Living with diabetes requires that you live a certain way, but that only extends to managing blood sugar, something which with today’s medical technology and knowledge of this well-understood disease is not difficult at all. Therefore, diabetes sufferers, as most people know, can live a full and fulfilling life doing everything that everybody else can. All this takes is the knowledge of how to manage your blood sugar.
Since our sugar intake comes from the food we eat and drink, this is largely a matter of diet. There are some obvious pointers, all revolving around the sugar content of whatever passes our lips, but that’s not to say that some fine tuning of your diet cannot be done.
And of course, new health foods are being developed all the time; new products with different nutritional values are being released constantly. Just look at the shelves of any market and you’ll soon notice the great variety on offer. That variety can get a little confusing though, so some advice on what the best foods are to choose for diabetics is in order.
How Does Diabetes Work?
Of course, anybody with diabetes reading this article can skip this part, but for those who may be cooking for diabetic friends or are simply interested, it is worth going over how diabetes effects the body.
Diabetes is a lifelong condition which causes a person’s blood sugar levels to become too high. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar, and diabetics do not produce enough of it. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and the far more common type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is where the body suffers an autoimmune response that destroys the insulin producing cells. Type 2 is where the body just doesn’t produce enough of the stuff. This is why diabetics must inject insulin to keep blood sugar levels in check.
Nevertheless, as well as injecting insulin, it is also wise for diabetics not to consume too much sugar from food and drink. This is where the diabetic diet comes in.
Top Health Foods for Diabetics
So, what does a diabetic diet look like? Here are some of the best foods and drink to go for if you have this condition:
Water
Everybody drinks water of course but diabetics in particular should have hydration on their minds. Optimal hydration ensures that your body has enough water to get rid of excess glucose (sugar). However, not all water is created equal. Synergy Science, a company specializing in water-based health products, advise that exploring alternative water products that offer more efficient hydration is a wise move. Hydrogen water, in particular, can hydrate more efficiently on account of the extra hydrogen molecule it contains.
Fatty Fish
A health classic. Salmon, sardines, herring, and the like are all sources of omega three, which regulates heart health. Diabetics are at greater risk of heart disease, so this comes much recommended.
Avocados
With less than 1g of sugar, a low amount of carbohydrates, and a high fiber content, avocados are one of those super foods that can contribute to a healthy overall diet without raising blood sugar by any discernable amount.
Chia Seeds
Low in indigestible carbs yet packed with fiber, chia seeds are another great food for those living with diabetes. The fiber in question – viscous fiber – can even help lower blood sugar levels. This food was basically made for diabetics.
These are just a handful of the new (and not-so-new) health foods people with diabetes should seriously investigate. A diet including all of these can very easily become a daily habit.