Are Kidney Beans Bad for a Diabetic?

Kidney beans are part of the plant family Phaseolus vulgaris, otherwise known as common beans. Rich in protein, natural fiber and various vitamins and minerals, kidney beans are a healthful food to include in a diabetic's nutrition plan. In fact, the American Diabetes Association has designated kidney beans as a "super food," due to the fact that they provide you with several nutrients of particular importance when you are living with diabetes mellitus 2.

Slow Carbohydrates

Kidney beans contain a significant amount of carbohydrates in the form of starch, which breaks down into sugar in your digestive tract. You need not worry about kidney beans causing a sudden jump in your blood sugar level, however, because they contain slow carbohydrates. This means the carbohydrates break down and are absorbed slowly from your intestines, which dampens the effect on your blood sugar level. A cup of cooked kidney beans contains approximately 39 g of carbohydrates and 0.6 g of sugars.

Fiber

The Carbohydrates in Kidney Beans

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Kidney beans are an outstanding source of dietary fiber, with approximately 13 g in a cup of cooked beans. Fiber is an important nutrient for everyone, but it's particularly important for diabetics. Dietary fiber helps lower your blood cholesterol level by binding the fat in your intestines, leading to its excretion in your stool. Additionally, many long-term diabetics develop problems with intestinal slowing due to disease-related nerve damage, often leading to chronic constipation. Eating fiber-rich foods, such as kidney beans, helps keep your bowels moving regularly.

Lean Protein

Kidney beans are a nearly fat-free source of dietary protein, with approximately 15 g per 1-cup serving. Substituting kidney beans for animal-derived protein in some of your meals is a heart-healthy choice.

Potassium

Renal Diabetic Diet for Breakfast

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Your body uses the mineral potassium for many functions, including maintaining water balance. Inadequate dietary potassium increases your risk of high blood pressure, which is particularly dangerous if you have diabetes. High blood pressure is a contributing factor to heart and kidney disease -- two long-term complications of diabetes. Therefore, it's important to do everything possible to keep your blood pressure under control, including consuming sufficient dietary potassium. Kidney beans contain a substantial amount of potassium, offering 690 mg per cup of cooked beans.

Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in the ability of your cells to respond to the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin. Therefore, adequate intake of this mineral is fundamentally important if you have Type 2 diabetes. A cup of cooked kidney beans provides you with approximately 75 mg of magnesium. The recommended daily intake of magnesium is 320 mg for women and 420 mg for men. If you take a water pill for high blood pressure, you may require additional magnesium. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your magnesium intake.