If you suffer from diabetes or other similar blood sugar disorders, you may have come across the notion that you need to avoid all food products that contain flour. But semolina flour could possibly be an exception to that rule, since it has a lower impact on your sugar levels than most other flours.
Semolina flour is obtained by milling hard durum wheat kernels. Unlike durum flour which is obtained from the same source, however, semolina flour is coarser and harder. This gives semolina flour higher fiber content than durum flour.
This higher fiber content helps to regulate bowel movements, and keeps your stomach feeling full. Semolina flour is also rich in beta-carotene, which helps to boost the immune system. It also has the advantage of being low-calorie, zero-cholesterol and low-fat.
Before you can understand how semolina flour affects blood sugar, you need to understand the term “glycemic index” and how it affects sugar levels in your blood. This is a key consideration if you suffer from blood sugar disorders such as diabetes.
The term Glycemic Index (GI) refers to a rank assigned to foods depending on how they affect your blood sugar levels. Foods, especially carbohydrates, that are easier to digest and release their sugars quickly in the blood stream cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. Such foods are assigned a high GI. In contrast, slower-to-digest foods release their sugars much more slowly and this has a lower impact on your blood sugar. Such foods are assigned a low GI.
Because the Glycemic Index of foods indicate their effect on sugar levels in your blood, diabetics need to keep an eye on the GI of the food that they are eating. As far as possible, they need to stick to low GI foods, consume medium GI in moderation, and avoid high GI foods altogether.
Semolina flour counts among the list of foods that have a low-to-medium GI. This means that diabetics are able to consume it in moderation.
Because semolina flour has a moderate effect on blood sugar levels, if you are diabetic you will have to watch your portions carefully and control the frequency with which you eat foods based on semolina flour. Depending on the severity of your condition, you might have to combine foods based on semolina flour with other foods in order to balance out the effect of semolina flour on your blood sugar.
As a rule of thumb, semolina flour is found in most commercial pastas, unless the ingredient list states otherwise. In addition, you can also find semolina flour in baked goods such as cakes and bread in Mediterranean cuisine. You can buy semolina flour from any large grocery store or natural food store.
Despite the fact that semolina flour is a low-to-medium GI food, it still affects your blood sugar. Whether you are diabetic or not, you need to consult your doctor regarding any changes in your diet, including your use of semolina flour. Even when you do not suffer from diabetes or any other blood sugar disorder, keep your portion sizes reasonable and as far as possible combine semolina flour with protein-based foods that will help to negate the impact on sugar levels. Also remember that semolina flour is high in gluten content, and so it should be avoided if you suffer from gluten allergies or wheat sensitivities.
You need to be extra careful about semolina flour in case you are diabetic. Your doctor would be able to best advise you whether or not it is safe for you to consume semolina flour or not. The answer is not as simple as you might think, since your doctor will factor in your type of diabetes and your current blood sugar level before allowing you to consume it. If semolina flour is off-limits for you, your doctor may be able to suggest alternatives for your condition.