Diabetes diet: A diabetic must choose foods carefully to control blood sugar levels
Highlights
- Diabetes diet must include foods which can control blood sugar levels
- You can choose foods with low-glycemic index for diabetes diet
- Diabetics can eat fruits but should avoid fruit juice
Diabetes diet can be difficult to understand. It must comprise of foods which do not affect the blood sugar levels negatively. Some foods can increase your blood sugar levels very fast whereas some may not affect blood sugar and help in management of healthy blood sugar levels. Glycemic index is a method to understand the effect of food consumed on blood sugar levels. Glycemic index ranks the foods according to their effect of blood sugar levels. It was formulated in 1980s. The glycemic index divides the food into three different sections- low, medium and high. Foods with low glycemic index cause low or no rise in blood sugars. Whereas, consumption of foods with high glycemic index can result in rapid rise in blood sugar levels.
Controlled blood sugar levels can help in controlling the complications of diabetes and help in effective management of diabetes. Studies have highlighted that foods with low GI are beneficial for diabetics. Other studies have also highlighted that diet high in GI can put an individual at a higher risk of type-2 diabetes. Here are some foods with low GI which can be a part of diabetes diet.
Diabetes: Low-glycemic foods are beneficial for diabetics
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Diabetes diet: Low glycemic foods for diabetes
1. Fruit with low glycemic index
It is a misconception that diabetes patients cannot eat fruits as fruits are loaded with natural sugar. But low glycemic fruits can be consumed in a limited quantity. Some fruits which can be a part of your diabetes diet may include- pear, apples, grapefruit, plum, oranges, strawberries, peach, cherries and grapes.
Also read: Diabetes Diet: Can Diabetics Eat Fruits? Know Tips To Choose The Right Fruits
2. Other foods with low-glycemic index
Other low-glycemic foods may include- oats, porridge oats, lentils, kidney beans, quinoa, milk, almonds, olive oil, rice bran oil, walnuts and vegetables like carrots, broccoli, tomatoes and cauliflower.
Diabetes diet: Oats are a low GI food which can be a part of your breakfast
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Other health benefits of consuming a low-glycemic diet
A low-GI diet can offer many other health as well, including-
- Better cholesterol levels which means reduced risk of heart diseases and stroke
- Low-GI diets may also help you lose some weight
- Consumption of a low-GI diet is also associated with lower risk of heart diseases
Also read: Diabetes: Turmeric Can Help You Control Blood Sugar Levels; Here's Is The Right Method To Use It
If you are a diabetic you can add food low in GI to your diet. You can once take recommendations from your doctor about the right foods and quantity.
Also read: Diabetes: Reasons Why Your Blood Sugar Levels Are High In The Morning; Tips To Control
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.