Related Articles


Healthy Foods for Diabetics: You'll Be Surprised

by Vince Barry

So you've been diagnosed with diabetes. What do you do now? Feel like you're staring at a permanent diet of the boring, the bland, the tasteless? And even if you are keeping your blood sugar under control, you might still be missing out on some vital nutrients. The bad news is that what you put into your body played a large role in making you sick. The good news is that what you eat can also make you feel better, if not cure you. Is there a way out of this food hell? Fortunately, there is a solution, and a tasty, nutritious one at that. VinBar's List of Healthy Foods for Diabetics is really part of the ideal diet for diabetics, and it's is a delicious, nutritious way to you're your sugar under control but enjoy life as well. And, while the common 'wisdom' is to stay away from all things carb and sugar, that's just isn't the case. Check out my list below.

Healthy Foods for Diabetics

Be Full of Beans! Beans are chock full of healthy nutrition. You've got black beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans, pinto beans and kidney beans to tickle your fancy (if not your nostrils!). Half a cup of these beans every day is enough to fulfill your nutritional requirements.

Beans are an excellent source of fiber and contain essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium. One serving of beans contains as much protein as an ounce of meat, but without the dangerous saturated fats which put meats most definitely on the UN-healthy foods for diabetics list.

Leafy Green Vegetables Low calories and great nutrition make the leafy greens a great choice. Some of the top picks in green leafy vegetables include kale, spinach and collards. The fresher they are, the better they are! Calcium, Vitamins A and E: the leafy greens are tops on the Vinbar Healthy Foods for Diabetics list! All it takes is a little olive oil and garlic and you've got a great healthy side dish!

Citrus Fruits Diabetics CAN enjoy a little bit of sweet food after all. Lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits are packed with the anti-oxidant Vitamin C and are high in fiber. And did I say they're sweet?

Yam and Sweet Potatoes Who would have thought's they'd find potatoes on the a list of Healthy Foods for Diabetics! Use them instead of the regular potatoes and you could make a great deal of difference to your overall glycemic index. Sweet potatoes and yams are also an excellent sources of Vitamin A and fiber.

Berries Antioxidants are an absolute must for the diabetic, and berries have them! Berries not only taste great but offer numerous health benefits, too. Their antioxidants destroy the free radicals that can do so much damage. Besides, they're also packed with vitamins and fiber. Go for blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or any other berries of your choice.

Tomatoes Tomatoes are full of healthy nutrients. They've got Vitamin E, iron and Vitamin C. Eat 'em raw in a salad, or cooked in a sauce or soup. Alternatively, you can opt for tomato juice as well. (But don't go the juice route for the citrus!)

Fish Fish is a diabetes wonderfood; it's probably tops on the Healthy Food for Diabetics list. But you need to be careful about the fish you choose. What you need is fish that are high in omega 3 fatty acids. Wild-caught salmon is the best option here, but also look at cod, sardines, anchovies. Also don't forget the cod liver oil!

Whole Grains Yes, you can still have some bread! Just remember VinBar's motto: "If it's white, it ain't right!" Unlike processed grains, whole grains offer a lot more nutrients and fiber. Whole grain contain nutrients like magnesium, chromium, potassium and omega 3 fatty acids. Barley, maize, and oats are some good choices in whole grains.

So now you know that your diabetes doesn't mean your stuck with a diet of bland, boring, tasteless food. Knowledge is power, and now that you know about Vinbar's List of Healthy Foods for Diabetics, you can actually look forward to your meals. The food on this list not only tastes great, but it will make you healthier and fitter-and happier. Opt for the items on VinBar's Healthy Foods for Diabetics list and you'll not only be controlling your sugar, but you'll be improving your body's overall health and functioning as well. Visit Vince Barry for more tips on health, fitness and nutrition.

Published August 13th, 2010

Filed in Food