When you have diabetes, nutrition and physical activity are critical components of a healthy lifestyle. Following a healthy dietary pattern and staying active can help you to maintain your blood glucose level (i.e. control diabetes), also known as blood sugar, within your target range, along with other benefits. To control your blood glucose levels, you must balance what you drink and eat with physical activity and, if necessary, diabetes medication. The amount you eat, and when you eat, what you eat, are all important factors in maintaining your blood sugar levels within the range recommended by your health provider.

Importance Of Following A Diet To Control Diabetes

Doing more activity and changing your eating and drinking habits can be difficult in the early stages. To start, it may be easier for you to make small changes and seek help from your family, friends, and health advisor.

Eating well and exercising most days of the week can help you.

• Maintain your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels within your target ranges.
• Lose or maintain a healthy weight
• Diabetic problems can be avoided or postponed
• Feel better and have much more energy.

Essential Food Items To Control Diabetes:

Drinks With Flavour And Few Calories

Water without fruits and vegetables is always good, but water with fruits and vegetables is more interesting. Cut up a lemon or cucumber and put it in your water, or make flavored ice cubes.

Beans

Beans may also aid in the prevention of diabetes. They also have a low glycemic index, which is beneficial for diabetes management. These are inexpensive, nutritious, and extremely healthy. It contains legume that is high in B vitamins, minerals (calcium, potassium, and magnesium), and fiber.

Okra

Okra contains high levels of hypoglycemic compounds, including polysaccharides and flavonoid antioxidants. Okra seeds have long been used as a natural treatment against diabetes because of their strong hypoglycemic properties.

Whole Vegetable

Vegetables are high in dietary fiber, nutrients, folic acid, manganese, chlorophyll, calcium, potassium, protein, zinc, phosphorous, and carotene. Spinach has a low glycemic index, making it ideal for diabetics who need to control their blood glucose levels.

Avocados

Avocados may have significant anti-diabetic properties. They’re high in healthy fats, vitamins, fiber, and minerals, and eating them has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. It may help lower blood sugar levels and defend against the development of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that includes high blood pressure and high blood sugar and increases the risk of chronic disease.

Eggs

Eggs are also a good source of healthy fats, which aid in diabetes management. They can positively enhance, improve insulin resistance, inflammation while also providing antioxidant benefits that help reduce free radicals in your body and protect against disease. 3 If you eat eggs, make sure to include the yolk because that is where the majority of the nutrients are found.

Consuming whole grains and high-fiber foods

This type of food will lower the risk of developing diabetes. Oatmeal contains a lot of fiber and whole grains. It also contains soluble fiber, which slows the rate of glucose absorption, keeping blood sugar levels stable.

References –

• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/diet-eating-physical-activity
• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/10-ways-to-eat-well-with-diabetes
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/diet-eating-physical-activity
• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/10-ways-to-eat-well-with-diabetes