It is not unusual for a diabetic patient to revert back to old habits. The food you eat plays a vital role in controlling your diabetes and blood sugar levels. With our busy work schedule, we often neglect our diet. It is important to figure out the best diet for yourself when you have diabetes. Here is a list of all the food you must eat and manage your diabetes. Your lives will not only become healthier but much happier. Have a look at these food items and make them a habit.
Greens Goods
Green leafy vegetables do wonders in keeping your blood sugar level in check. Spinach contains a good quantum of fiber, preventing spike in blood sugar levels. Another green leafy vegetable you must add to your diet is Cabbage. The high fiber content in cabbage helps in keeping the blood stable in diabetes. Kale, another high fiber veggie, takes the longest to digest ensuring that it is not metabolized quickly. This helps to prevent spike in blood sugar level.
Include more and more greens in your diet and see the results yourself.
Healthy Carbohydrates
Yes we are aware that carbohydrates turn into glucose in our body which rises the blood sugar level. But, that does not mean people with diabetes cannot consume carbohydrates. Healthy carbohydrates like whole-grain foods and fruits contain high content of fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. Foods rich in fiber can help the body to slow down absorption of sugar when eaten with sugar in the same food. Eat more of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, legumes, whole grains etc. Avoid less healthy carbohydrates.
Nuts
If you aren’t eating lots of nuts we are going to try to get you started. Nuts
are a super snack food for people with diabetes because they're the total
package — low in carbs and high in protein, fiber, and healthy fat — and they create a feeling of fullness," says Cheryl Mussatto. Walnuts, almonds, pistachios and cashews are diabetes-friendly snack which not only control
the blood sugar level but also help in maintaining your cholesterol.
Seeds
Pumpkin seeds, linseeds/flaxseeds and chia seeds have protective effects for people with diabetes. These seeds contain glucose-lowering ingredients which help diabetic patients to maintain blood sugar level and prevents heart diseases. Add these seeds to your breakfast cereals, vegetables, rice or yoghurt.
Garlic
Along with its delicious taste, it also has several health benefits. The scientists found that moderate amounts of garlic supplements could offer benefits to diabetes patients, and that raw or cooked garlic or aged garlic extract can help to regulate blood glucose and potentially stop or lower the effects of some diabetes complications, as well as fighting infections, reducing bad cholesterol and aiding blood flow.
Flavorful Drinks
No doubt plain water is always good for our body but water infused with fruits and vegetables is more appealing. Add lemon, cucumber or other fruits and vegetables to your water. This helps to cut down carbohydrate intake.
Little Fats
This is a common myth that all kinds of fats add more calories. False. There are fats that we should avoid and then there are also fats good for us. Fats slow down the absorption of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, thus promoting blood sugar stabilization. The key is knowing how to tell good fat from bad fat. Best options for sources of fats are avocado, olives, plant-based oil, edamame, fish etc.