Five great food options for diabetics

As a diabetic, you may complain about the limited diet options and food choices you have. However, there are a lot of food items you can still try out without worrying about your blood glucose levels spiking up. Here are a few diabetic-friendly foods you can add to your diet on a regular basis.

Broccoli
Broccoli is a great nutritional food for diabetics. In fact, it is hailed as an anti-diabetes superhero, owing to its high sulforaphane content. This compound improves the body’s control of its sugar levels while also providing protection from the ill effects of diabetes, including inflammation and heart disease. Sulforaphane is an active detoxifying agent as well and helps the body transform cancer-causing radicals into easily releasable forms.

Dark chocolate
A rule of the thumb is that if you are a diabetic, anything and everything sweet has to go out of the window. Not dark chocolate though! Loaded with flavonoids, dark chocolate is a diabetic-friendly food and can improve insulin sensitivity while reducing blood glucose levels. These flavonoids can also keep you full for longer periods and reduce your sweet cravings. Furthermore, they help lower the risks of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.

Blueberries
Blueberries are known for their potent antioxidant effects that protect the body from the harmful effect of free radicals. Another remarkable fact about blueberries is that they can help regulate the blood glucose levels in the body effectively. They contain lots of soluble and insoluble fiber. While the insoluble fiber helps flush out fat from the body, the soluble fiber improves blood sugar control by slowing the digestion process. These tiny fruits also contain a chemical called anthocyanin. This helps the body release a hormone called adiponectin, which helps improve insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar effectively.

Fish
It is a known fact that inflammation can worsen diabetes to a great extent. The high protein content in fish acts as a slimming agent while its fat content helps cool down the body and prevent inflammation. Including fish in your diet can also reduce your chances of being affected by stroke and heart disease, if you are a diabetic. However, stay away from fried fish and opt for boiled, steamed or baked varieties for more benefits.

Walnuts
Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids, both of which reduce inflammation. Walnuts are rich sources of Vitamin E, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and L-arginine, etc. which make them the best choices for those antiviral, antioxidant, anti-high cholesterol and anticancer actions. These substances can also slow down the progression of conditions like diabetes and its after effects. Plus the fiber content of walnuts makes it a nutritional snack that will prevent hunger pangs and keep you full for longer periods.

As a diabetic, you may be worried about forgoing your favorite foods and snacks in place of tasteless substitutes. These foods will help you regain your taste buds while ensuring that your blood glucose levels are in check and your body protected from the risks of heart disease and the other side effects of diabetes.

"Image for representational purposes only"
diabetes