The diet can
play an essential role in managing diabetes. Understanding how certain foods
affect insulin and blood sugar levels can help a person make informed choices
about what to eat and when.
A person with diabetes can eat a
balanced, healthful diet without giving up the foods they enjoy. The important
factors in an effective diabetes diet include moderation and careful food
choice to maintain healthful blood sugar levels.
In this
article, we identify some of the best foods for stabilizing insulin and
blood sugar levels. We also look at certain foods a person with diabetes should
avoid or eat only in moderation.
However, it is
important for a person with diabetes to speak to a doctor or dietician before
making any significant dietary changes.
Non-starchy vegetables
These vegetables are an excellent addition to almost any diet,
including those suitable for people with diabetes.
There are two
main types of vegetables: starchy and non-starchy. Starchy vegetables are rich
in carbohydrates, which can raise a person's blood sugar levels.
The American
Diabetes Association recommend eating a minimum of 3–5 servings
of non-starchy vegetables each day. They define a serving as:
·
half a cup of cooked vegetables
·
1 cup of uncooked vegetables
Some examples
of non-starchy vegetables include:
·
carrots
·
bean sprouts
·
baby corn
·
cucumber
·
squash
·
cabbage
·
salad greens, such as arugula,
spinach, and lettuce
The vegetables
are available frozen, canned, or fresh. If a person is not eating them raw, the
best way to prepare vegetables is by roasting or steaming them and adding zero
or minimal fat and salt.
Also, pay
attention to the types of preservatives in prepackaged vegetables. Check
ingredients lists for added salt, sugar, fats, and oils, for example.
Whole-grain foods
Whole grains
offer a more healthful alternative to highly processed or refined grains. They
contain the endosperm, bran, and germ of a grain. Refined grains contain only
the endosperm, offering less nutritional benefit.
The main
difference is that whole grains have more vitamins and minerals, whereas refined grains only
include the starchy part of the grain, which contains fewer nutrients.
Look for
products with 100% whole-grain ingredients. Some popular examples include:
·
crackers
·
breads
·
popcorn
·
brown rice
·
pasta
·
cereals
·
quinoa
·
whole oats or oatmeal
·
cornmeal
A person can
incorporate whole-grain products into meals or snacks to help control blood
sugar levels.
According to
an umbrella review
from 2017, consuming whole grain may help prevent cardiovascular
disease and several types of cancer,
including gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer.
Healthful fats
Some people incorrectly associate all fat content with poor
health. However, some fats help preserve health.
Healthful fats
may be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Omega-3, a fatty acid abundant in oily fish, is one example.
Trans and saturated
fats increase levels of
harmful cholesterol in
the blood. This can contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease
Eating more
healthful fats and fewer unhealthful fats may help lower levels of harmful
cholesterol, improve heart health, and provide better blood sugar control.
Many foods are
rich in unsaturated fats. Some examples include:
·
avocados
·
olive oil
·
nuts and seeds
·
canola oil
A 2013 review suggests
that avocados offer a range of health benefits. They may improve cardiovascular
health, promote weight management, and support good health during the aging
process.
However, the
authors noted that confirming these conclusions will require more research.
Avocados taste
great in salads and dips. They can even add creaminess to deserts.
Also, try
replacing butter with olive oil or coconut oil in recipes.
Here, learn about healthful and unhealthful fats.
Fatty fish,
such as salmon, tend to have high amounts of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Protein
content is particularly healthful for people who have diabetes, as it does not
impact blood sugar. It is filling and provides essential nutrients to help the
body grow and repair.
People who
have diabetes should try adding fatty fish to the diet on at least one day per
week. For people with type 1 diabetes who
are underweight, healthful proteins are an excellent option for safe weight
gain.
As with other
foods, preparation is key. Avoid sugary marinades and try grilling instead of
frying the fish.
Cacao is a
bean-like seed. Grinding these seeds produces a powder that is bitter and full
of nutrients, Manufacturers use it to create chocolate.
Cacao contains
the flavonoid epicatechin, which may help regulate blood sugar levels. A 2017 review pointed
to the findings of several small studies, which suggest that cacao may help
slow the progression of type 2 diabetes and
reduce insulin resistance.
An easy way to
add cacao to the diet is by eating dark chocolate, although too much might
still cause a spike in blood sugar. Consume dark chocolate in moderation. Dark
chocolate contains more cacao than milk chocolate.
When choosing
between brands, people should check the sugar contents. While dark chocolate
tends to contain less sugar than milk chocolate, many well-known manufacturers
add more sugar.
People with
diabetes should limit their chocolate intake to one or two small squares of
dark chocolate per day.
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