People with diabetes have elevated blood sugars due to an inability to make enough or effectively use their insulin. Treatment involves diet, medication and exercise. When it comes to controlling diabetes with diet, the American Diabetes Association recommends a healthy intake consisting of a variety of foods in moderate amounts. Consult a physician before making major changes to your diet.
Fruits
Fruits contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals and fiber, and make a healthy choice for people with diabetes. Fruit contains carbohydrates and intake needs to be controlled, says the American Diabetes Association. Carbohydrates in foods raise blood sugar and limiting the total amount you eat at each meal, usually about 45 to 60 g, and throughout the day can help you better manage your diabetes. Fresh, frozen and canned fruits make the best choices. Common choices and serving sizes include for diabetes control includes one small apple or orange, 1 1/4 cup of watermelon, 4 oz. banana, 17 grapes and 12 cherries. Each serving contains 15 g of carbohydrate.
Dairy
Milk and yogurt contain carbohydrates and intake needs to be controlled for blood sugar management. Low-fat and nonfat milk and yogurt foods make the best choices. Common foods and serving sizes include 1 cup of skim or 1 percent fat milk, 2/3 cup of nonfat plain yogurt or nonfat light yogurt and 1 cup of soy milk. One serving contains 12 g of carbohydrate.
Whole Grains
Out of the starchy foods, whole grains make the healthiest choice, says the American Diabetes Association. Whole grains contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber. Whole grains also contain carbohydrate and each 1-oz. or 1/2-cup serving contains 15 g of carbohydrate. Common whole grain choices to control diabetes includes bulgur, whole wheat, wild rice, brown rice, quinoa. Although not whole-grains, starchy vegetables and legumes are also healthy starch choices with high amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals, and common food choices to control diabetes includes peas, corn, potatoes, winter squash, lentils, chickpeas and kidney beans.
Lean Meats
Meats do not contain carbohydrate and do not affect blood sugar. Some meats can be high in fat and calories making lean meats the preferred choice for people with diabetes. For balance, the American Diabetes Association recommends a 2- to 5-oz. serving of lean meat at meals. Common foods include skinless poultry, eggs, select or choice beef, fish, shellfish, pork center loin chop and veal loin chop. Processed meats, such as hot dogs and luncheon meats, with less than 3 g of fat per serving are also acceptable.
Non-starchy Vegetables
Non-starchy vegetables are low in calories and carbohydrate and high in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber. The American Diabetes Association says you can eat as many non-starchy vegetables as you want to help satisfy hunger and control blood sugar. Common choices to control diabetes includes artichokes, asparagus, baby corn, bean, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, eggplant, leeks, okra, peppers, radishes and salad greens.
