Sweet potatoes have a sterling nutritional profile, making them a great food for people with diabetes. Here's how to start incorporating them into your diet. Sweet potatoes are one of the most popular foods for diabetes at
A typical serving size is ½ cup, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kaufman recommends half of a medium-size sweet potato for most people with diabetes because this is the equivalent of 15 grams of carbohydrates.
When it comes to foods for type 2 diabetes, not all potatoes are created equal. To keep your blood sugar levels in check, it's best to reach for sweet potatoes, which are high in fiber (eat the skin for more fiber), as well as a host of other vitamins.
They contain slow-release carbohydrates and fiber, which help reduce blood sugar levels. The anti-diabetic property of sweet potato may be attributed to phytochemical adiponectin, which lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetic patients. Sweet potato contains fiber and helps reduce cholesterol levels.
Best type of potatoes for diabetes
Sweet potatoes are one of the best types of potato for people with diabetes, as they are low-GI and contain more fiber than white potatoes. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Carisma potatoes, a variety of white potato, are another lower-GI option.
“Carrots are considered a nonstarchy vegetable, along with options such as broccoli and lettuce,” Ficek says. “These foods are safe for people with diabetes to eat at each meal without worry that glucose levels will spike.”
With so few carbohydrates, a high fiber content, and healthful fat, people with diabetes can enjoy an avocado in moderation without the stress of raising their blood sugar levels. Pairing an avocado with other foods may help reduce blood sugar spikes too.
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.
Broccoli, spinach, and cabbage are three diabetes-friendly veggies because they are low in starch. Filling up with vegetables is a great way to keep your blood sugar levels in check.
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.
Share on Pinterest Tomatoes can help reduce blood pressure for people with diabetes. Fresh, whole tomatoes have a low glycemic index (GI) score. Foods with a low GI score release their sugar slowly into the bloodstream and are unlikely to trigger a blood sugar spike. One reason for this is that they provide fiber.
Protein-rich foods like eggs can play an important role in regulating blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Plus, eggs contain many essential vitamins and minerals, and have just 80 calories each.
When striving for a well-balanced diet, people with diabetes may wonder whether carbohydrate foods, like white rice, are a good option to include in their eating patterns. The short answer is: yes! While everyone's needs are unique, white rice can certainly be part of a healthy eating pattern for those with diabetes.
In short, yes, it's safe to drink coffee if you have diabetes. Although the research on coffee's benefits is mixed, as long as you keep an eye on your blood sugar and stick to coffee with less sugar, drinking coffee shouldn't be dangerous.
Tomatoes and Blood Sugar—What the Science Says
As a result, eating a tomato—in your salad, for instance—shouldn't lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. A recent meta-analysis of research on tomatoes, found that there was no significant effect of tomato consumption on fasting blood glucose levels.
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.
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.
Summary. Yogurt is rich in nutrients and can be a healthy snack for people with diabetes. Greek and Icelandic yogurts offer the fewest carbohydrate, but other types of yogurt can still be okay if you're watching your blood sugar.