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Recommended Foods for High Blood Sugar

Glucose, or sugar, is used by the cells in your body for energy. A hormone called insulin usually helps process sugar and control glucose levels in your blood, but the amount of sugar in your blood can build up if your body stops making insulin or can't use it properly. High blood sugar can cause many complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage. To avoid these effects, you need to choose food carefully to keep your blood sugar levels balanced.

  1. Carbohydrates

    • Since carbohydrates break down into sugar, many diabetics avoid them. Simple carbs such as doughnuts, cookies, most fast food and boxed convenience foods that are high on the glycemic index, which ranks food according to its effect on blood sugar, should be avoided. Complex carbs such as whole grains, brown rice and oats that have a lower number on the glycemic index should be eaten at each meal. Starchy foods like potatoes, corn, white bread, and pasta should be limited. Choose less processed foods rather than highly processed foods with additives.

    Protein

    • Proteins don't increase blood sugar levels. Some plant food and all animal food contain protein. To avoid risk of heart disease, the American Diabetes Association recommends that you eat animal food such as fish, lean meat, skinless poultry and low fat dairy as well as plant food such as red beans, pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, nuts, lentils and split peas. Keep in mind that when you use beans as protein you also need to count them as starch, as they contain carbohydrates.

    Vegetables

    • You should eat five or more servings of fresh or frozen vegetables such as brussels sprouts, pumpkin, tomatoes, onions, peppers, cucumbers, celery and carrots each day. Dark green and bitter vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, greens, kale, broccoli, and cabbage help regulate blood sugar.

    Fruit

    • Eat two to four servings of fresh fruit that's high in fiber but low in sugar each day. Food high in fiber breaks down in the bloodstream slowly, regulating blood sugar levels. Apples, oranges, bananas, and berries are good choices. Fruit juice is higher in carbohydrates than fruit, so it should be diluted. If you eat canned or frozen fruit, read nutrition labels to be sure sugar and high carbohydrate juices aren't added.

    Fat

    • Avoid processed food containing a lot of fat. Good fats can be used in moderation to help control blood sugar. These include omega 3 oils such as olive oil, fish oil and canola oil that lower the risk of developing heart disease.

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