Good Foods for Diabetes

Diabetics require a special diet to help them control their blood glucose levels. Due to their body's inability to use insulin properly or to make enough insulin to process sugars, diabetics must eat foods that are low in sugar. Most type 1 diabetes patients require daily insulin shots, while most type 2 patients can control their diabetes with weight loss, diet, and exercise. Knowing what foods are best for you as a diabetic will help you to gain more control of the disorder.

High Fiber Foods

Eating high fiber foods is highly recommended to control diabetes. Good sources of soluble fiber such as oats, soy beans, peas, wheat and other whole grains have the added benefit of lowering LDL, or bad, cholesterol levels. This will help to reduce the risk of auxiliary diseases that you have a higher chance of getting as a diabetic, such as heart disease. Fiber will turn cholesterol to a gel and then flush it out of your digestive system. Substituting brown rice instead of white or whole wheat spaghetti noodles instead or white flour options can help to increase the amounts of fiber you eat.

Good Proteins

Some foods that are high in fiber can also do double duty as a good source of protein. Legumes like beans, peas and sprouts can be both a great source of fiber and protein. You can also snack on nuts such as peanuts, sunflower kernels, almonds and pistachios for good sources of healthy protein. Try to stick to the unsalted versions of these nuts however, so that you don't ingest the extra sodium. Low-fat or skim milk and cheese are also healthy ways to obtain protein and calcium.

Other sources of protein can be obtained from lean cuts of meat. Pork and beef are fine as long as they are lean such as versions that end in the suffix 'loin'. The best options for meat sources of protein, however, are skinless chicken, skinless turkey and fish. Fish should be consumed at least three times a week to reap the benefits it provides, such as omega-3 fatty acids and low saturated fats. Salmon is one of the highest-recommended fish to eat if you are looking for a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and protein.

Fruits and Vegetables

Although certain fruits can be high in natural sugars, they also have the benefit of providing a good source of vitamins and minerals. Some fruits such as blueberries, strawberries and apples are said to have some fat blocking benefits due to pectin that helps prevent fat absorption in cells. Apples are also high in fiber, while berries are high in free radical-eradicating antioxidants. Low glycemic fruits can be found on the glycemic index.

Non-starchy vegetables like celery, lettuce and spinach should make up 80 percent your daily servings of produce. Eating fruits and vegetables that vary in color daily will also provide different vitamin and mineral benefits.