Far from what is commonly thought, diabetics can eat from a wide-ranging menu--as long as they eat foods that help them maintain a blood sugar level in the healthy range. Families of diabetics can easily make tasty meals from the healthy foods they are able to choose from. If the diabetic doesn't pay attention to his doctor's or dietitian's recommendations and continues to eat foods high in sugar and fat, his health will eventually suffer.
Vegetables and Fruits: Yes
Foods in this group include those high in fiber content, such as carrots, celery, broccoli, green bell peppers, spinach and cauliflower. Diabetic patients should eat three to five servings of vegetables high in fiber per day. The American Diabetic Association considers vegetables like corn, cooked beans, peas and squash to be starches and lower in fiber, so smaller quantities of these vegetables are advisable.
Diabetics should eat two to four servings of fruit per day. Equivalents include one cup of berries or melon, a small piece of fruit such as an apple, 1/2 cup of canned fruit in light syrup and 2 tbsp. of dried fruit.
Grains and Starches: Yes
The diabetic should strive to eat six to 11 servings of foods containing grains or starches. Foods in this category are counted as carbohydrates, which help to provide energy. The foods in this family include rice, bread, cereal and pasta; one serving is equivalent to a half cup of potatoes or one slice of bread.
Milk and Dairy: Yes
The diabetic should eat two to three servings of milk and other dairy products such as cheese and low-fat, sugar-free yogurt every day. One serving is the equivalent of one cup of yogurt or milk. Because whole milk contains fat, diabetics should drink reduced fat or 2 percent milk or fat-free milk in order to avoid ingesting too much fat.
Lean Meats: Yes
Lean meats are best for diabetics. These include skinless chicken and turkey with the fat cut off, limited amounts of lean cuts of red meat, eggs, tofu and peanut butter. Ideally, the diabetic should eat 4 to 6 oz. from this group per day.
White Sugar: No
White sugar provides diabetics no nutrients. The sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream, spiking the blood glucose level to a high level. When white sugar is combined with fats, the diabetic patient is at an even higher risk of unnecessary weight gain and cholesterol problems.
Fats: No
Saturated fats stimulate the production of cholesterol in the body. For diabetics, a high cholesterol is especially risky because it makes them more prone to developing cardiac disease. Saturated fats are found in red meats and some dairy products.
Tropical oils, coconut oil, cocoa butter and palm oil are high in saturated fats and should be strictly avoided by the diabetic. People who have habitually consumed foods containing trans-fatty acids are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Red Meats: No
Red meats such as beef and organ meats like liver are risky choices for diabetics because of the high levels of cholesterol. In addition to avoiding organ meats and red meat, diabetics should also stay away from egg yolks--but egg whites are fine.
White Flour: No
Instead of eating white bread, the diabetic should choose baked items made from whole grains. Bread and other baked goods made from white flour provide only empty calories with little or no nutritional value for the diabetic.
