Some time ago, I posted about the top 9 foods that diabetics should avoid. But, what about foods that they should be eating? I put together a quick list of the top 9 foods for diabetes control.
Without further ado, lets’ get to it!
#1 Spinach
This green, leafy vegetable is a daily recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Why? It’s low on carbs, which makes it an excellent choice for people with diabetes
#2 Broccoli
Broccoli has a compound called sulforaphane—I wrote about it here. It’s a compound that protects cardiovascular damage, which is often a consequence of diabetes.
#3 Olive oil
It’s one of the healthiest oils since it contains less saturated fats. It’s also rich in omega 9 and 3, which help in the health of blood vessels.
#4 Sweet potatoes
The body needs some carbs to function well, but sugar, bread, pastas, and potatoes should be avoided in people with diabetes. Sweet potatoes, however, have complex carbohydrates. This means that the body will take longer to break down the carbohydrate chains and the sweet potatoes will be out of your system before they can be fully broken down.
#5 Avocados
Apart from being delicious, they are an excellent source of dietary fiber. You can read more about the benefits of avocados here.
#6 Blueberries
Don’t you just love these? Blueberries contain both insoluble and soluble fiber. The first flushes out of your system, the second slows down the emptying of your stomach, resulting in blood sugar control. Just don’t eat them in a blueberry muffin because it completely defeats the purpose.
#7 Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins A, B1, C, and K. They’re rich in potassium, manganese, chromium, and dietary fiber. In contrast, they are low in carbohydrate content, making them a good candidate for blood sugar control.
I like to eat tomatoes with a bit of salt and pepper. The juicier, the better.
#8 Eggs
Time for something different other than fruits and vegetables, right? Eggs are an excellent source of protein, and the ADA considers them a healthy food for people with diabetes. One egg contains about 1/2 gram of carbohydrates.
#9 Cinnamon
Consumption of one to three teaspoons a day has a positive effect on reducing blood glucose levles. Also, it makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.
