20 Delicious And Healthy Foods For Diabetics

While delicious to one person may not be as tasty to someone else, when you suffer from a health issue that causes a need to change your diet you want to know all of the options that are out there. You may even be more willing to try something new just so you don’t have to live on a limited diet.

For people that suffer from diabetes, meals are all about tracking what you are eating and making sure you only get so much sugar, protein, and calories. It may help to know that there are plenty of delicious options out there that could help you with your illness. Try these 20 diabetic superfoods and you won’t have to feel limited at all.

Green Tea

If you aren’t eating a healthy diet it’s likely you are raising your risk of heart attack, and your body may not properly be absorbing blood sugar. It’s the anti-inflammatory properties of many foods, like vegetables, that can turn this around. If you’re not a fan of veggies, green tea can help and it tastes good. You can add some flavor with fruit or some fruit juice, too.

Cinnamon

Just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon each day can make your cells more sensitive to insulin, which can help lower your blood sugar spikes. Cinnamon is a great seasoning, perfect with apples and oatmeal.

Apples

Not only does an apple a day keep the doctor away, but it may also help keep bad cholesterol and blood-sugar swings away. The best choices for antioxidant rich varieties are granny smith and red delicious. And baked apples make a great, delicious desert. Top with yogurt instead of whipped topping or ice cream.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are superior to regular potatoes when it comes to health benefits. They have more fiber and they help lower bad cholesterol.

Sweet potatoes don’t just taste great baked (with some coconut oil instead of butter), but they also make a great healthy pie.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is high in calories, but it is packed with good fats, and it can help curb your appetite. Pair it with apples or whole grain breads to get some great weight loss benefits. You can also try peanut oil when you are craving fried foods.

Nuts

Nuts burn slow, because they are high in protein and fiber, so they don’t cause blood sugar spikes. They also offer you a lot of energy, and they taste great alone, or added to smoothies and salads.

Olive Oil

There are a few great oils that make good replacements for vegetable, corn, and canola oil. Olive oil is one of them. Use it in cooking for a heart healthy oil. It’s also great mixed with some garlic and Italian herbs to use as a dip for whole grain breads.

Seaweed

Seaweed is an acquired taste, but those people that have fallen in love with it will let you know that it has some great benefits. It can help with weight loss and even works to prevent diabetes. For some flavor, try dried seaweed with coconut oil or sea salt and vinegar. They make a great replacement for potato chips.

Carrots

Vegetables in general are a great choice for everyone to eat, but especially people with diabetes or trying to avoid diabetes. Carrots are a great non-starchy veggies choice that are packed with vitamins, like beta-carotene, which can help lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Fish

Fish twice a week can greatly improve your heart health, and this light white meat is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. This works to help your brain function and to lower blood pressure, and it’s an anti-inflammatory. If you aren’t a big fish fan, try some lemon pepper seasoning and you might just change your mind.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are great options in a diabetic diet. It has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and even drop blood pressure levels. Add this seed to smoothies and cereal to get its great benefits.

Seeds

Seeds are fiber packed and delicious. They make a great snack and a great addition to salads and smoothies. Try pumpkin seeds and/or sunflower seeds in a trail mix with dried fruits and nuts, or alone with some sea salt and healthy oils.

Garlic

Garlic is another acquired taste. While there are some people out there that can munch on raw garlic without flinching, many people need it in minimal amounts to tolerate it.

However, you should want to add this tasty bulb to your diet because it has been known to treat heart disease, some types of cancers, high cholesterol, and even high blood pressure.

You can easily add garlic to almost any dinner dish, especially if you enjoy Mediterranean or Italian foods.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has recently become popular for everything from skin and hair care to superfood status. It fights cholesterol and it tastes great. Use it in place of other oils and even in place of butter or margarine.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is full of soluble fiber, and it takes longer for your body to convert the carbs in this food into blood sugar.

Oatmeal makes a great breakfast, or even snack food, and works well with fruits, nuts, and even cinnamon!

Dairy Products

When it comes to choosing dairy products that are good for diabetics, opt for low-fat or fat free. Skim milk and yogurt are two of the best options. Dairy seems to work in preventing insulin resistance, which is why it is good for those suffering from diabetes.

Berries

Diabetics know that reaching for junk food and sweets can be a big no-no. When you need to curb your sweet tooth reach for some fresh berries instead. They are loaded with antioxidants and they taste delicious. Toss some in a salad or in your morning oatmeal.

Avocado

This green, funky looking fruit is rich and creamy, and it is full of beneficial monounsaturated fat. It’s a great diet food because it helps slow digestion and it also helps keep blood sugar from spiking after meals. Swap mayonnaise and/or butter on sandwiches with avocado for a delicious and fresh taste.

Chocolate

Dark chocolate has been proven to improve insulin sensitivity, which can help in preventing or treating type 2 diabetes. Only eat a piece or two a day though!

Steak

Most health reports tell you that red meat is bad for you, so it may surprise you to see such a delicious steak on this list. Beef is actually a good meat option for people with diabetes. Make sure you chose a lean cut of meat though!