People with diabetes need to select foods that prevent sudden increases in blood sugar. Maintaining steady blood sugar levels prevents complications and reduces the risk for other serious medical problems. The glycemic index, or GI, ranks carbohydrates according to how quickly they cause blood sugar levels to increase. Diabetes should choose low-GI foods, defined by the University of Sydney as a food with a GI of 55 or less.
Unsweetened Juices
Fruit juices contain fiber, vitamins and minerals, but some companies add sugar and other sweeteners to their juices. Unsweetened juices give diabetics an alternative to sweetened beverages that cause blood sugar to spike rapidly. Unsweetened apple juice has a GI of 40, according to Kaye-Foster Powell, the co-author of the "New Glucose Revolution" book series. Unsweetened grapefruit juice has a GI of 48, and unsweetened pineapple juice has a GI of 46.
Multi-Grain Bread
White bread contains refined grains that contribute to increased glucose levels. Multi-grain bread offers a better choice for diabetics who need to control their blood sugar. Foster-Powell's glycemic index listing indicates that one slice of multi-grain bread made with 50 percent kibbled wheat grain has a GI of 43. In contrast, one slice of white bread made with wheat flour has a GI of 71, according to the University of Sydney.
Fruits
While fruits contain sugars like sucrose and fructose, some fruits do not increase blood glucose levels as much as others. Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports that apples, fresh cherries and fresh grapefruit have low GI values. Apples have a GI ranging from 28 to 44 depending on their production location, according to Foster-Powell's GI table. Fresh cherries have a GI of 22, and raw grapefruit has a GI of 25.
Vegetables
Any healthy diet should include plenty of vegetables because of their vitamin and mineral content. Some vegetables also have low GI values, making them useful for controlling blood glucose levels. Vegetables with low GI values include chickpeas, butter beans, kidney beans, green peas, red lentils, spinach, lettuce, zucchini, artichokes, celery and broccoli.
Milk and Yogurt
Dairy products contain natural sugars, but some types of dairy products do not have high GI values. One cup of whole milk has a GI of 34, as reported by the University of Sydney. Some yogurts also help control glucose levels because of their low GI values. Low-fat yogurt has a GI value that ranges from 14 to 33 depending on the brand and flavor. Non-fat yogurt has a GI value that ranges from 23 to 25, according to Foster-Powell's GI list.
