The official position of modern medicine is that diabetes cannot be cured. There are many ways to manage the symptoms of diabetes, however. This can be done in several ways, including medication, changes in lifestyle and a better diet. So even if you do have this particular illness, by adding certain superfoods to your diet can help you in many ways. Now let’s look at some of the more well known superfoods that have shown promise in regard to diabetes and treating this condition.
You may not think of beans as a superfood, but when you consider their nutritional makeup, they really do qualify. Among other things, beans contain healthy fats, fiber and protein. In certain studies it was proven that if people eat enough beans, they don’t require as much insulin to treat their diabetes. Beans, of course, are not just one food but a whole category that includes dozens of types. You can eat beans almost every day and still have lots of diversity in your diet. There are many beans that contain a great deal of fiber, and among these lentils are probably the best known. Lentil soup is familiar to everyone, and that’s just one example of how you can prepare this healthy bean. Then there are great northern beans, white beans, black beans and dozens of others as well. If you find it too time consuming to prepare beans from scratch, you can get them in cans. The complete avoidance of sugar containing substances is what diabetics should do – at least that’s what many people think! Despite this misguided belief, there are sweet foods that should be eaten in moderation every day by diabetics. Certain carbs and sweets, as long as they have a low glycemic index or G.I., are actually very good for you. This means limiting your intake of processed carbs such as white flour and sugar. Although some people do not like sweet potatoes, they are low on the glycemic index, making them an excellent choice for a snack. Despite the fact that they are sweet, these potatoes do not raise your blood sugar levels as high as you would think. They also have fiber in them which is healthy. If you want a food with lots of antioxidants like lipoic acid, another sweet food that is good for you are beets.
Certain types of seeds are highly nutritious and can be considered superfoods. Pumpkin seeds, for example, are high in healthy fats as well as iron and magnesium. They contain a substance called phytosterols, which help to lower LDL cholesterol. Flaxseeds are another healthy type of seed that is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. You might want to try a whole ground flaxseeds. You can also buy flaxseed oil.
A very healthy seed, Chia seeds, should also be consumed regularly due to the health benefits that they offer. These are rich in protein as well as fiber. It’s actually beneficial to simply sprinkle them on your cereal or yogurt when you eat it. Seeds are a great way to prevent diabetes from occurring, plus it can help with your current diabetic condition if you have already been diagnosed.
Nutrition can make a big difference when it comes to controlling diabetes. Diet, while crucial, is not the only element in your lifestyle that you must pay attention to. Cutting back on stress is essential, as is getting exercise on a site regular basis. You also want to closely monitor your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and the right diet can often help with these. Superfoods can definitely help to make it easier to live with diabetes.