8 FOODS TO MANAGE DIABETES

8 FOODS TO MANAGE DIABETES

Neha Ghosh | March 15, 2012

Diabetes as a disease is becoming more and more common in India specially the urban cities.  Although there are no sure shot ways to avoid getting the disease but with the right food it can surely be kept under a strict control. 

“A recent study revealed that around 80 million people in India are suffering from diabetes. What is even more alarming is that the average age of getting diabetes had dropped by 50 years to 38 years which is in turn causing millions of deaths every year! No wonder that it is called the silent killer”.

Types of Diabetes

It’s a common knowledge that there are 2 kinds of diabetes- Type I and Type II. Type 1 is usually triggered off in childhood and is caused when the pancreas don’t produce enough insulin.  On the other hand Type II usually occurs in adult hood and is explained by the body’s inability to utilize the produced insulin.

Control With Food Intake

 Anyone who is suffering from diabetes knows how important it is control what one eats. What you eat, when you eat and how much you eat can have a mammoth impact on the sugar level and in most cases of bad eating will send the blood sugar level skyrocketing- or make it dip. Whether you like it or not diet and diabetes go hand in hand.

Fortunately, there are  8 specific food items which if taken regularly will not only help manage diabetes but will also help you stay active and fit.

1.     Eat a lot of fibre rich fruits such as papaya, pear, orange, apple with skin, jamunsand strawberries. Also include in your list dried fruits such as apricots and raisins as they help regulate the blood sugar level.

2.     Instead of using regular salt in your food, choose rock salt as they have nutrient value and less artificial sodium.It’s a little known fact but all members of the onion family are excellent in regulating blood sugar levels so use them freely in all the dishes. They include garlic, leeks and onions. You can also eat them raw the first thing in the morning.

3.     Fenugreek or methi is a lifesaver for anyone suffering from the disease. It can be used as a spice and also an herb and consuming it daily will ensure that blood sugar remains in check.

4.      It’s time to start increasing the dose of Garlic! Why? Because garlic contains favonoids and allicin which help to fight the anti insulin-inactivating agents thus helping the liver to stay active.Make best friends with broccoli! This greener brother of Indian cauliflower is filled with antioxidants which the keeps the sugar level in grip.

5.     Bitter gourd or karela juice is a excellent drink handle diabetes. One glass of juice everyday will ensure that the blood level stays down and it also improves digestion.

6.     To ensure that sugar in the blood neither sky rockets nor plummets choose the option of nonfat or reduced-fat dairy products such as cottage cheeses and dahi.

7.     Avoid aerated drinks and stick to natural drinks like fresh juice and water

8.     Lastly, to ensure that your sugar level never plummets or hits the ceiling, eat small meals every 2-3 hours. This will keep the energy levels high and you up and running.

There you go. The above of diabetes friendly food should be helpful to ensure that diabetes as a disease never comes in the way of you leading a healthy, active and normal lifestyle.