Food plays an important role in managing diabetes. A healthy diet is essential for anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Food that’s low in carbs, calories and glycemic index (GI) is recommended for diabetics. GI measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. According to Dr. Anish Behl, Endocrinologist, Apollo Clinic Mysore, there are some power foods that are essential for anyone who wants to control their blood sugar levels. Include these foods in your diabetes food chart to fight diabetes. Click to know the effective ways to control diabetes.
1- Flax Seeds
Regular consumption of flax seeds helps in lowering the risk of diabetes. They are rich in magnesium, fiber, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts and seeds are known for their healthy fats but flax seeds are particularly effective in diabetes control because of their low GI scores. For better health and better blood sugar management, include a spoon of flax seeds in your everyday diet.
2- Beans
It is a well-known fact that beans are among the most nutritious foods. Rich in fiber and proteins, not only are they a great option for vegetarians but also for diabetics. With beans, one can create a variety of diabetic diet foods. Packed with magnesium, potassium and a GI score of less than 30, beans are great for people with type 2 diabetes. They can also reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
3- Barley
The next weapon to control diabetes is Barley. Barley is an ancient grain loaded with soluble fibres. These fibres form a gel when they mix with the liquids in your stomach. The presence of this gel slows down the emptying of the stomach, which prevents carbohydrates from being absorbed too quickly and raising blood glucose levels. Coming to the glycemic index, barley scores 25 GI which makes it one of the best foods for diabetics.
4- Broccoli
Non-starchy vegetables, like Broccoli, have fewer carbs and are therefore recommended to people trying to control their blood sugar levels. Broccoli is low in carbs, calories and GI and can be enjoyed in abundance by diabetics. It satisfies your hunger and keeps you full for a longer duration. They are also known to reverse type 2 diabetes.
5- Salmon
Salmon, like other protein-rich foods, is not high in carbs and therefore does not increase blood sugar levels. Lean meats are a healthy option for diabetics. Omega-3s from such foods help reduce your risk of heart disease, which is important for those with type 2 diabetes.
Along with diabetic diet food, it is also important to get regular diabetic screening. Regularly monitoring your sugar levels helps you understand the food pattern better suited for your health. With Apollo Clinic, you can be sure about the quality and accuracy of your test results. Fully equipped, state-of-the-art infrastructure minimizes the discomfort of testing procedures.