Diabetes does not mean you have to deprive yourself of all the foods you enjoy. In fact, the American Diabetes Association says you can eat almost any food. The key to controlling blood sugar with diet is controlling the portions and timing of your meals. You can eat a wide variety of delicious foods as a diabetic from each of the food groups.
Starches
As a diabetic, you must control the total amount of carbohydrates you eat. Carbohydrate-containing foods raise blood sugars. Starches act as one of the primary sources of carbohydrates in the diet. Limit your daily intake to six to 11 servings based on your calorie needs, according to the the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, or NIDDK. Eating more high-fiber starches can help you maintain better control over your blood sugar. Fiber in food slows digestion and the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Delicious diabetic starch choices include whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, grains, whole-grain cereal and crackers, peas, corn, potatoes, winter squash, animal crackers, graham crackers and popcorn.
Fruit
Fruits also provides carbohydrates. Limit your intake to two to four servings a day, according to NIDDK. Delicious diabetic fruits include apples, oranges, pineapple, mango, bananas, plums, peaches, nectarines, berries, melons, unsweetened canned fruit, unsweetened dried fruit and fruit juice. Eating more whole fruit instead of juice will help you better manage your blood sugar because of the fiber content.
Milk and Yogurt
In addition being sources of protein and calcium, milk and yogurt also contain carbohydrates, and you should limit intake to two servings a day. Low-fat and nonfat milk and yogurt items make healthier choices. Too much saturated fat in the diet increases blood cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. Delicious diabetic milk and yogurt choices include skim milk, 1 percent milk and nonfat, sugar-free fruit yogurt.
Sweets and Desserts
MayoClinic.com says you can include sweets and desserts in the diabetic diet as along as you control the amount you consume. When adding a sweet to the diet, it should replace another carbohydrate-containing food. Eat the sweet with a meal to prevent surges in blood sugar. Delicious diabetic sweets and desserts include a 1-oz. unfrosted brownie, 2 oz. angel food cake, two chocolate chip cookies, one medium plain cake doughnut or a 4-oz. serving of pudding.
Non-Starchy Vegetables
Diabetics can eat as many non-starchy vegetables as they want, according to the American Diabetes Association. Non-starchy vegetables are low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods. Delicious diabetic non-starchy food choices include leafy greens, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, eggplant, onions, peppers, zucchini, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach and green beans.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Meat and meat substitutes do not contain carbohydrates, but provide protein, zinc and iron. Limit intake to 4 to 7 oz. a day, according to NIDDK. Meats can also be a source of saturated fat, and lean meats make healthier choices. Delicious lean meat choices include skinless poultry, fish, shellfish, ham, pork chops, top sirloin and lean ground meat. Delicious low-fat meat substitutes include egg whites, egg substitutes, tofu, low-fat cheese and nonfat and low-fat cottage cheese.
