{"id":98,"date":"2018-03-23T09:26:53","date_gmt":"2018-03-23T09:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diabetics.guide\/?p=98"},"modified":"2021-08-17T13:13:55","modified_gmt":"2021-08-17T13:13:55","slug":"20-foods-to-help-control-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diabetics.guide\/20-foods-to-help-control-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Foods to Help Control Diabetes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"A diabetes diet is something you\u2019ll have to adopt if you\u2019ve been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes. People with diabetes have twice the chance of developing heart disease and are at a heightened risk of having mental health problems like depression.<\/p>\n

When you have the condition, what you eat, how much you eat of it, and when you eat it can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels, keep hunger at bay, and help you feel fuller for a longer period of time than you would with a standard American diet. Some of the foods you\u2019ll want to avoid include white bread, pasta, sweetened fruit, milk, rice, and desserts. It\u2019s important to eat the foods you enjoy, though.<\/p>\n

You just shouldn\u2019t eat the wrong foods. You want to eat enough of the right foods that you feel good and avoid overeating and poor dietary choices. We\u2019re going to look at some foods that help control diabetes. You need a serious eating plan if you have a serious disease like diabetes.<\/p>\n

1. Apples<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There is some truth to the saying that an apple<\/a> a day keeps the doctor away. There are many health benefits provided by eating apples, which is why they should be a part of your healthy diet to help control diabetes. Apples have a low amount of calories, but a high fiber content.<\/p>\n

This means that they will help you feel fuller for longer. Apples can also help battle against bad cholesterol. In addition, eating an apple can help blunt swings in blood sugar levels. Granny Smith and Red Delicious varieties provide the highest amounts of disease-fighting antioxidants.<\/p>\n

For the most benefit, you will want to eat an apple whole. Do not peel them as the peel has some added nutritional benefits. A quick baked apple can be made by simply washing and chopping an apple, sprinkling on some cinnamon, and microwaving for about four minutes, or until it gets soft.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Avocado<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Avocado should be a part of any healthy diet. Avocado is a superfood that provides many nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. This fruit is packed with monounsaturated fat, which the body needs. This can help to keep blood sugar from going up after eating a meal. Diets that are rich in good fats can possibly help to reverse insulin resistance.<\/p>\n

This may result in steadier blood sugar levels over the long term. Avocados<\/a> are a very versatile food. You can eat them plain or season them with a little salt and pepper. Try spreading avocado on toast or cooking it with some eggs. You can also make avocado into a dip to use with other vegetables such as carrots or celery<\/p>\n

Try spreading it on a sandwich instead of using mayo. To keep avocados from turning brown simply spritz some lemon juice on it or coat the flesh with some cooking spray.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Barley<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When it comes to controlling your diabetes, it goes without saying that most grains should be avoided. However, if you must eat some grains, choose Barley over white rice.<\/p>\n

Choosing barley<\/a> over rice can help reduce the amount of a rise in your blood sugar by nearly seventy percent. In addition, barley can help to keep your blood sugar low and more steady for several hours. The reason for this is because of the soluble fiber that is found in barley.<\/p>\n

Other components in barley also help to slow down digestion and the absorption of the carbs. Brown rice does not even compare to barley in this manner when it comes to the choice of grains.<\/p>\n

Barley can easily be added to many types of soups or served as aside. It can also be used in casseroles and stir-fries. Quick-cooking, hulled, or pearled are all good choices for barley.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Beans<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When you are planning your meals to help control diabetes you should think about serving a bean cuisine at least twice each week. Every type of beans<\/a> contains soluble fiber. This includes kidney beans, chickpeas, and even edamame. The soluble fiber helps to tamper down blood sugar if it is high.<\/p>\n

In addition, beans are a rich source of protein, which means they can easily be used instead of meat in the main dish. It is important to make sure that you watch the amount of sodium of the beans that you choose to make your meals with. It is best to use fresh beans whenever possible.<\/p>\n

