Choosing to eat responsibly is the best thing that you can do to protect your health. Knowing a little about diabetic friendly foods can help. Diabetic friendly foods are foods with a low glycemic value. These foods either contain a low amount of carbohydrates or they are composed of complex carbohydrates, and therefore do not cause your blood sugar levels to spike.
One category of diabetic friendly foods to know of is whole grains. Whole grains provide your body with the carbohydrates that it needs, but they are complex carbohydrates instead of simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates, such as processed or enriched breads and pastas, breakdown in your system quickly and lead to high blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, take longer to breakdown, giving your body the energy that it needs for longer periods of time and releasing the sugars more slowly.
Everyone knows that a healthy diet consists of a good amount of fruits and vegetables. However, when choosing these foods a diabetic should choose fresh fruits over fruit juices and raw foods over cooked. These choices will allow you to derive more nutrients from your foods as well as provide your body with more fiber, which help to keep your blood sugar levels from rising.
Cooking Diabetes Friendly Foods
Cooking products such as Crisco and margarine often consist of hydrogenated oils, which can lead to vascular and cardiovascular problems over time. Instead, opt to cook with vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or other natural types of oils which provide you body with the healthy fats that it needs. It is also recommended that diabetics eat fish because they are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to normal growth, good digestion, and heart health.
Protein can be a significant source of saturated fats, which can be harmful to your body when eaten in excess. However, your body still needs proteins to maintain and build muscle. They also help to reduce your appetite and help you to feel fuller for longer periods of time. It is better for diabetics to receive their protein from plant foods rather than animal sources, according to ExtendBar.com. Examples of diabetes friendly foods which are high in protein are black beans, fish, egg whites and soy. It is recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) that when choosing meats, choose a variety with ‘loin’ in the name, such as sirloin or tenderloin. This helps to reduce your fat intake.
