avoid them or have them very rarely.

Aditya Verma Aditya Verma Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Grits have a relatively high glycemic index because they are a refined corn product, which means they can cause rapid spikes in glucose levels. While some people manage with small portions, it's highly recommended to consult your doctor or an endocrinologist to see how it fits into your specific meal plan.

Divya Nair Divya Nair Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Dealing with insulin resistance from PCOS has taught me to be very careful with refined grains. Grits are heavily processed and low in fiber, which usually leads to quick sugar spikes. I try to avoid them, but if you do eat them, pairing them with plenty of fiber and protein might help.

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Siddharth Roy Siddharth Roy Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

I totally get it, sometimes you just want to enjoy a warm, comforting bowl of breakfast without worrying about numbers. Sadly, grits can be quite tough on blood sugar because they lack fiber. Maybe try steel-cut oats or daliya instead for a similar comforting feel but with much better sugar control.

Ananya Shah Ananya Shah Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

If you look at the macronutrient breakdown on health apps, regular grits are mostly simple carbohydrates with very little protein. I tested my post-meal sugar after eating them once, and the spike was quite sharp. If you must have them, track your blood sugar after 2 hours to see the exact impact.

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