Mediterranean Diet: Best foods for people living with Diabetes
Diabetes is a difficult disease to manage, with poor diet only exacerbating that difficulty. In fact, a healthy diet is necessary to keep blood glucose levels within an optimal range, which is a critical requirement for people with diabetesWith its focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and moderate amounts of fish and dairy, this diet is not only great for managing diabetes, but it might even help prevent it. In fact, one study of 25,000 overweight, female health care providers found those who followed theMediterranean diet had a 30% lower risk of developing diabetes 20 years later
Some Studies Suggest This Diet Might:
- Improve fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C levels in people with type 2 diabetes
- Result in an 83% lower chance of developing diabetes
- Help prevent diabetes among those at high cardiovascular risk
Foods Emphasized:
Think of it less as a diet and more as a flexible way to eat. And enjoy the world’s healthiest diet by stocking up on the following
- Fatty fish – such as salmon and mackerel
- Lean protein – such as garbanzo beans, cannellini beans, chicken breast, and eggs
- Nuts and seeds- such as almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pepitas
- Whole grains- such as whole-wheat pasta or pitas, quinoa, bulgur, and farro
- Healthy fats – such as olive oil and avocados
- Fresh produce – such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, apples, pears, zucchini and melons
- Herbs and seasonings – such as fresh parsley, mint, basil, rosemary, and garlic, cinnamon
