Diabetes is far too serious a disease to be as common as a disease as it is. It devastates the body and slowly cripples your body over time, if you don’t maintain strict vigilance over your lifestyle and diet. It affects your entire and the worse cases nearly always result in death.
The American Diabetes Association reported that in 2012, over 29 million Americans suffered from diabetes, which was about 9 percent of the population at the time. That is no small figure and it appears that the numbers will only rise. Roughly two million people a year are diagnosed with the disease in America. It is seventh in the list of leading causes for deaths in America. All these statistics showcase well the danger of diabetes.
While no thorough studies have been conducted, India is believed to have over 30 million diabetics. This puts it as the country with the most diabetes patients in the world, an incredibly worrying statistic.
All this goes to say that it is important for everyone to have their blood sugar levels under control. Long term negative lifestyle and diet habits will inevitably result in diabetes, and once the line has been crossed, there’s no going back. It’s a permanent restriction on multiple areas of your life, not to mention the financial burden that will come with being diagnosed with the disease.
To that end, here is a list of foods that will help keep your blood sugar levels in check:
- Foods With Lots of Fiber
High Fiber Foods are rich in many departments, and they’re a definite recommend regardless of whether you have diabetes or not, but diabetics benefit particularly from this miracle food. High fiber foods like oatmeal and brown rice bring down blood sugar levels and promote healthy bowel movements. They are rich in beta-glucans, which control the digestion process. You are also less likely to feel hungry after eating such foods because they have a satiating effect on the body, thus making it less likely you’ll go for a snack in between meal times.
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon is full of therapeutic properties and is an excellent recommendation for those suffering from diabetes. When you sprinkle cinnamon powder over your food, it curbs the effect the sugar on the food has on your body. It was also discovered in a study that cinnamon reduces the chances of a spike in blood sugar levels after a heavy meal, making it an ideal accompaniment. Furthermore, it is somewhat confidently believed to reduce the probability of type 2 diabetes from occurring.
- Nuts
Nuts are well known as healthy foods, but it has also been learned that they positively impact the blood sugar levels of the body. Some nuts aren’t quite as healthy, like the cashew nut which is high in calories, but most are chock full of healthy substances. Almonds and walnuts are two particularly healthy nuts that should be consumed. Almonds contain the vitamins B and E, multiple minerals and contain the kind of carbs that don’t affect your blood sugar levels very much. Almonds also lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol, which is a much welcome added bonus.
- Beans
Like oatmeal, beans are rich in fiber, and also provide a lot of protein. Protein is an important element of your diet, so putting some Rajma on your plate will help your blood sugar levels and satisfy your protein requirements. Beans are also relatively low in carbohydrates, so it works all round.
Keeping your blood sugar levels in check is important for both staving off diabetes and for your heart. The advantages affect many areas of the body. It is vital in preventing future complication and will greatly add to your lifespan. You can’t afford to slack off, every meal counts. Put the ingredients above into your daily diet and your body will be much happier for it.