Short Answer: Coconut milk is bad for diabetes. Because it has saturated fats and a high glycemic index and they can raise your blood sugar levels and your cholesterol levels.
Diabetes is a condition that affects your pancreas and your blood sugar levels.
In diabetes, your body either does not produce enough insulin or does not use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take in glucose from the blood and use it for energy.
This can lead to various health problems, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, heart disease, and stroke.
One of the key factors in managing diabetes is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood sugar levels, which can impact your diabetes symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage diabetes, you should consume fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes and avoid sugar-rich foods like sweets, sodas, and pastries.
Now, coconut milk is a type of milk obtained from the meat of a ripe coconut.
People usually use it for cooking, baking, or making smoothies.
Coconut milk is not a good option for diabetes because it contains saturated fats and has a high glycemic index.
The glycemic index measures how much some foods and drinks raise your blood sugar when compared to pure glucose.
Coconut milk has a glycemic index of 97, which is very high.
A 100g serving of coconut milk can give you 23.8g of fat, 2.34g of net carbs, and 2.29g of protein.
This amounts to 230 calories, 86% of which come from fat.
Saturated fat can raise your LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol levels, which can increase your risk for heart disease.
And having diabetes already makes you more likely to get heart disease. So you do not want to raise that risk even further.
Net carbs are the total carbs minus the fiber.
They are the carbs that affect your blood sugar levels.
Coconut milk has a low glycemic load, which means it will take a long time to raise your blood sugar level.
But eventually, the level will rise.
And high blood sugar levels can damage your organs and blood vessels over time.
Protein is essential for building and repairing your tissues, muscles, and organs.
It also helps you feel full and satisfied.
However, too much protein can strain your kidneys, especially if you have diabetes.
And some sources of protein, like coconut milk, can also be high in fat and calories.
Furthermore, coconut milk is a dairy alternative and dairy alternatives are not recommended for diabetes.
Because, they can contain added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or other ingredients that can affect your blood sugar levels.
They can also lack some of the nutrients that regular milk provides, such as calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B.
That’s why I suggest you limit your coconut milk intake to avoid possible complications.
Stick to no more than 2 cups of coconut milk product daily to minimize the effects on your blood sugar levels and your heart health.
Also, you shouldn’t drink coconut milk if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or kidney problems to prevent worsening your condition.
Because coconut milk can increase your cholesterol levels, your blood pressure, and your protein intake.
You can buy fresh coconut milk in your local market or can order it from online. Always choose unsweetened and organic coconut milk.
Because sweetened and processed coconut milk can have more sugar, calories, and additives than fresh coconut milk.
You can store coconut milk in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing diabetes effectively.
I always recommend my diabetes patients to follow a diabetes-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.