Most people who are diabetic understand the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. The consequences of uncontrolled diabetes is severe, with abscesses and loss of circulation. Thankfully one of the most powerful medications for diabetics is food! Check out the top 10 power foods for diabetes and as always, check with your doctor before making any dietary changes.
Apples are full of fiber and flavor with less sugar than many packaged products. Eating foods with high fiber can cut the risk of cardiovascular disease, a common diabetes complication. The fiber will also help keep you fuller longer, which can cut the chances of bad snack choices.
Nuts are high in calories, but also high in fiber and protein. Eating a serving of nuts daily can help cut bad cholesterol. If you’re adding them to recipes, here’s a tip: toast the nuts first for maximum flavor. Simply place your nuts on a baking tray in an oven preheated to 350 degrees. Take them out after five minutes, or earlier if they start to get fragrant. Nuts go from toasty to burnt quickly, so be sure to watch closely.
This popular vegetable is a great choice for diabetics. Low on the glycemic scale, these little spears pack a lot of flavor for few calories. Serve them by simply steaming for a few minutes and drizzling on a little lemon juice. One interesting fact about asparagus is that “proper manners” says you should eat them with your fingers, not a fork and knife.
This watery vegetable is a delicious side dish to spicy food. It has 0 gylcemic index, so feel free to eat as much as you like. Be careful with pickles, as the brine is commonly high in sugar. Look for low sugar varieties in your supermarket.
Oatmeal is a great choice for breakfast. Many people consider this a restricted food, because of the high carbohydrates. Steel-cut oats are a great choice because of their unrefined nature. They take a while to cook because of all the fiber. Soak them overnight in plenty of water so quick cooking in the morning.
The Diabetes Association considers beans to be one serving of protein and one serving of vegetable. This is a great choice when craving carbohydrates. Add beans to salads, salsas, and soups. Chickpeas bake to a great snack texture and are incredibly healthy.
Fruit might be a food that is restricted to you because of the high amounts of sugar. If you find you can have some fruit, berries are a great choice. They are high in fiber and lower in sugar than many different fruits.
Fish is a great choice for protein. It is full of Omega 3’s, which can help lower triglycerides. The good oils are also very heart friendly and help promote good circulation. Try grilling salmon this summer while the weather is still warm.
Chicken is another great choice for protein. There is very little fat but it is packed with protein. Many people like to eat chicken with sauces and gravy. Be careful, because that’s where the sugars will hide. Make smart choices with sugar free ketchup and other low sugar products.
Non-fat Greek yogurt is an excellent choice for any time of the day. It is packed with protein and is very versatile. Add a sugar free sweetener, granola, and berries for a great breakfast.
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