5 Best Types of Food to Prevent Diabetes

The devastating complications and premature deaths associated with diabetes can be prevented. The primary cause of the parallel increases in obesity and diabetes is the nutrient-depleted American diet.

For diabetics and pre-diabetics especially, new research proves what moms having been telling their children through the ages, “eat your veggies, they’re good for you.”

See how to eat to prevent diabetes and how to eat if you have diabetes.

Green Vegetables

Nutrient-dense green vegetables – leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and other green vegetables – are the most important foods to focus on for diabetes prevention and reversal.

Higher green vegetable consumption is associated with lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and among diabetics, higher green vegetable intake is associated with lower HbA1c levels.

A recent meta-analysis found that greater leafy green intake was associated with a 14% decrease in risk of type 2 diabetes.

One study reported that each daily serving of leafy greens produces a 9% decrease in risk.

Non-Starchy Vegetables

Non-green, non-starchy vegetables like mushrooms, onions, garlic, eggplant, peppers, etc. are essential components of a diabetes prevention (or diabetes reversal) diet.

These foods have almost nonexistent effects on blood glucose and are packed with fiber and phytochemicals.

Beans

Beans, lentils, and other legumes are the ideal carbohydrate source.

Beans are low in glycemic load due to their moderate protein and abundant fiber and resistant starch, carbohydrates that are not broken down in the small intestine.

This reduces the amount of calories that can be absorbed from beans; plus, resistant starch is fermented by bacteria in the colon, forming products that protect against colon cancer.

Accordingly, bean and legume consumption is associated with reduced risk of both diabetes and colon cancer.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts are low in glycemic load, promote weight loss, and have anti-inflammatory effects that may prevent the development of insulin resistance.

The Nurses’ Health Study found a 27% reduced risk of diabetes in nurses who ate five or more servings of nuts per week.

Among nurses who already had diabetes, this same quantity reduced the risk of heart disease by 47%.

Fresh Fruits

Fruits are rich in fiber and antioxidants, and are a nutrient-dense choice for satisfying sweet cravings.

Eating three servings of fresh fruit each day is associated with an 18% decrease in risk of diabetes.5

For those who are already diabetic, I recommend sticking to low sugar fruits like berries, kiwi, oranges, and melon to minimize glycemic effects.

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