Can a diabetic eat tamale? is not a common question especially in places like mexico where it’s eaten as a comfort food.
However, if you’re diabetic and enjoy Mexican food or tamale pie during holy week.
Please pay attention.
I’m sure If you’re like me you have had the following questions in your mind right?
- Are tamale bad for diabetics?
- Do tamale raise blood pressure?
- Are tamale hearts healthy?
- How many tamale can I eat a day?
- What are the side effects of eating too many tamale?
- Can I eat tamale made by XLNT foods?
If you’ve asked this question it shows you are not like most people.
It shows you’re special, because you want to avoid high blood sugar level.
After you’ve read this article to the end, here’s what I want you to have.
- How using lard and corn substitute can reduce risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
- A single ingredient substitute that can make tamale healthy for even Type II diabetics.
- How to spot unhealthy tamale by asking two simple questions.
- 4 easy tips to cook healthy tamale…this will reduce carb, saturated fats and sugar by 88%.
- Why lard in tamale could increase your risk of hearts disease and high blood pressure.
- Facts about tamales that’ll amaze your friends and families when you tell them.
If all this seems like info that will empower a diabetic to eat healthy tamale.
Don’t gloss over it.
Please share to help other diabetic who are not as smart as you to read this right now
However, before we do, let me answer the question; can a diabetic eat tamales?
Can a diabetic eat tamale?
No, diabetics should not eat tamale because it dough is made from nixtamalized corn, which digest to simple sugar and raise blood sugar level fast which leads to diabetes complications.
But that’s not all.
Tamales are made using lard.
Lard contains saturated and trans fats that are not great for heart health.
But there’s more.
If you’re a diabetic please write this down.
You need polyunsaturated and
monounsaturated fats in your diets..
Heres why
It decrease the risk of type ii diabetes and it’s complications source.
Some tamales are even made unhealthy using sweeteners and honey which increase risk of high blood sugar.
If you continue reading this article:
I’ll reveal tips and secrets to spot unhealthy tamales in store.
And that’s not all.
Plus, how to cook healthy tamale using simple ingredients substitutes.
And much more.
Here’s facts that will amaze your friends and families, but also trigger nostalgic feeling.
Robert Johnson song “they’re red hot” was a song dedicated to tamale lovers across the United States.
Can a Type II diabetic eat tamale?
No, Type II diabetic should not eat tamale because it contains high fats and high sugar that can raise blood sugar level quickly.
However, if you love eating tamale you can eat tamale prepared with substitute ingredients, and not traditional prepared tamale.
For type II diabetics, please pay attention.
If you have
- high blood pressure,
- heart and kidney disease please read carefully.
Stay away from eating tamale because of its high saturated fats and carbs,
Here’s why.
It increases your risk of stroke hearts and kidney disease.
Here’s tips to help you eat tamale for people who eat them occasionally
- Eating tamale with low fat, low sugar content,
- Reduce serving size
- Combine tamale, a high carb food with lots of high fiber high protein meals.
If you get nothing else from this blog post but this I promise it’s worth your time.
Here’s my tamale math equations you can share to millions of type II diabetics, get ready.
tamale are equal to “No es bueno” because it will spike blood sugar levels.
Here’s a piece of trivia to amaze your friends with.
In 2002 in Indio California tamale has two Guinness world record as the largest cooking festival and the largest tamale ever made source
Is there lots of sugar in tamale?
The short answer to this question is Yes most traditional tamale contain between 6-11g of sugar per serving. However, this Depends on the type of dough and fillings used in its preparation.
Most traditional tamale are filled with artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
Here’s why.
This is to enhance its taste, and increase shelf life of these snacks.
Also sauce used when eating tamale could also lead to an increase in the amount of sugar.
These artificial sweeteners add extra carbs and fats to tamale leading to blood sugar spikes.
This is the reason why diabetics have to ask questions before buying tamale,
But there’s more.
Before you finish reading this article I’ll show you the tips and questions to ask.
Plus other substitutes to use to make tamale healthy.
I just reveal an important diabetes education make sure you don’t gloss over it.
