According to American Diabetes Association, 34.2 million Americans had diabetes in 2018. And diabetes is underreported as a cause of death. But it’s still the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

But, fear not. We can manage diabetes and live healthy lives.

Keep reading to learn about the best foods for diabetes.

What’s the Deal, Diabetes?

Diabetes affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin correctly. There is either not enough insulin or a failure to use the insulin there is. So, this results in too much glucose, or sugar, in the blood.

Type 1 diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes, often begins in childhood. It’s an autoimmune condition where the pancreas can’t make insulin.

But in type 2 diabetes, your pancreas can make insulin. But this insulin is insufficient or misused. Obesity causes an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Our bodies turn food into energy. The food we eat is broken down into glucose and released into our blood. When our blood sugar goes up, insulin opens the flood gates, so to speak. This allows glucose to give energy to our cells.

But diabetes stops cells from listening to insulin. They no longer accept glucose. But as we continue to eat, we put sugar into our bloodstreams. A diabetic body can’t process it properly. This leads to high blood sugar.

And high blood sugar can cause a variety of serious health complications. Mayo Clinic lists cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression among the many conditions associated with diabetes.

So, it’s essential to stay on top of blood sugar. Some medications work wonders. For example, a fair Farxiga price can help, along with lifestyle changes.

Because we can’t stop eating. In fact, according to the CDC, eating healthy food can help manage diabetes. So, we should focus on eating the best foods for lowering blood sugar.

Best Foods for Diabetes

It’s difficult to know which diet is ideal to manage diabetes. But your best bet is to eat foods low in carbohydrates.

First, low-carb foods can help control blood sugar in type 1 diabetes. And they can even reverse type 2 diabetes!

So, what are we talking about?

Protein

Meat, eggs, fish, and tofu are all great sources of protein. In particular, fatty fish like salmon are good for diabetics. They have a concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Those acids contribute to heart health, important for those with diabetes.

Dairy

Consider full-fat dairy products like cheese, butter, and cream. In particular, Greek yogurt has many benefits.

Vegetables

Non-starchy vegetables are some of the best foods for managing blood sugar. In particular, leafy greens provide nutrients that help protect your heart and eyes. But there are so many to choose from. Artichoke, broccoli, celery, eggplant, green beans, kale, peppers, spinach… the list goes on.

Avocadoes

While avocadoes are a vegetable, they deserve special mention. They are among the best foods for diabetes. Healthline notes, a study done in 2019 in mice found that avocatin B (AvoB), a fat molecule found in avocados, shows to inhibit incomplete oxidation in the pancreas and skeletal muscle, this, in turn, reduces insulin resistance.

Fiber

Many vegetables as well as nuts, beans, lentils, and oats have plenty of fiber. Berries can pack a punch, too. But diabetics will want to limit their intake of berries to one-half cup per day.

Reap the Rewards

When considering how to manage diabetes, altering a lifestyle is a small price to pay for the potential benefits. So, keep an eye on your blood sugar, exercise, and make sure to eat only the best foods for diabetes.

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