See what are the best diet options for diabetics

A good diet is the main pillar in glucose control. Thus, maintaining a dietary plan can help the patient's body to maintain sugar levels in the blood in the target range, thereby reducing the risks of complications such as nerve damage, heart disease and strokes. Check now which are the best options for diabetic diet.

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What to eat with diabetes?

With type 2 diabetes, be sure to choose a diet that contains plenty of foods that can provide the nutrients, fiber, vitamins and minerals your body needs.

So you also need to include a variety of heart-healthy fats in your diet, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. This is because they can help reduce cholesterol levels.

Likewise, consuming fiber-rich foods can help control blood sugar and keep you fuller for longer, preventing overeating. Also, check out some examples of nutritious foods that should be included in your diet below:

• In the fruit group, we have apple, orange, melon, pear and peach;
• In the whole grain group, we have quinoa, oats and brown rice;
• As for legumes, we have beans, lentils and chickpeas;
• In the vegetable group, we have broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, cucumber and zucchini;
• In the oilseeds group, we have walnuts, almonds, pistachios, macadamias and cashew nuts;
• In seeds, we have chia, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds and hemp seeds;
• Protein-rich foods such as skinless poultry, seafood, lean cuts of red meat, and tofu.
• Heart-healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, canola oil, and sesame oil
• In the beverage group, we have water, black coffee, unsweetened tea and vegetable juice.

What to avoid having diabetes?

Even with type 2 diabetes, there aren't many foods you need to avoid. However, some choices are better in nutrients than others. Thus, it is possible to exchange foods that are poorer sources of vitamins and minerals for options that are more compatible with your needs.

Therefore, limiting consumption of foods high in saturated fat, trans fat and sugar can improve glucose control and prevent health complications related to diabetes. So, here are some options that diabetics should avoid in their diet:

• Meats with a high fat content;
• Whole dairy products;
• Candy;
• Sugar-sweetened beverages;
• sweeteners;
• Processed and ultra-processed foods;
• Trans fats.