|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

Natural Diet for Diabetes

Diabetes can be controlled through diet and natural cures. Often, healthy dietary habits and lifestyle modifications can reduce or eliminate the need for insulin. The key is to know what habits and foods should be embraced and which should be avoided.

  1. Fresh Fruits and Raw Vegetables

    • Every diet should contain fruits and vegetables to maintain health, but a diabetic definitely needs these foods to stay healthy. It is important to know which are the best and how they must be eaten. Fruits like bananas, pomegranate, blackberries and cranberries are full of antioxidants and highly recommended in a diabetic diet. Vegetables like spinach, carrots, cabbage, radishes and artichokes are also great for a diabetic. They contain antioxidant properties and help keep the pancreas (which produces insulin) functioning properly.

    Fiber & Glycemic Index

    • The glycemic index ranks foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels. The factors include rate of absorption and digestion, ripeness, degree of processing and the nature of the starch in each food. Foods containing lots of fiber with a low glycemic index should be staples in any diabetic diet. This means complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain breads, oatmeal, barley, nuts and beans should be included. Foods with a high glycemic index such as waffles, doughnuts, rolls, rice cakes and potatoes should be avoided. A diet high in fiber can decrease the need for insulin. Over time, diabetics who consistently eat fiber-rich foods may see the need for insulin disappear.

    Supplements

    • There are many natural supplements that are known to benefit diabetics. Magnesium and chromium help improve insulin sensitivity. Both can be found in pill form at the local grocery or drug store, and chromium can be found in foods such as mushrooms, whole grains, sunflower seeds and corn oil.

    What To Avoid

    • Keep salty and fried foods to a minimum. This includes fast food, red meat, processed foods and anything cooked in butter or lard. Do not consume more than 2 cups of tea or coffee each day. Herbal, green and parsley teas are better choices as they contain more nutrients and antioxidants. Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach. This will increase the likelihood of low blood glucose level or hypoglycemia. Cook with oils that are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Avoid oils such as palm kernel and coconut oils as these are saturated fats and may contribute to heart problems for diabetics.

Diabetes - Related Articles