When you suffer from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, diet plays a fundamental role in helping your sugar levels be in an adequate range and keeping the complications associated with this pathology at the margin. Taking care of what we eat is essential; that is why it is necessary to identify those prohibited foods for people with diabetes and detect those that can be consumed regularly. At FastlyHealwe explain in detail which are the recommended foods for people with diabetes that you can safely incorporate into your diet.
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The importance of taking care of your diet if you have diabetes
The accumulation of sugar in our blood due to problems in the production of insulin or the poor response of our cells to react to this hormone make us have to take utmost care of what we eat if we suffer from diabetes.
An inappropriate diet rich in carbohydrates, sugars, refined flour, and fats will cause our body to receive a large amount of food converted into glucose. Still, due to the inability of our body to convert that sugar into energy, it will dangerously accumulate in the blood. The more deficient our diet, the more we run the risk that sugar levels get out of control and that the complications of this disease appear: vascular and nerve problems or eye, kidney, or heart diseases.
Making profound changes in our diet, taking care of what we eat, and frequent physical activity are the best strategies to maintain our general health and adequate sugar levels.
Recommended Proteins for Diabetics
All lean or moderate fat proteins can be eaten if you have diabetes. That is why you can incorporate options such as:
- Fat-free beef.
- Pork is the leanest cut.
- Chicken, preferably without skin.
- Turkey.
- Fresh fish, never smoked or canned.
- Seafood in moderate quantities.
- Low-fat sausages such as turkey or chicken breast and the rest of the links should be eaten sparingly.
It is recommended that proteins are always prepared grilled, broiled, baked, cooked, or steamed. Avoid ingesting them fried, battered, or in any preparation rich in fat.
Vegetables and legumes are great allies
Vegetables are great allies, appearing among the recommended foods for diabetics that should not be missing in the diet. Legumes can also be consumed in moderation; in both cases, the main benefit of these ingredients is their rich fiber content, which helps lower blood sugar levels, fill us up and improve our intestinal transit.
All vegetables are recommended, especially green leaves such as spinach, chard, arugula, or broccoli, although any food of this type will be welcome in the diet. It is advisable to consume them whenever they can be raw or steamed, cooked or grilled, never fried or battered.
Regarding legumes, they can be eaten in moderation. Lentils, beans, chickpeas, or beans can be consumed in light stews that are not accompanied by meats or sausages and in fresh salads.
Fruits for diabetics
Fruits are a very healthy alternative, but we must not forget that they contain fructose, a natural sugar that, in the case of diabetics, should also be ingested in moderation. Some alternatives are not recommended to consume, such as fruits in syrup or candied fruits and nuts such as dates, raisins, or figs.
Except for those mentioned above, all fruits can be eaten in moderation. However, those more affluent in sugar such as banana, mango, papaya, watermelon, or custard apple should be reduced to a minimum; better opt for alternatives such as apple, pear or apricot. You can eat fresh, baked, or pureed fruits but always without adding sugar.
Cereals and flours suitable for this condition
When choosing the flours and cereals to consume, you should opt for products made with whole wheat flour such as bread, rice, whole-wheat pasta, rye bread, or whole grains such as oats. You can also eat cookies or whole-grain products without sugar or suitable for people with diabetes.
Recommended dairy
Among the foods recommended for diabetics, the intake of skimmed, low-fat, or 0% fat dairy is recommended. Whole milk and aged or fatty cheeses should be avoided and substituted by skim milk, skimmed or 0% yogurt, and low-fat cheeses such as cottage cheese or queso fresco.
Oils, dressings, and sweets are allowed.
People with diabetes can moderately consume vegetable oils such as olive, corn or sunflower, margarine, butter, mayonnaise, béchamel, and nuts. However, it is recommended to do so in moderation and without overdoing it.
In the same way, only the occasional intake of cookies, jams, and pastries suitable for consumption by diabetics will be allowed, something that must be clearly stated on the product label. Drinks suitable for diabetics
As for drinks, people with diabetes are allowed the intake of:
- Infusions without added sugar.
- Natural juices without added sugar.
- Coffee, but in moderation.
- Defatted broths.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Recommended foods for diabetics , we recommend that you enter our Endocrine System category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.