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Foods to Eat to Combat Diabetes

Diabetes (type 2) is a condition in which a person's body cannot respond appropriately to blood sugar levels by making enough insulin, a hormone that helps release sugar into cells. Medications can help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, but by eating and drinking the appropriate foods, you can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is the inability of the body to make insulin. Insulin shots, and not diet alone, effectively manage this type of diabetes.

  1. Pomegranate Juice

    • Those with type 2 diabetes must limit consumption of sugar-laden foods such as fruit juices. However, the sugars in pomegranate juice are attached to antioxidants and don't spike blood sugar levels in the same way as orange juice does.

    Cinnamon

    • Research suggests that as little as two to three teaspoons of cinnamon a day, used in hot beverages, cereals, fish, vegetable and fruit dishes, can reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides and cholesterol.

    Fish Fats

    • Those with diabetes often shun fats due to their risk of heart disease, but fish and nut oils lower high triglycerides (a risk factor of diabetes) and raise the good cholesterol (HDL).

    Agave

    • Agave nectar is a clear syrup produced by the agave plant. As a sweetener, it's ideal for those with diabetes because it doesn't raise blood sugar as high as table sugar, honey or other natural sweeteners.

    Barley

    • Barley is a grain often used in beer, cereals, stews and soups. This grain has the lowest glycemic index (a rating that shows a food's effects on blood sugar) of all grains. This low index rating means barley is safe for a type 2 diabetes diet.

    Yogurt

    • The lactose (a type of milk sugar) in low-fat yogurt may help those with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels low. Lactose is converted into blood sugar at a much slower pace than other naturally occurring sugars.

    Some Sweets are Safe

    • It's not the sugar (glucose) in cakes and cookies that spell danger for those with diabetes per se; carbohydrates send blood sugar soaring too. Desserts should be eaten with a meal, in moderate portions and balanced against other carb-containing foods.

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