What to Eat When you have Diabetes?
There are numbers of food options when someone is suffering from Diabetes mellitus. You should add low glycemic index foods in your diet which have a low amount of sugar content in it. Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it’s important to make healthier food choices. We have here mentioned some food items which are helpful during diabetes and manages the level.
1. All Green Leafy Vegetables
All the green vegetable like kale Spinach, beans, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, and capsicum have very good content of vitamins especially vitamin C. you should always choose low or moderate glycemic index vegetables. The leafy vegetable also contains antioxidant lutein and zeaxanthin. Green vegetables help to protect your eyes from muscular degeneration during diabetes. The above vegetables have a low glycemic index and that’s why they help to lower the blood glucose level. The nitrates rich foods such as beets are the best food for type-2 diabetic patients because it lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients.
- It is better to consume steamed vegetables rather than proper cooked
- You can also make fresh juice of all green leafy vegetables.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has very good herbal properties. It helps to reduce the type 2 diabetes in patients by lowering the blood glucose level. Cinnamon can also improve the insulin sensitivity in the body. Most of the studies show that Cinnamon lowers the cholesterol level by 24% and blood sugar level by 18% in the human body. It contains chemicals such as cumic, eugenol, safrole, borneol, and linalool etc. it has been used in Ayurveda for many years for the treatment of diabetes. The medicinal properties of cinnamon in Ayurveda: pungent, bitter and sweet in taste, light to digest, hot in potency, and balance the vata and Kapha dosha in the diabetic patient.
- Take one tablespoon of cinnamon powder and add some honey to it
- Take it every day.
- You can also add this ingredient in your regular diet, drinks, and tea.
3. Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd or bitter melon scientifically known as Momordica charantia. It is a well-known Indian vegetable which is very good for diabetic patients and also for other human disorders. It contains three anti-diabetic compounds which prevent the high blood sugar level in the body. The vicine and polypeptide which has a similar property to reduce the raised sugar level. As per the research on bitter melon shows that it has very high antioxidant content which is active against most of the tumor cells. According to Ayurveda the medicinal properties of bitter melons: it is bitter and pungent in taste, light and dry in qualities after digestion undergoes pungent taste, hot in potency and helps to overcome the vitiated Kapha and pitta dosha.
- The juice of bitter melon about 20-25 ml helps to reduce the sugar level in blood.
- It is used as similar to any vegetable.
- Boiled fruits of bitter melon are also consumed.
4. Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum)
It is also called as Methi in Hindi. Seeds of methi improve the digestion and very helpful in diabetes. The seed of methi are also rich in vitamins such as thiamin, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, B6 and vitamin A, C & K. Fenugreek contains minerals such as zinc, manganese, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and copper. It has been used for many years in Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes. Medicinal properties of fenugreek: it is pungent and bitter in taste, light to digest and oily in qualities, after digestion undergoes pungent taste, hot in potency and balances the Kapha and vata dosha.
- Soak 10 gram of methi seeds overnight and next day drink that water in the early morning with empty stomach.
- You can also eat the soaked seed in next morning.
5. Fruits
fruits such as apples, jamun, pears, melon, oranges, berries, papaya, and peaches are very good for diabetic patients. All these fruits have a very low glycemic index and have high fiber contents. Like vegetables, fruits contain carbs, vitamins, fibers, and lots of minerals. All these nutrients are very good for a diabetic patient. The seeds of Jamun contain Jamboline which prevent the conversion of starch into sugar. Jamun acts as an antioxidant which helps to improve the immunity and protect the body from oxidative damage. Berries, melon, oranges are the very good source of vitamin C.
- Make a juice of mix fruits and drink it every day.
- You can also add some Epsom salt to it for more flavor.
6. Nuts
Nuts such as Almond, Cashew, walnuts all have very high nutrients content. They are literally full of life. They are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Which are very good for your heart. Nuts reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the body and increase the good cholesterol in the body. Nuts reduce the risk of cardiac disorder in a diabetic patient. Almonds are a rich source of calcium, cashews contain iron, magnesium and unsaturated fat such as oleic acid, and walnuts are rich in omega 3 fats, antioxidants, and phytosterols.
- Soak 5-7 almonds, 2-3 cashews, and 1 walnut overnight.
- Have them in the next morning with an empty stomach.
All the fruits, vegetable, nuts and other foods which are mentioned above are very beneficial for the diabetic patient. So you should try them for your better life.
Along with all the above mentioned natural remedies you can also add Neem juice, cucumber juice, and all citrus juices. Neem juice is one of best herbal treatment for the high blood sugar level in your body. Neem powder, neem capsules or even in any form it will heal your diabetic problem.