Diet plays an important role in managing your diabetes. As a diabetic, you do not need to eat any special types of food, but it is recommended that you follow a healthy diet like everyone else. In order to be successful at controlling your blood sugar, keep your home pantry stocked with healthy items. A grocery list complete with healthy foods can help you when shopping at the supermarket.
Produce
Produce makes up an important and healthy portion of your diabetic diet. Produce items are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Fruits contain carbohydrates and the American Diabetes Association suggests you limit your daily intake to three to four servings a day. Carbohydrates in food raise blood sugar. Fruits to add to your grocery list include small apples, oranges and bananas, pears, grapes, berries, melon, pears and cherries. Some vegetables also contain carbohydrates and are referred to as starchy vegetables, and include peas, corn, potatoes and winter squash. Starchy vegetables make a healthy contribution to your diet and can be added to your grocery list. Non-starchy vegetables contain only small amounts of carbohydrate and intake is not usually restricted. Non-starchy vegetables to add to your grocery list includes broccoli, green beans, carrots, leafy greens, green beans, mushroom, onions and eggplants.
Dairy Aisle
Some foods in the dairy aisle can be a source of fat and calories. Read labels to make good choices. Healthy options from the dairy aisle to add to your grocery list include skim milk, low-fat cheeses, eggs, egg substitutes, margarine and nonfat sugar-free yogurt.
Meat, Poultry and Fish
Meat, poultry and fish do not contain carbohydrates, but can be a source of calories and fat. Choose more lean cuts of meat to limit your intake. Lean meat options to add to your grocery list include skinless white meat poultry, fish, beef eye of round, pork loin and lamb chops. When looking at processed meats, like hot dogs and luncheon meats, choose items that have less than 3 g of fat per serving.
Baked Goods
The American Diabetes Association says you do not need to avoid foods in the baked goods aisle, but it helps to make wise food choices and control the amount you eat. Whole-grain breads can be found in the baked good aisle and make a healthy addition to your grocery list. When it comes to sweets, go for small pre-portioned items like cookies, and try cake and brownies without frosting. Lower-calorie sweets you can add to your grocery list include vanilla wafers and angel food cake.
Canned and Dry Foods
Grains and starches can be found in the canned and dry foods aisle. Starches and grains contain carbohydrates and intake needs to be controlled. Choosing high fiber starches and grains can help you better manage your blood sugar. Canned and dry foods to add to your grocery list include whole wheat pasta, brown rice, barley, dried or canned legumes, low-sodium canned starchy vegetables, whole-grain cereals and crackers, unsweetened canned fruits, low-sodium broth-based soups and low-sugar jellies.
Frozen Foods
Many items in the frozen food aisle contain high amounts of calories, carbohydrates and fat. Healthy items you can add to your grocery list include frozen fruits and vegetables without added sauces and low-fat, low-calorie frozen meals. Many frozen meals are also high in sodium so don't eat these foods all of the time.
