Healthy food swaps to help with blood sugar and diabetes management
Dr. Ganesh Kadhe recommends including a diabetes-specific formula in your diet plan, in addition to lifestyle changes and regular exercise.
People who have prediabetes or diabetes must exercise extreme caution regarding their eating habits. As a result, determining which foods and beverages are the best choices can be challenging. But don't worry, Dr. Ganesh Kadhe, associate director, nutrition medical and scientific affairs, Abbott, has compiled a list of foods that will keep your blood sugar levels stable.
Low glycemic index foods include lentils, kidneys, black, and chickpea beans. It means that their carbohydrates are released gradually, making them less likely to cause blood sugar spikes.
They're so beneficial that a recent study discovered that eating a daily cup of beans as part of a low-glycemic diet for three months reduced (hemoglobin A1c) HbA1c levels by half a percentage point.
Apples
You might think that fruits have no place in a diabetic diet, but apples are also low glycemic. 1 way to control blood sugar levels is to eat soft or medium foods on the glycemic index. In addition, eating an apple every day has its advantages: high in fiber, vitamin C, and fat-free! Not to mention a convenient and portable snack option.
Almonds
These crunchy nuts are high in magnesium, a mineral that aids the body's use of its insulin.
Spinach
This leafy green vegetable has only 21 calories per cooked cup and is high in magnesium or fiber, both of which are beneficial to blood sugar levels. Furthermore, spinach can be eaten raw, sautéed with olive oil, in your favorite palak paneer, or blended, making it a versatile choice!
Chia seeds
One of the most delicate parts you can do to raise your blood sugar is losing or managing weight. Chia seeds can assist with this. In one study, all are with diabetes who ate an ounce of chia seeds every day for six months lost four pounds and cut an inch and a half off their waistlines. Aside from being high in fiber, these little gems also contain protein and provide 18% of your daily calcium requirement.