Diabetes is a chronic condition which can be managed with healthy eating. The main goal of food is to maintain your sugar level and not cause excessive spikes and falls. With the right diet, it is much easier to manage your sugar levels. Therefore, diabetes and healthy eating go hand-in-hand.
A diabetic diet should ideally be high in fiber, low in carbs and a non-greasy one. Some food items might be more beneficial than the others when it comes to managing your diabetic condition. We have curated the following list for you-
Superfoods for Diabetes and Healthy Eating
Here is a list of food items that are beneficial for diabetics and those looking for a healthy lifestyle:
- Avocados
Avocados have healthy fat. Avocados have roughly about 20 types of vitamins and minerals. Consuming healthy fats keeps you full for a longer duration. - Walnuts
Walnuts should be your supreme choice as it combines proteins, fibre and healthy fats. Switch your packet of wafers with this and reduce your risk of heart diseases and diabetes. - Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are high in good fatty acids. Lack of magnesium leads to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the leading cause of diabetes. Pumpkin seeds can be added to salads as dressing or just consumed as a handful. - Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have been trending in for people of all ages at the moment. Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, fibre, iron and calcium. 1 ounce chia seeds = 10g fibre. You can sprinkle this on top of your salad or dessert and achieve that extra crunch. - Ginger
Ginger is anti-inflammatory and can help reduce the risk of diabetes and long term complications. Ginger is known to reduce fasting blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. You can add ginger to your tea. - Cinnamon
Cinnamon helps lower blood sugar levels. You can add cinnamon to roasted carrots, or your sweet potatoes. You can even sprinkle some over your tea or milk. - Spinach
Spinach is one of the best sources of potassium. Potassium deficiency has been linked to risk of diabetes and related complications. One cup of banana has 539 milligrams of potassium whereas spinach has 839 milligrams. - Tomatoes
Tomatoes are low glycemic index fruits. As per studies, consuming 1 -1.5 medium size tomatoes on a daily basis helps reduce blood pressure. What else? Tomatoes give you good skin. - Oats
One cup oats = approx. 27g of carbs. This makes oats ideal for your consumption. Oats are also rich in fiber and have low glycemic index. - Beans
They are the most nutritious food choice as they are high in fiber as well as protein.
Read More : Jackfruit Flour Recipes for Diabetics
People with diabetes need to watch out for the glycemic index in the food they consume. Foods that claim low GI help raise blood sugar levels steadily as compared to ones with high glycemic index. Raising blood sugars slowly means the food will keep you fuller for longer.
You also need to monitor your sugar levels from time to time. The best way to do that is using aglucometer– a self blood glucose/sugar monitoring device that helps you check sugar patterns even on the go.
