Powerful Foods for Diabetes Patients

Diabetes is a disease that is relatively easy to manage with food and exercise. Most diabetics who have been living with the disease for a long time know what they can and cannot have to avoid a spike in their glucose levels. But in avoiding certain foods, do diabetics get the right nutrition their bodies need to function well? Cutting out foods that are high in natural and processed sugars is all well and good, but there needs to be a balance to replace whatever nutrients may go missing by eliminating certain foods from the diet.

There are some foods that can be considered super foods for diabetics. These foods not only meet the nutritional requirements of diabetics, but will also lower the risk of other diabetes-related diseases. The best foods for a healthy diabetic lifestyle will always be whole foods that are not processed (think things like fruit and vegetables), as well as grains that are high in fiber. These do not have to be the only foods that diabetics eat, but they should be a large quotient of the foods in the diet. 

What are these super foods?

Diabetes is a disease which an individual can manage easily with the help of food, exercise, and the timely intake of medications. It is a long-term disease, so individuals have to be careful about what is served on their plates. Many a times, an individual will avoid certain foods for fear of increasing their diabetic numbers, but by doing so, they are inadvertently not taking in the correct nutrition required for their body. There are a few food items that are considered to be superfoods for diabetics. These foods not only help meet the individual’s nutritional requirements, but they are also thought to lower the risk of any other diabetes-related medical conditions. Below are some such superfoods:

• Chocolate: This is something we all love, but not everyone is aware that chocolate is a super food that is not only rich in flavonoids, but is also shown to reduce the level of insulin as well as fasting glucose levels. It helps to improve one’s sensitivity towards insulin as well as any kind of blunt cravings, too. But keep in mind that when we talk about the benefits of chocolate, we don’t mean the kind that contains milk or the flavored ones that have added ingredients in them. Dark chocolate is the one to go in for as it helps to reduce cravings and is also loaded with flavonoids.
• Broccoli: This vegetable is not something we are all fans of, as many people find its smell to be off-putting, and most tend to eat it with a sauce or cheese to mitigate the taste. But for diabetic patients, this powerhouse food is known to be one of the most important things one can incorporate into their diet. This veggie is part of the cruciferous class, which is known to contain important ingredients such as Sulforaphane.
• Cinnamon: This is known to contain chromium, which is a mineral that helps to enhance the level of insulin in the body.
• Spinach: Spinach as well as other leafy vegetables, when consumed in one serving each day, is known to help reduce the risk of diabetes by at least fourteen to fifteen percent.
• Blueberries: These are an incredible superfood that come with a lot of benefits. They are known to be a wonderful source of insoluble fiber, which is known to help in flushing the body system. They also contain anthocyanins, which help to shrink fat cells.
• Turmeric: This spice is considered to be a staple food in most parts of the Indian culture. Apart from adding it to daily cooking, turmeric is also beneficial for diabetes since its active ingredient is known to regulate the fat present in the body.
• Walnuts: When consumed in raw form, walnuts are very beneficial for diabetic patients. They help to reduce inflammation in the body and are also a powerhouse of antioxidants.
• Fish: This is a great option to be included in one’s everyday diet. It helps to lower inflammation and is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.