Another option is to choose bagged beans and soak them. These take longer to cook, but are better for you overall. If you are using canned beans you will want to make sure to rinse them well before you cook them. This will help lower the amount of sodium.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Beef<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Beef<\/a> is technically a diabetic-friendly food. However, when you are cooking and eating beef it is best to choose leaner cuts. The portion of beef that you eat should be one-fourth of your plate or less. It is important to make sure that you get enough protein in your meals to help keep you full and satisfied.<\/p>\n

In addition, protein helps you maintain muscle mass as you are losing weight. This will help your metabolism stay high. Some of the leanest cuts of beef include inside round, eye of round, tenderloin, flank steak, sirloin, ground round, and filet mignon. If you choose a different cut of meat you can lean it up by placing it in your freezer for about 20 minutes. This will help to harden up the meat, which will make it easier to cut the fat off.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Berries<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are many reasons that you should include berries<\/a> in your diet. These fruits are sweet and delicious, which can help satiate your sweet tooth when you are craving other types of foods that are not good for your diabetic diets, such as candy and other sweets.<\/p>\n

Red and blueberries contain anthocyanins, which are a natural plant compound. It is believed by scientists that anthocyanins can help to lower your blood sugar by increasing the production of insulin. In addition, berries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are important as they can help the body fight off free radicals.<\/p>\n

Free radicals can cause many issues in the body so it is important to keep them in check. You can add berries to your water, freeze them in baggies to eat as a tasty frozen treat, or simply grab a handful from your fridge to eat as a snack throughout the day.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Broccoli<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Remember when you were a kid and your mom was always trying to get you to eat your broccoli? There is a good reason for this. Broccoli is a very healthy vegetable that should be a part of everyone\u2019s diet. Broccoli is full of antioxidants, which include a high amount of Vitamin C. It also is very filling and has a lot of fiber.<\/p>\n

Broccoli<\/a> also contains chromium, which is an important part of blood sugar control over the long term. If you currently are not a big broccoli fan there are still ways you can add it to your diet. Broccoli is a vegetable that is easy to hide in pasta dishes, casseroles, or soups.<\/p>\n

You can also season it with soy sauce, dark sesame oil, garlic, or whatever other types of seasonings that you enjoy. No matter how you serve it, make sure this vegetable makes it on your menu regularly.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Carrots<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You have probably already heard about how carrots are good for your eyes. You may have also heard that eating carrots<\/a> can raise blood sugar quickly. However, that is not the case as the sugar that is contained in carrots is transformed into blood sugar quickly, but the sugar that is found in carrots is very low.<\/p>\n

This is good to know because carrots have one of the highest amounts of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is linked to better blood sugar control as well as a lowered risk of developing diabetes. If you are tired of eating raw carrots, try to make carrot fries.<\/p>\n

Simply slice some carrots into sticks, place them on one of your baking sheets with some salt, pepper, and olive oil and bake them for about forty minutes at 400 degrees F. This is a great alternative to eating french fries made from potatoes and they are perfect for snacking on.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Poultry<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Poultry<\/a> can either be a high-fat disaster or a very healthy meal. This all depends on how you cut and prepare the meat. The breast meat can be either whole or ground and will always have a lower amount of fat than what is found in a piece of dark meat such as a leg or a thigh. You should never eat the skin as this is where all of the high amounts of saturated fat are contained.<\/p>\n

When you purchase ground turkey it is important to make sure that the package states that it is ground turkey breast. If you do not choose ground turkey breast you might as well choose ground beef. It is also important to note that fried chicken is not going to be your friend.<\/p>\n

If you bake or broil your chicken or turkey you will have a nice sustaining protein that will keep you full for longer and help lower your blood sugar.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Eggs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Another cheap and excellent choice of high-quality protein food is eggs. The protein that is found in eggs is extremely high. In fact, the egg<\/a> protein is considered to be the gold standard by nutritionists as it is used to rank the protein in everything else.<\/p>\n

