The Best Foods for Controlling Your Diabetes

For people with diabetes, a healthy lifestyle is a balance of insulin management, blood sugar regulation, exercise, and diet. Diet plays an essential role in diabetes management, which is why people with diabetes need to know what foods to avoid, and what foods can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. 

Although the primary goal of diabetes management is to regulate your blood sugar level, it is also essential to maintain a diet that can help you prevent related complications like heart disease.

Creating Your Diabetes Management Plan

The reality is that diet alone will not be enough to manage your diabetes. However, you can work with a medical professional to establish a diabetes management plan that balances your insulin administration, fitness, blood sugar monitoring, and diet. 

Managing your diabetes can be challenging when you live in the United States, where convoluted processes and high insulin costs can make it hard to get the medication you need. The good news is that online prescription referral services like BuyInsulin can make it possible to order your insulin online from Canada.

Vegetables: Leafy Greens, Broccoli & Squash

Leafy greens: Leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach are high in vitamins and minerals, and low in calories and digestible carbs (which can increase your blood sugar levels). They are also full of nutrients and antioxidants, which are great for maintaining eye and heart health. 

Heart and eye problems are both common complications associated with diabetes. Integrating these foods into your diet is a great way to lower your risk of experiencing these complications.
 

Broccoli: Like leafy greens, broccoli is low in calories and digestible carbs. They also contain antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which help prevent eye complications.

Studies conducted by the same researches and published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition and European Journal of Clinical Nutrition have even linked broccoli to lowered insulin levels. The studies show that broccoli may help lower insulin levels in people with diabetes and help protect cells from the harmful free radicals produced during metabolism.

Meats: Fish

Fatty fishes like salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies are great additions to a diabetic diet. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are known to be great for maintaining a healthy heart, reducing inflammation, improving artery function, and protecting the cells lining your blood vessels. 

Proteins: Eggs & Nuts

Eggs: Eggs — egg yolks specifically— are a great addition to any diet as they reduce inflammation. They can reduce the risk of heart disease, increase your good cholesterol, and even improve your insulin sensitivity. Eggs contain properties to control your blood sugar and antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin), which helps reduce the risk of eye complications.

Nuts: Nuts tend to contain less digestible carbs and a lot of fiber. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts are all great for a diabetic to integrate into their diet. One particular study examined people with type 2 diabetes who incorporated 30 grams of walnuts into their daily diet for a year. These individuals experienced reduced insulin levels, weight loss, and overall improved body composition.

Dairy: Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a great dairy option for people with diabetes as it has fewer carbs and sugars than other yogurts and is higher in protein. Studies have indicated that probiotics in Greek yogurt can also improve blood sugar regulation and prevent heart complications.
 
This is a guest blog entry.