Is Pimento Cheese Good for Diabetics? A Delicious and Nutritious Treat
Pimento cheese is a classic Southern dish that consists of shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos.
It is often served as a spread on crackers, bread, or celery, or as a filling for sandwiches, burgers, or deviled eggs. Pimento cheese is creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet, making it a delicious and versatile treat.
But is pimento cheese good for diabetics? Can people with diabetes enjoy this cheesy delight without worrying about their blood sugar levels?
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and risks of pimento cheese for diabetics and give you some tips on how to enjoy it safely.
Is Pimento Cheese Good for Diabetics?
The answer is yes, pimento cheese can be a good option for diabetics as long as they consume it in moderation and balance it with other healthy foods.
This is because Pimento Cheese is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
However, it is also high in fat and calories, which can increase the risk of weight gain and heart disease.
Also, read is Sugar-Free Jello good for diabetics?
Benefits of Pimento Cheese for Diabetics
Some of the benefits of pimento cheese for diabetics are:
#1 It is high in protein
Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, maintaining muscle mass, and regulating hormones. It can also help you feel full and satisfied for longer, thus reducing cravings and overeating.
Protein can also help lower your blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates.
Pimento cheese provides about 7 grams of protein per 2-tablespoon serving, which is about 14% of the recommended daily intake for most adults.
#2 It is low in carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for your body, but they also raise your blood sugar levels.
If you have diabetes, you need to limit your intake of carbohydrates to avoid hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Pimento cheese contains only 2 grams of carbohydrates per 2-tablespoon serving, which is about 1% of the recommended daily intake for most adults.
#3 It contains healthy fats
Fats are also sources of energy for your body, but they have different effects on your blood sugar levels than carbohydrates.
Fats can help slow down the digestion and absorption of glucose into your bloodstream, which can help stabilize your blood sugar levels.
They can also help you feel full and satisfied for longer.
Pimento cheese contains about 9 grams of fat per 2-tablespoon serving, most of which are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
These are healthy fats that can lower your cholesterol levels, improve your heart health, and reduce inflammation.
#4 It provides vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are important for supporting your immune system, metabolism, vision, bone health, and many other functions.
Pimento cheese contains some vitamins and minerals that may benefit diabetics such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus.
These nutrients can help prevent or treat complications such as anemia, neuropathy, osteoporosis, infections, and kidney damage.
Risks of Pimento Cheese for Diabetics
Some of the drawbacks of pimento cheese for diabetics are:
#1 It is high in calories
Calories are units of energy that your body uses to perform various functions.
However, too many calories can lead to weight gain, which can increase your risk of diabetes complications such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, eye damage, and kidney failure.
Pimento cheese contains about 110 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, which is about 6% of the recommended daily intake for most adults.
#2 It is high in sodium
Sodium is a mineral that helps regulate your fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve impulses.
However, too much sodium can cause water retention, high blood pressure, and kidney damage.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes limit their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day.
Pimento cheese contains about 200 milligrams of sodium per 2-tablespoon serving, which is about 9% of the recommended daily limit.
#3 It contains artificial ingredients and additives
Although pimento cheese is made with natural ingredients such as cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos; some brands may contain artificial ingredients and additives such as preservatives (such as potassium sorbate), colors (such as annatto), flavors (such as natural smoke flavor), thickeners (such as xanthan gum), sweeteners (such as corn syrup), or emulsifiers (such as soy lecithin).
Some of these ingredients may have negative effects on your health; such as causing allergic reactions; digestive issues; inflammation; or hormonal imbalances.
Also, read is Breyers Carb Smart Ice Cream good for diabetics?
Ingredients of Pimento Cheese
The most common ingredients of Pimento Cheese are provided in the table below.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese (shredded) | 2 cups |
| Cream Cheese (softened) | 8 ounces |
| Mayonnaise | 1/2 cup |
| Pimento (diced, drained) | 1 (4 ounce) jar |
| Jalapeno Pepper (seeded and minced) | 1 |
| Garlic Powder | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Ground Cayenne Pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Onion Powder | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Salt And Black Pepper | to taste |
Note: The amount of each ingredient may vary depending on the recipe.
Pros and Cons of Pimento Cheese
Some possible pros and cons of pimento cheese are:
Pros
Cons
Nutrition Facts of Pimento Cheese
The nutrition facts of Pimento Cheese are provided in the table below.
| Nutrition Facts | Amount per 1 oz |
|---|---|
| Calories | 106.3 |
| Total Fat | 8.8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5.6 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 26.6 mg |
| Sodium | 259.4 mg |
| Potassium | 45.9 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 0.5 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0.2 g |
| Protein | 6.3 g |
| Vitamin A | 69.2 μg (8% DV) |
| Vitamin C | 0.7 mg (2% DV) |
| Calcium | 174.1 mg (18% DV) |
| Iron | 0.1 mg (2% DV) |
Note: The amount of each nutrient may vary depending on the recipe.
How to Enjoy Pimento Cheese Wisely
If you want to enjoy pimento cheese as part of your diabetic diet; here are some tips on how to do it wisely:
Summary
Pimento cheese can be a delicious and nutritious treat for diabetics who love cheese. However; it is not a perfect food for everyone. It has its benefits and risks that need to be weighed carefully before eating it.
Pimento cheese can provide some protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that may benefit diabetics.
However, it can also be high in calories, sodium, sugar, carbohydrates, artificial ingredients, and additives that may raise blood sugar levels or harm health.
If you want to eat pimento cheese as part of your diabetic diet; make sure you check with your doctor or dietitian first. They can help you determine how much and how often you can eat it safely based on your individual needs and goals.
Also, make sure you check your blood sugar levels before and after eating pimento cheese. This can help you monitor how it affects your blood sugar levels and adjust your dosage of insulin or medication accordingly.
The Bottom Line
I hope this blog post was helpful and informative for you and it helped you learn whether Pimento Cheese is Good for Diabetics.
If you have any experience with Pimento Cheese and its effects on your blood sugar levels, feel free to share your experience in the comments below.
We would love to hear from you.
Thank you for reading and have a great day!
