With a pudding-like texture and a slightly tart flavor, Greek yogurt also has more protein and fewer carbs and fewer sugars than traditional yogurt. This means that Greek yogurt can be even better for people with type 2 diabetes, says Tami Ross, RD, CDE, a diabetes educator in Lexington, Kentucky.
“Yogurt naturally contains both high-quality carbohydrates and protein, making it an excellent food for slowing or preventing an unhealthy rise in blood sugar,” Ficek says.
If you have diabetes, look for Greek yogurt or Icelandic yogurt (also called skyr). During preparation of these, some of the whey is removed, leaving behind a thick, protein-rich product with fewer carbs than other types of yogurt. They also have lower levels of lactose (around 5%) than other yogurts.
Popular brands: Chobani, Fage, and Dannon Oikos. Nutrition information: One 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of Dannon Oikos plain Greek yogurt contains 100 kcal; 0 g fat; 0 g sat fat; 7 g carbohydrate; 7 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; and 18 g protein.
People with diabetes should include dairy in their diet as a way to get calcium, high-quality protein, and other important nutrients. Many dairy products easily fit into a diabetes meal plan, and low-fat and fat-free Chobani® yogurt are among the best options. Chobani® yogurt fits the bill!
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommend yogurt as part of a healthful diet for people with diabetes. There are many different types of yogurt available. The examples below are also available with added probiotics: Greek yogurt contains double the protein of conventional yogurt.
If you have type 2 diabetes breakfast cereals made with wholegrains can help to manage blood glucose levels, they release glucose more slowly as they are low GI. Weetabix, Oatibix and Shredded Wheat can make for good choices.
Milk. Switching to lower-fat milk, such as semi-skimmed milk (green top) from whole milk (blue top), which contains the most fat, is a good start. To make even more of a difference, try 1 per cent fat milk (orange top) or even better skimmed milk (red top).
Generally speaking, yes, it's OK to eat honey if you have diabetes. But you should consume it in moderation. Although honey has a lower glycemic index (GI) than table sugar, it still contains sugar. And any type of sugar will raise your blood glucose levels.
Blackberries and blueberries won't raise blood sugar levels as much as other fruits. These berries are high in fiber and have the highest concentrations of anthocyanins, which inhibit certain digestive enzymes to slow down digestion. They also prevent spikes in blood sugar after eating starch-rich meals.
Yes, the fiber and antioxidants in blueberries promote a more stable blood sugar response. Whether you have diabetes or not, blueberries make for a sweet, fiber-filled, blood-sugar-friendly addition to any diet.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you can still enjoy plenty of fresh berries in your diet. Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries all score low on the glycemic index – so you can enjoy them as a great, healthy source of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants.
People with diabetes can eat sourdough bread or any other bread that fits into their dietary plan. That said, because sourdough has a lower glycemic index than other bread varieties, it can be a particularly good choice if you're watching your blood sugar levels.
How Much Bread Can You Eat with Diabetes? "People with diabetes can eat bread as long as it fits either their meal plan or within their carbohydrate counting allowance," says Kitty Broihier, M.S., RD, LD. "In general, that means choosing a slice that has 15 grams of carbohydrates for sandwiches."
GOOD FOR DIABETICS: People who have diabetes should eat toasted bread rather than plain bread.
Eat plenty of beans
They don't have a big impact on blood glucose and may help to control blood fats such as cholesterol. Try kidney beans, chickpeas, green lentils, and even baked beans: hot in soups and casseroles, cold in salads, in baked falafel, bean burgers and low fat hummus and dahls.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes consume fruit in moderation, including bananas. This doesn't mean you should ignore those carbohydrates, but you should consider how many carbs you need daily.
Porridge oats or the instant variety are both fine - just avoid those with added free sugars like honey and golden syrup. Wheat biscuits, shredded wheat or muesli (with no added sugar) are also great alternatives. For sweetness, add chopped fruit.
Tomatoes are not high in sugar, and neither are carrots. Tomatoes, similar to carrots, are considered a non-starchy vegetable in meal planning for diabetes. This means that the amount of naturally occurring sugar is minimal in a serving.