Helpful Foods for Managing Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body is no longer able to produce or utilize insulin to process ingested sugar. In addition to medication and regular exercise, incorporating certain foods into your diet can help you more effectively manage your condition.

Considerations

The rule of thumb for the diabetic diet is that the best foods will be those that are low in sugar. This also includes foods that are low in carbohydrates, because carbohydrate compounds are created from simple sugars.

Lean Proteins

Some of the best foods for diabetes are lean proteins, such as chicken, eggs and beef, because they provide a substantial amount of nutrients with virtually no sugar content.

Vegetables

Nonstarchy vegetables, such as peppers, onions, lettuce and spinach, are also excellent food choices for a diabetic because of their limited amount of carbohydrates.

Dairy Products

Plain and low-fat dairy products, such as plain yogurt, skim milk and some light cheeses, are great food options for diabetics. However, dairy products that contain fruit or sugar substitute should be avoided.

Nonalcoholic Foods

It is important to avoid foods cooked or baked with alcohol, such as wine sauce or rum cake, because alcohol is almost 100 percent sugar.