Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes

If you are a diabetic, be aware of the best and worst foods for your condition before heading to the grocery. You cannot do with the same old shopping list but need to alter it according to the needs of your body. Keeping a list of the best and worst foods for diabetes would help you when you pick foodstuffs from the grocery. So, always carry that list.

You need a balanced diet in managing diabetes which includes breads, grains, fruits, vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy.

Best meals for diabetics

Breads and grains – When looking to get breads and grains for your meals, make sure they contain enough of fibre, vitamins, minerals and do not make blood glucose level rise. Complex carbohydrates do not raise the carbohydrate level too high and still provide you with enough energy. So, these are ideal for diabetics. Whole grain flours, whole grain bread, brown rice, cereals which contain whole grain food items, whole grain corn tortillas and baked potatoes are some sources of complex carbohydrates ideal for diabetics.

Vegetables and fruits – Vegetables and fruits are full of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Potatoes and corn do not fall into the category of vegetables as they are full of starch. Being naturally low in salt, vegetables and fruits provide the much needed nutrition without any harm to diabetics. Ideal fruits and veggies for diabetics are fresh cucumber, fresh shredded cabbage, fresh coleslaw, fresh fruit juices, low carb juices, applesauce without sugar, and the like.

Proteins – Although all types of meats are avoidable for diabetics, those who cannot do without it should take to lower-fat varieties such as skinless breast of chicken, and grilled, baked or steamed fish. Other sources of protein suitable for diabetics are lightly sautéed tofu, baked or stewed beans and low fat cheese.

Dairy – Milk and dairy products are needed for their high protein and calcium content. Diabetics can pick the following dairy products – skimmed milk or one per cent fat milk, low fat yoghurt, non fat sour cream, low fat cottage cheese, and frozen yoghurt that is low in fat.

Worst meals for diabetics

The foods which can make meals unhealthy for diabetics are -

Breads and grains – White flour, Fried white flour tortillas, french fries, white bread cereals with not much whole grain but plenty of sugar, white flour and processed grains such as white rice.

Vegetables and fruits – Canned vegetables with plenty of extra sodium, vegetables cooked after adding plenty of sauce, butter or cheese, pickles and sauerkraut (for those who need to avoid sodium).

Proteins – Pork bacon, regular cheeses, poultry with skin, fried fish, fried tofu and beans cooked with lard

Dairy – Whole milk and the regular varieties of yoghurt, ice cream, sour cream and cottage cheese.

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