Many people have opted for a low-carb diet. But perhaps what they should be looking for is "slow-carb" diet instead.

What are Slow Carbs?
Slow carbs are carbohydrates that digest slowly. They keep people feeling full for a longer time period and also release energy to the bloodstream in a more steady flow. This type of slow-carb diet is also called a low-glycemic-load diet or a low-glycemic-index diet. For people with diabetes, a low-glycemic regimen may be just what the doctor ordered.

What is the Glycemic Index?
In brief, the glycemic index assigns a number to all foods. The number tells how quickly the food is converted to energy in your blood stream. The higher the number, the more quickly the food’s sugar floods your body (high-glycemic foods). The lower the number, the longer it takes for the food to convert to blood sugar (low-glycemic foods). The glycemic load of a food is calculated according to how large a portion of the food is consumed. A food may have a low-glycemic index in small portions, but in large portions, the glycemic load may be greater than desired.

The Low-Glycemic Diet and Diabetes
Eating foods that are low on the glycemic index can greatly benefit people with diabetes. A typical low-glycemic diet includes fruits and vegetables, healthy oils, nuts, beans, fish, lean meats, reduced-dairy products, and whole-grain foods. Foods to be avoided in general include refined grains, white potatoes, sweets, rice, and other foods that are quickly converted into blood glucose.

Foods with a low-glycemic index have been shown to help control type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and improve weight loss. In one study from Children’s Hospital in Boston, patients following a low-glycemic regimen had a reduced risk of heart disease.ⁱ In the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study, scientists found that eating low-glycemic whole grains instead of refined grains can improve insulin sensitivity.ⁱⁱ

Research on the effects of a low-glycemic diet is still underway. However, it seems clear that eating low-glycemic foods is a smart choice not just for people with diabetes, but for everyone. For further information about the glycemic index and a low-glycemic diet, speak to your health care professional.

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ⁱ http://www.cellhealthmakeover.com/low-glycemic-index-diet-food.html

ⁱⁱ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14594783

Glucerna, from Abbott Nutrition, offers delicious foods that help people with diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels naturally.

Glucerna Cereal
Glucerna cereals use a special blend of carbohydrates to keep blood sugar spikes at a minimum. In a clinical study, Glucerna cereal produced a lower blood-glucose response than one of the leading corn flake cereals on the market. Each serving of about 100 calories has no saturated or trans fats. In addition, the whole grains in Glucerna cereals supply 20% of the recommended daily allowance of fiber. Glucerna cereals also contain chromium picolinate to help the insulin in your body work more effectively. Try one of these vitamin-packed varieties today:

• Glucerna Crunchy Flakes ’n Almonds: If you’re a nut lover, you’ll love the honey-coated sliced almonds in this cereal.
• Glucerna Crunchy Flakes ’n Raisins: A classic raisins-and-flakes cereal you and your whole family will love.
• Glucerna Crunchy Flakes ’n Strawberries: Satisfy your sweet tooth with the taste of summer berries.

Glucerna Bars
Glucerna Meal Bars are great as a pick-me-up snack or for an occasional quick lunch when you’re pressed for time. Specially formulated for people with diabetes, each bar’s unique blend of slow-release carbohydrates helps to minimize the blood-glucose response. Each bar contains protein, vitamins, and minerals to supply you with the nutrition your body needs to keep going. With eight delicious flavors, you can have a different bar every day of the week. Glucerna Meal Bars have been awarded Best Taste by ChefsBest™, so enjoy!

• Chocolate Chunk Meal Bar. It’s a great snack to get your chocolate fix in a healthy way.
• Chocolate Peanut Meal Bar. Forget about those peanut candy bars that wreak havoc on your blood sugar...you’ll never miss them after trying one of these.
• Oatmeal Raisin Meal Bar. From the yogurt-flavored coating to the chewy raisins, it’s just as good as those oatmeal cookies you remember from childhood.
• Caramel Nut Snack Bar. A great-tasting treat for caramel lovers.
• Chocolate Caramel Snack Bar. More caramel, paired with rich chocolate.
• Fudge Graham Snack Bar. This crispy bar is a great substitute around the campfire for high-sugar s’mores.

If a meal bar is more than you want, try a Glucerna Mini-Snack Bar. These lactose-free bars take the edge off your hunger and keep your blood sugar levels steady until it’s time for your next meal. It makes a great dessert or movie snack, too. Available in Oatmeal Raisin or Chocolate Peanut.

Dutch Apple Pancake

Serves: 8

Nutrition Information Per Serving (1/6 recipe):
236 cal., 5 g pro., 39 g carbo., 7 g fat, 107mg chol., 162 mg sodium.

Food Exchange: 1 Fruit, 1-1/2 Bread, 1/2 Meat, 1 Fat.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup skim milk
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes or 4 1/2 packets Equal® Sweetener or 3 tablespoons Equal® Spoonful™
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon margarine
• 5 large cooking apples, sliced
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 5 1/2 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes or 18 packets or 3/4 cup Equal® Spoonful™
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 dashes ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup apple cider
• 4 teaspoon cornstarch
• Ground cinnamon

Preparation:

1. Mix eggs, milk, flour, 1-1/2 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes or 4 1/2 packets Equal® Sweetener or 3 tablespoons Equal® Spoonful™, and salt in medium bowl (batter will be slightly lumpy).
2. Heat 1 tablespoon margarine in 12-inch oven-proof skillet until bubbly; pour batter into skillet.
3. Bake pancake in preheated 425*F (220*C) oven 20 minutes; reduce temperature to 350*F (175*C) and bake until crisp and golden, 7 to 10 minutes (do not open oven door during baking). Transfer pancake to large serving plate.
4. Meanwhile, sauté apples in 2 tablespoons margarine in large skillet until apples begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes.
5. Mix in 5 1/2 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes or 18 packets Equal® Sweetener or 3/4 cup Equal® Spoonful™, spices and lemon juice. Add 3/4 cup cider and heat to boiling. Mix cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup cider; add to boiling mixture, stirring until thickened, about 1 minute.
6. Spoon apple mixture into pancake. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Visit www.CooksRecipes.com for many more delicious diabetic recipes.
Recipe provided courtesy of Merisant Corporation ® and the NutraSweet Company, makers of Equal®