Diabetics is a disease in which the body has a blood sugar level of 126 milligrams/deciliter or more. And food is an important factor that directly affects blood sugar levels. Patients must therefore pay attention to the food they eat so that their blood sugar level does not rise too high, causing abnormal blood vessels and body systems, leading to complications such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic leg disease, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, etc. Foods that diabetic patients can eat should be foods that cause blood sugar levels to rise slowly and steadily, are high in fiber, and have complete nutritional value, ทางเข้า https://ufabet999.app allowing them to feel full for a long time and not feel hungry often, requiring snacks between meals or eating late at night.
Foods that people with diabetes can eat
Foods that diabetics can eat in appropriate amounts without causing their blood sugar levels to spike to the point of risking high blood sugar levels above the target range may include the following:
Carbohydrate foods
Carbohydrates are starchy nutrients that are the body’s main source of energy. They are converted to sugar or glucose and nourish cells throughout the body. Carbohydrates that are suitable for diabetics should be unrefined carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates that are high in dietary fiber and take longer to digest and are absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly than refined carbohydrates. They may also help control blood sugar levels.
Examples of carbohydrate foods suitable for diabetics
- brown rice
- Brown rice
- Oatmeal
- Corn, barley
- millet
- Quinoa
Vegetable and fruit dishes
Vegetables and fruits are foods that contain many nutrients, including minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, as well as various phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They are also high in dietary fiber, making them suitable for people with diabetes. Therefore, you should choose to eat fresh vegetables and fruits that have a low glycemic index (GI), which will be absorbed into the body and converted to blood sugar more slowly and steadily than types with a high glycemic index or canned vegetables and fruits.
Examples of vegetables and fruits that are suitable for diabetics
- Non-starchy vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and bok choy.
- Fruits with a low glycemic index, such as grapefruit, raw bananas, raw mangoes, oranges, and apples.
- Fruits with a medium glycemic index, such as bananas and pineapples
Protein foods
Diabetic patients should eat a variety of protein foods in the same quantities as other people. However, doctors may advise patients who have complications such as chronic kidney disease after having diabetes for many years to limit this type of food. This is because consuming too much protein can increase pressure within the kidneys and may cause the kidneys to work harder to filter waste. This can damage the kidney tissue and make the symptoms worse.
Examples of protein foods suitable for diabetic patients
- Lean meats such as chicken breast and skinless pork
- Fish such as mackerel, snakehead fish, tilapia, salmon, tuna
- egg
- Cow’s milk and dairy products such as cow’s milk, low-fat yogurt
- Legumes such as yardlong beans, winged beans, red beans, and soybeans
Fatty foods
Diabetic patients should focus on unsaturated fats, which are good fats that are beneficial to health, such as helping to reduce bad fats or bad cholesterol (Low density lipoprotein or LDL) in the bloodstream, which is a risk factor for heart and blood vessel disease and stroke.
Examples of fatty foods suitable for diabetics
Monounsaturated fat
- Avocado
- Legumes such as almonds, cashews, pecans, peanuts
- Vegetable oils, such as low-sodium olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, canola oil
Polyunsaturated fats, which consist of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are beneficial for heart health, reduce blood platelet aggregation, and help in the functioning of the nervous system and brain. They are essential fats for the body and must be obtained from external sources; the body cannot create them on its own.
- Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish such as swai, snakehead fish, white pomfret, red snapper, salmon, as well as canola oil, flax seeds, flaxseed oil, chia seeds, and walnuts.
- Sources of omega-6 fatty acids include canola oil, eggs, sunflower seeds, tofu, flax seeds, and flaxseed oil.