There is no concrete cure for diabetes but there are several procedures that can help a diabetic manage their condition more effectively. A lot of our risk when it comes to diabetes is genetic. But there are a number of lifestyle factors that can play a significant role, too. For example, things like exercise and healthy diet can reduce the risk of diabetes in each of us. So what exactly constitutes a healthy diet? Well, here are five foods to include every day:
Legumes
Chickpeas and lentils are so versatile and good for reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes.
A diet rich in foods that are high in fiber and protein can jumpstart your weight loss efforts, which will help to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Plus, they’re also packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals like folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin K that can promote optimal health.
Vegetables
All vegetables are good for you, but you should eat more non-starchy and green types if you want to prevent diabetes.
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts nourish you with essential vitamins and minerals to keep your body running smoothly.
Aside from fiber and protein, cruciferous vegetables contain a compound called sulforaphane that has been found to decrease inflammation as well as protect against damage of blood vessels all in one.
Additionally, spinach is a great source of magnesium which helps ensure your body uses insulin to manage blood sugar levels.
Fruits
Eating fruit on a daily basis will decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
To reduce the risk of diabetes, turn to fiber rich foods such as apples, berries and citrus fruits.
Oatmeal
Eating oatmeal can help keep you full a long time, and may even help prevent you from snacking before lunch. Fiber found in oat meal can help you to keep blood sugar steady and help you lower the risk of diabetes.
Nuts
Eating a high-carb diet (which is exactly what we would expect from consuming food items that are also high in sugar) causes insulin levels to heighten in the body, which can lead to diabetes.
The more you snack on refined carbs, the higher your insulin levels will become, which means your blood sugar spikes after each carb intake and it makes it harder for our body to do its job of regulating blood sugar.
To curb those afternoon carb cravings, snack on foods high in protein and fat-such as nuts-to keep you full until dinner time.
Additionally, nuts are high in polyunsaturated fats which slow the development of type 2 diabetes.