Healthy Foods For Patients With Insulin Metabolism Dysfunction

Insulin metabolism dysfunction, often referred to as insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, occurs when your body no longer responds to normal concentrations of insulin. As a result, your pancreas must work hard to produce more insulin and try to do its job. With insulin resistance, you are at increased risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancers and cardiovascular problems. Eating foods that have a lower carbohydrate content can help reduce your insulin, improve your blood sugar metabolism and help the good functioning of your body.

Nuts

To improve metabolism and functioning of insulin, nuts are a healthy snack option. Don't go overboard on the serving size; limit yourself to 1 oz. of raw or roasted nuts or 2 tbsp. of nut butter. For example, you can complete your breakfast with 1 oz. of almonds, snack on 1 oz. of macadamia nuts or enjoy 1 to 2 tbsp. of peanut butter for dessert, but don't do all of these on the same day. Have no more than one serving of nuts per day to keep your weight under control.

Nonstarchy Vegetables

Nonstarchy vegetables are healthy foods to include in each of your meals. They provide important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to protect your health; they also have a very low carbohydrate content and will help control your insulin. Include at least 1 to 2 cups at each meal. For example, add mushrooms and red bell peppers to scrambled eggs at breakfast, eat a salad with spinach, cucumber and tomatoes for lunch and have a generous side of stir-fried onion, broccoli and cauliflower for dinner.

Protein Foods

Protein-rich foods can help you feel more satisfied. Include a source of protein at each meal. For example, eat eggs, cheese or sausage for breakfast and chicken, salmon, tuna, shrimp, beef or pork for lunch or dinner. Eating protein can help you lose weight, by reducing hunger and cravings, which can help your insulin function better.

Avocado, Olive Oil and Coconut Oil

Reducing the amounts of carbs you eat, especially from desserts, soft drinks, breads, pasta, rice, potatoes and breakfast cereals, can help lower your insulin levels and improve the way your body metabolize the nutrients you eat. If you restrict carbs, you will need to slightly increase your intake of healthy fats to get the energy your body needs to function well. For example, cook scrambled eggs and mushrooms in olive oil for breakfast, add avocado slices to your salad at lunch and cook shrimp or salmon in coconut oil for dinner.

Berries and Dark Chocolate

To control insulin levels, improve insulin sensitivity and correct dysfunctions in your body, avoid sweets and desserts. If you want a little something special for dessert, opt for a small serving of berries or dark chocolate. Berries contain fewer carbs than do other fruits, and dark chocolate, with a minimum of 70 percent cocoa, has fewer carbohydrates than milk or white chocolate. Eat a few strawberries dipped in dark chocolate, a small bowl of fresh raspberries or two to three squares of high-quality dark chocolate for a healthy treat.