Can tamale raise blood sugar?
The short answer to this question is Yes tamale raise blood sugar because it’s made with mixtamalized corn(refined grains), and refined grains raise blood sugar level.
Food made with refined grains should be eaten in limited amounts by diabetics to prevent blood sugar spikes.
but that’s not all.
Here’s tips to help prevent blood sugar spikes.
- Eat tamale with high fiber resistant starch to help reduce blood sugar spikes.
- Reduce serving size to small quantities.
- Combine tamale with high fiber high protein.
- Use low sugar low fat sauce when eating tamale.
A little trivia for diabetics.
Do you know Zwolle in Louisiana celebrate tamale fiestas every year in October?
How many net carbs are in tamale?
A tamale contains between 11g-29 grams of carbs.The amount of carbs in tamale depends on the filling and dough used.
However, the total amount of net carbs depends on the lard used, meats and other ingredients added.
Here’s information to help diabetes management.
The total amount of carbs is usually influenced when added sugar and preservatives are used.
If you eat potatoes please don’t go without checking my article about potatoes and blood sugar spikes.
A piece of trivia.
Although tamale is a spany mesoAmerican dish made from masa
Do you know that in Mississippi Delta,African Americans develop a spicy variety called hot tamale.
Here’s the difference.
They substitute cornmeal for masa, and banana leaves for corn husks.
How many tamale should you eat in a day?
tamale have lots of carbs and sugar and should be limited to 1-2 per day, However its carb content depends on dough and filling use in its preparation.
Also to help reduce the effects of the carbs and sugar:
Tamale should be combined with high fiber,high protein meals
But that’s not all.
Also tamale should be eating in smaller quantities spread over time than eating once.
Starch resistance dough should be used while pork fillings replace with chili pepper
Like a broken record, let me repeat.
Sauces used in eating tamale should be low carb low sodium varieties.
What happens if you eat too many tamale?
Eating too many tamale can result indigestion and diarrhea because tamale contains low amount of fiber
But there’s more.
tamale can result in weight gain because it’s calories and fat rich, and can raise blood sugar. But that’s not all.
Talames also increase risk of high blood pressure and hypertension because of its high amount of lard and sodium used in its preparation.
Do tamale raise blood pressure?
The short answer to this question is Yes tamale can raise blood sugar level because it contains 760 mg of sodium which is more than daily recommended sodium by the American Diabetes Association.
This is important for Type II diabetics as too much sodium increases risk of stroke hypertension and heart disease.
If you get nothing else from this blog post but this then it’s worth every second you spend reading this blog.
You can help thousands of people with diabetes by sharing this post.
Do tamale raise blood cholesterol?
The short answer to this question is yes, tamale will raise blood cholesterol level because traditional tamale are high in saturated fats and lards.
Most traditional tamale sold in restaurants contain lots of sodium and fats which increases risk of heart disease.
If you’re buying tamale in restaurants please pay attention.
Check the food labels to make sure it’s low sugar low sodium varieties as most are made using added sugar and preservatives.
These added preservatives can spike blood sugar level and cholesterol level
Are tamale hearts healthy?
The short answer to this question is No, tamale are not heart healthy because traditional tamale are prepared with lard which contains lots of saturated fats and cholesterol and can increase risk of heart disease, hypertension and stroke.
Diabetes and those at risk of stroke, heart kidney or hypertension should avoid eating tamale made with lard.
Here’s why, it’s because lard is pork butt and contains unhealthy lipids and cholesterol which increase risk of heart kidney and high blood pressure.
tamale are prepared using lots of sodium which increases risk of stroke hypertension, heart and kidney disease, But that’s not all.
Diabetics should also look out for low sodium varieties of tamale when eaten outside and I’m restaurants.
Are tamale good for weight loss?
The short answer to this question is No, tamale contain lots of carb and sugar, and are not great for weight loss.
As you’re well aware…
The two simple ways to lose weight is to:
- Reduce carb intake through eating, or exercise to burn excess carbs isn’t that right?
Come let’s reason together shall we
tamale contain lots of carbs and sugar, right?