Eating an egg or even two is not going to raise cholesterol and it will also keep you full for hours afterward. Perhaps the best thing about eggs is that you can prepare them in a bunch of different ways. You can simply eat a boiled egg for breakfast or prepare your eggs with some veggies for added nutrition.<\/p>\n

You can also fry an egg in some olive oil for a quick and simple meal at any time of the day. To cook a perfect egg, spritz the pan with some oil, wait until the egg becomes white and bubbly, and then flip it over.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Fish<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Heart disease is one of the deadliest complications of having diabetes. Eating a serving of fish at least once each week can lower your risk of heart disease by nearly 40 percent according to a public health study conducted through Harvard.<\/p>\n

Fish<\/a> contain fatty acids that can reduce inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation is one of the main contributors to coronary disease. It is also a cause of diabetes and insulin resistance. Choose fish that is as fresh as possible and wild.<\/p>\n

Try to avoid fish that comes from farms. In addition, there is no real need to worry about some of the chemical contaminants found in some fish, unless you are currently pregnant. The health benefits of eating fish far outweigh any of the risks that are associated with it. As with poultry, fried is not your best option. Instead, choose to bake or broil your servings of fish.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. Flaxseed<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Flaxseed<\/a> is something that many people do not think about adding to their diet. This is not just a seed that you simply add to your bird feeders. Flaxseed is highly nutritional and something that everyone should consider adding to their regular diet. These seeds are perfect for those who need to control diabetes.<\/p>\n

They have a high amount of protein and good fats and they are a great source of fiber. In addition, flax seeds contain magnesium, which is a mineral that is important for controlling blood sugar because it helps the cells in the body use insulin. Purchase whole seeds because ground flax seeds will spoil quickly.<\/p>\n

Keep the whole seeds in the refrigerator and then ground them as needed. You can sprinkle them on yogurt or cereal, add them to a smoothie, or put them in your burgers, meatballs, or really just about any meal that you make.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. Yogurt and Milk<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Both yogurt<\/a> and milk are a good source of calcium and protein. Both calcium and protein have shown to be important in helping people lose weight. A diet that includes a good amount of dairy can help to fight insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is one of the main issues when it comes to diabetes.<\/p>\n

Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy when possible as this is the best option. If you do not like to skim milk, try one percent instead of as it is a little creamier and thicker than skim milk. It is also best to avoid yogurt that has added sugars. Reduced-fat Greek yogurt is the best option. You can add in some berries for added nutritional benefits.<\/p>\n

You can also drizzle a little bit of honey in your greek yogurt if you are craving something sweet, just make sure that you do not add too much.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. Nuts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

All types of nuts<\/a> have high fiber content and are full of protein. Because of this, nuts are considered to be a slow-burning food, which is good for blood sugar levels. While nuts do contain a high amount of fat, the type of fat that nuts contain is monounsaturated, which is the good type of fat that your body needs.<\/p>\n

You can snack on nuts at any time throughout the day. If you really want to bring out the flavor of a certain kind of nut consider roasting them. To roast nuts, you will simply spread the shelled nuts out on a baking sheet and then bake them for around 10 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n

You can add nuts to many different types of entrees as well as several types of soups. Try to purchase unsalted nuts as salted nuts can raise blood pressure and when you have diabetes it is important to consider your blood pressure.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. Seeds<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Similar to nuts, seeds are also filled with many good fats. In addition, seeds such as sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin also have a lot of fiber and protein that will work together in order to help keep your blood sugar low.<\/p>\n

In addition, eating seeds<\/a> that are full of these good fats, protein, and fiber can also help lower the risk of developing heart disease. In addition, seeds also provide a natural source of sterols, which can help lower cholesterol.<\/p>\n

