Sunday, November 13, 2011

10 Foods that diabetics SHOULD eat


If you or a loved one receives a diagnosis of diabetes, this is nothing less than a complete life change. Diabetics must be mindful of their blood sugar levels to keep their disease in check. One of the most important parts of doing so is watching what you eat. You want to ensure that you are getting your fruits and vegetables, along with plenty of lean protein. Some foods can be added to your diet to help keep diabetes under control - keep reading to see ten foods which can be helpful to diabetics.
Two of the best fruits: Apples and Pomegranates.
Diabetics are typically told not to eat any white foods. However, one exception is apples. They can help reduce the body’s need for insulin and they have a lot of pectin, which helps the body to detoxify. This makes apples an especially good food for diabetics.
Pomegranates are very popular in the Middle East, and they have been getting a lot of attention here in the states lately. Part of that attention is due to the fact that researchers have found that the sugar in the Pomegranates does not affect the blood sugar. Another benefit found in the study is that diabetics who drank 6oz of pomegranate juice a day for 3 months decreased their risk for atherosclerosis.
A couple of spices: Cinnamon and Garlic.
Cinnamon is another diabetic wonder food. This spice contains MHCP which gives fat cells new life, helping them respond to insulin and help get rid of the glucose in the blood.
Garlic is also very helpful for diabetics. This food can help keep diabetes under control by lowering blood sugar levels.
Best breakfast food: Oatmeal.
We all know that diabetics are supposed to stay away from carbs, but oatmeal is a good carb to eat. Just don’t get sweetened oatmeal and you’ll actually be doing something good for yourself. Oatmeal contains a lot of fiber and digests slowly, keeping blood sugar levels stable; this effect has also been shown to persist.
The best vegetables: Green beans, Spinach and Broccoli.
These three vegetables all contain lots of fiber and are low in carbohydrates. They are thus very good choices for diabetics. It’s alright to have potatoes, peas and corn on occasion, but these vegetables are starchy, which means they have a lot of carbohydrates. You should eat them sparingly, while loading up on green leafy vegetables.
The must have in a diabetic diet: Protein.
Diabetics should have a diet which is between 12% and 20% protein. If you have snacks, especially before bed, make sure that they are proteins so as to maintain a constant blood sugar level overnight.
Go for lean proteins like poultry, nuts, lentils, fish and soy. These are the best sources of protein for your diet.
These are ten foods which every diabetic should incorporate into their diet. These foods all assist in keeping blood sugar levels under control; which means you’ll need less medication - and you’ll be reducing the risk for many of the health problems which commonly accompany diabetes.

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