And to lose weight we need to reduce carb and sugar, right?
How would eating more carb and sugar make you lose weight?
Hope you see where we are going Right?
If you get nothing else from this post but only these tips, then ,
You’ve gotten an important diabetes education that will last for a long while.
In fact eating more tamale would lead to weight gain
Read my post about pizza and hot dogs for diabetics as it’ll reveal secret manufacturers would wish diabetics ignore.
Disadvantage of eating tamale
These are the following disadvantage associated with eating tamale
- High blood pressure
- Increase risk of heart disease
- Weight gain
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
All these disadvantages are due to its high amount of sodium, carbs, sugar, and unsaturated fats present in tamale.
Diabetics are advice to seek tamale with
low sodium, low sugar, low carb and without unhealthy saturated fats.
This is why after reading this post I urge you to explore my post about bacon, slim Jim and beef jerky for diabetics, and here’s why.
It’ll empower you to take control of your blood sugar, while eating healthy, tasty and delicious alternatives.
These are Secret millions of diabetes wishes they could find.
What to look out for when buying tamale?
These are the tips to apply when buying tamale in stores or restaurants to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol level.
- Quit buying tamale prepared with lard as it contains high amount of fats and unsaturated
- Always choose tamale with low sodium low calorie varieties
- Avoid tamale that contains added sugar as it increase risk of blood sugar spikes
- Choose alternative to traditional tamale like chicken tamale because they contain low amounts of saturated fats.
- Ask for tamale made with high fiber whole wheat flour instead of corn dough
- Tip when buying from a street vendor
Examine the appearance to make sure there’s no molds, tamale are generally yellow, and not pink.
If it turns pink note it’s moldy and it’s a sure sign of food spoilage
4 simple tips for preparing healthy tamale?
If you’re try to prepare diabetic friendly tamale here are four tips to help you
- Reduce blood sugar spikes
- Reduce blood cholesterol
- Reduce risk to heart attack and high blood pressure.
Here are four simple tips and ingredients to help eat healthy tamale.
- Replace pork with a lean protein from animal sources like chicken or turkey breast or plant beans and other vegetables.
If you’re vegetarian, you can decide to make vegetarian tamale using low fat low sodium cheese, pinto beans, serrano pepper, cilantro and guacamole.
- lard should be replaced with vegetable oils (especially olive oil).
MOST people make the mistake of using vegetable shortening instead of lard.
Lard and vegetable shorteners should not be used because they contain saturated unhealthy fats and lipids which increases blood cholesterol level
- Pork dripping should be substitute with chili peppers or cilantro, thyme and guacamole to increase the flavor and give it a nice aroma
- Dough should be replaced with flour made with high fiber and high resistance starch rather than corn.
This is because corn has a high glycemic index and can easily spike blood sugar levels.
Wrap up on can a diabetic eat tamale
If you have read this far I’m sure you can answer the question: can diabetics eat tamale? To anyone who’s diabetic right?
I congratulate you for reading this far because you’re honest, and sincere to know all about eating tamale and as a diabetic.
You and I can make a difference by empowering thousands of diabetics asking; can a diabetic eat tamale?
As you’re well aware, with great power comes great responsibility, and here’s how.
You can share this post to diabetes forums and groups to empower them and reduce anxiety.
Here’s a summary of all we have discussed so far, and how you can help thousands of diabetics who are not smart as you to be reading this right now.
- I’ve shown you two simple questions to ask when buying tamale and spot unhealthy tamale.
- I show you that lard use in tamale can increases risk of heart attack and what to use I instead is olives oil
- I show that the best 4 possible way to make healthy tamale is by substitute lard, corn dough, and reduce saturated fats to 88%
- We covered how eating tamale too much can lead to complications, plus what to do instead.
- Tips for diabetics to cook diabetics and heart friendly tamale by substituting ingredients.
If these tips empower, teach or remind you of something that will make living with diabetes without anxiety, please share the post.
Take a step to share this post while it’s fresh in your mind now?
Remember you’re diagnosed, you’re not defeated.
Cara Becca.