One of the great things about seeds is that you can fill a bag with some of your favorite seeds and eat them whenever you are feeling the need for a snack. In addition, instead of adding croutons to your salad in order to get that crunch that you desire, you can simply add some of your favorite seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin to get the nutrition they provide.<\/p>\n

\"\"16. Oatmeal<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You have probably already heard that you should be eating oatmeal on a regular basis. There are many good reasons to add this food to your diet. Oatmeal has a ton of soluble fiber and when it is mixed with water it will form a paste. Just like oatmeal<\/a> will stick to a bowl, it also will create a barrier between starch molecules of a meal and the digestive enzymes of the stomach.
\nThis means that it will take longer for the body to convert carbohydrates that you eat into blood sugar. If you do not want to eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast try using oat flour in your meals instead of regular flour. You can add it to casseroles, soups, and stews to create a thickener.<\/p>\n

You can also add ground oatmeal to waffle, pancake, or muffin batters and you will not even know that you are eating it.<\/p>\n

\"\"17. Olive Oil<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Olive oil<\/a> is simply liquid gold. Researchers actually compare the anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil to aspirin because they are so strong. This could be one of the reasons that people who are following a Mediterranean diet tend to have a lower rate of both diabetes and heart disease, both types of diseases are linked to inflammation.<\/p>\n

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes the use of olive oil along with lean meat, whole grains, and produce. The good fat that is found in olive oil is not going to increase the risk of insulin resistance, unlike butter. In addition, it could even reverse insulin resistance. You can cook almost anything in olive oil.<\/p>\n

You can also use it on salads, add it to your baked potato, or drizzle it over your pasta. It is very versatile and can be used in just about any type of dish that you can imagine.<\/p>\n

\"\"18. Peanut Butter<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When you think about peanut butter chances are that you think that it is high in fat and therefore could not possibly be good for you. However, there have been studies that have found that eating some peanut butter can lower the appetite for almost two hours longer than eating a high carb, low fiber snack.<\/p>\n

This makes peanut butter<\/a> a great ally when you are trying to lose weight. Peanut butter also contains monounsaturated fats that can help to control blood sugar levels. The great thing is that there are many ways to enjoy peanut butter. You can dip some raw veggies in peanut butter for a nice snack.<\/p>\n

In addition, you can make a sauce out of peanut butter to add to your stir fry. You can also simply eat a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter by itself. Just make sure that you are buying pure peanut butter and avoid the types that have lots of added sugar.<\/p>\n

\"\"19. Whole Grain Bread<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When it comes to foods to help control diabetes, bread should mostly be avoided. In fact, when you eat white bread you might as well be eating a bowl full of table sugar as they will both raise your blood sugar levels. If you eat a lot of bread or simply do not want to cut bread totally from your diet, you need to switch to whole grain bread instead of white.<\/p>\n

This could improve your insulin sensitivity. In fact, consuming whole grains may even help with blood sugar stability. It is important to not mistake multigrain bread<\/a> or simple \u201cbrown\u201d bread for whole-grain bread.<\/p>\n

If the word whole is not found as the first ingredient, do not buy it. Look for a very coarse bread as the coarseness of the bread is what will help slow down digestion, which is what the goal is when you are trying to control high blood sugar.<\/p>\n

\"\"20. Sweet Potatoes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When you are trying to control diabetes, white potatoes are not going to be your friend. This is because they are full of starch and carbs, which do not do much in helping with blood sugar. Choosing a sweet potato over a white potato can help keep your blood sugar from rising by about 30 percent less.<\/p>\n

The sweet potato<\/a> is packed with nutrients, such as fiber. Around 40 percent of the fiber is soluble, which is the type that can slow digestion and lower cholesterol. In addition, sweet potatoes have a high amount of carotenoids, which play an important part in helping the body respond to insulin.<\/p>\n

They also have chlorogenic acid, which is a natural plant compound that can help to reduce insulin. You can easily substitute a sweet potato for a white potato in almost any dish. You can mash, bake, or even create chips with them.<\/p>\n\r\n

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