Diabetes Diet – Best and Worst foods
You need to pick right foods when you are diabetic to help keep your blood sugar low and stable. Read this article to find out what to put on the menu when planning your diabetes diet.
Following a diabetes diet doesn’t mean that you will have to give up the foods you love. While on a diabetes diet, nothing is off limits, but some food choices are better than others.
Creating a diet for diabetes is a balancing act as it will include a variety of healthy foods to cater to your daily requirement of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The trick is ultimately to choose a combination of foods that will help keep your blood sugar level in your target range.
Here is your helpful guideline to keep in mind!
The best and worst diabetes choices by food group
Protein
Best options:-
- Plant-based proteins like beans, nuts, seeds and tofu
- Fish and seafood
- Chicken and other poultry (Choose the breast meat if possible.)
- Eggs and low-fat dairy
Worst options :-
- Regular cheeses
- Fried meats
- Poultry with skin
- Higher-fat cuts of meat
- Bacon
Drinks
Best options:-
- Water, unflavored or flavored sparkling water
- Unsweetened tea
- Small amounts of wine, or non-fruity mixed drinks
Worst Options:-
- Regular sodas or energy drinks
- Alcohol
- Sweetened tea or coffee
- Flavored coffees and chocolate drinks
Starch
Best options:-
- Whole grains, such as brown rice, millets or oatmeals
- Baked sweet potato
- Items made with whole grains and no (or very little) added sugar
Vegetables
Best choices:-
- Cruciferous veggies, like broccoli and cauliflower
- Cucumbers
- Jicama
- Brussels sprouts
- Onions
- Artichoke hearts
- PeppersCan be consumed in moderation:-
- Corn
- White potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Yams
- Peas
- Beets
Fruits
Best choices:-
- Apples
- Berries
- Oranges
- Kiwi
- Cherries
- Banana
- Apricot
- Grapes
Worst Choices:-
- Canned fruits
- Fruit Punch
- Sweetened sauce
- Jelly, jams
The Bottom line-
Knowing which foods to avoid when can make things for you a lot more easier. Just remember that your main goals should include staying away from unhealthy fats, liquid sugars, processed grains and other foods that contain refined carbs.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetic-food-list-best-worst-foods
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-diabetes#section13