The United States spent over $170 billion treating diabetes in 2007, the American Diabetes Association reports. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common type of diabetes, responsible for 90 percent of all diabetes cases, the ADA adds. If you have diabetes, follow the instructions given to you by your health care team. Your doctor may recommend a low protein diet to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease -- a disease that affects 20 percent of diabetics, the Better Health Channel reports. These foods without protein for diabetics may help make following your low protein diet easier.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in nutrients like vitamin C and calcium but contains virtually no protein. Eating a diet rich in green leafy veggies like spinach can assist in weight control as they fill you up without contributing many calories, MayoClinic.com reports. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is important for the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Spinach can be used in soups, salads, stir fries and casseroles.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain more antioxidants than many commonly eaten fruits and veggies. According to A.J. Stull of Louisiana State University, eating blueberries may improve blood glucose control. In research published in the October 2010 "Journal of Nutrition," Stull states that eating whole blueberries or supplementing with blueberry extract boosts insulin sensitivity. Blueberries can be used as a fruit base for smoothies, as a healthy dessert or in diabetes-friendly desserts.
Red Wine
The active compound in red wine -- known as resveratrol -- can help people with diabetes keep their blood sugar under control, Science Daily reports. Resveratrol inhibits the activity of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme in the intestine that digests sugary and starchy foods. Drinking a glass of red wine with food may delay the passage of carbohydrates in the bloodstream --reducing the incidence of harmful blood sugar spikes.
Green Tea
Green tea contains a unique nutrient known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Drinking EGCG-rich green tea daily can make your cells more sensitive to the action of insulin, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports.
References
- ADA: Diabetes Cost Calculator
- "Journal of Nutrition": Bioactives in Blueberries Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Obese, Insulin-Resistant Men and Women
- Mayo Clinic: Energy density and weight loss: Feel full on fewer calories
- Science Daily: Red Wine, Tea, May Help Regulate Blood Sugar In Type 2 Diabetics, Research Suggests
- UMMC: Green Tea
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