When the diagnosis for diabetes comes back positive at the health clinic, most people who have never checked their blood sugar levels before are completely shocked by the news. They never expected that they would develop this chronic condition, as they were unaware that their lifestyle habits were secretly promoting its development all this time.
People with diabetes lead a life with compromised heath that gets in the way of them feeling their best. Diabetics even become more vulnerable to the risk of heart disease and mental health problems.
“Diabetes is when your blood sugar or glucose levels are higher than normal. It’s carbohydrate foods like breads, cereals, rice, pasta, fruits, milk, and desserts that can cause this rise”
– Maggie Powers, PhD, president-elect of Healthcare & Education at the American Diabetes Association
In the case of type 2 diabetes, the process can not only be preventable but also reversible. All that you need to do is maintain a balanced diet that will provide you with sufficient energy and keep you in good spirits without feeling deprived.
Here is a list of the food best suited for diabetics, both type 1 and 2:
Greek Yogurt
Greek Yogurt is considered the go-to dairy product for diabetics considering its richness in proteins. It contains significant amount of probiotics, according to a study, which have been confirmed to lower blood sugar in the body and decrease the risk of heart disease. Similar studies have come to the conclusion that Greek yogurt contributes to weight loss and improved body health.
What makes Greek yogurt unique is that it contains about 6-8 grams of carbs as opposed to the higher quantities found in traditional yogurt. This serves to increase your weight loss chances.
Fatty Fish
As a diabetic, there is no better substitute to replace your fat intake than fatty fish. Fish like salmon, sardine and even mackerel stand out in particular for being the sources of omega-3 fatty acids which improves heart health.
The DHA and EPA acids of omega-3 offer additional protection to your blood vessels thereby improving how your arteries operate as concluded by this research.
Leafy Greens
Your green food intake will be critical in this diet. You can choose from spinach, kale or chard in order to gain your vitamins like vitamin C and other minerals. They are also valuable in terms of nutrition and low calories. According to one study, if you increase your Vitamin C intake you can reduce inflammation and blood sugar levels.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds serve as the primary source of fiber for people with diabetes. It has been reported that the viscous fiber in chia seeds lowers blood sugar levels. It has also been observed that chia seeds can also provide assistance with weight loss as its fiber lowers the craving for more food and decreases the calories you absorb from other foods as well.
Garlic
Garlic has proven to be an invaluable herb for diabetics for its benefits in reducing blood pressure. One clove of garlic consists of 4 calories. Several experiments have been undertaken to prove that it can lower inflammation and blood sugar in diabetics. Pre-Diabetics are strongly encouraged to consume this herb every day for diabetic prevention as well.
Once you have been diagnosed as a diabetic, it is extremely important to use these foods and create a diet schedule that not only lets you enjoy delicious food but also controls your blood sugar at the same time.