If I Have Diabetes What Can I Eat - Diet for Diabetes

This Question keep appearing in my mail: If I have diabetes What can I eat?
In this post, we are going to show you what to do if you have diabetes.
The debut of diabetes is usually a difficult time and full of uncertainties, since in addition to psychological acceptance requires the change eating habits as well as lifestyle modification.

Diet for Diabetes

Diagnosis of diabetes is accompanied by new routines to obtain greater well-being and quality of life. The recommended diet for people with diabetes is not different from what the general population should follow, since it is about eating in a healthier way that is beneficial for health.

People with diabetes must maintain a balance between the food they eat, insulin, medications and physical exercise  to control glucose level.
We must know that diabetes is not like the communicable diseases which requires special management.

The aspects that must be taken into account to achieve an adequate control of diabetes are: maintaining a healthy diet and weight control. The adequate feeding guidelines depend on the conditions of each person, according to their weight, sex and physical activity.

Carbohydrates: Thus an energy source
Among all foods, the ones that generate the most doubts about their consumption are carbohydrates , which at the same time are the ones that most influence the glycemic values after meals.

However, an excessive amount of carbohydrates in the diet can cause too much blood glucose levels to rise. For this reason, the American Diabetes Association recommended a number of grams of carbohydrates consumed to set the maximum limit that can be ingested.

There are three main types of carbohydrates:

1. Starches
Foods with a higher starch content are:

Vegetables such as corn, beans, potatoes, etc.
Dried vegetables , lentils , peas and legumes of this type.
Grains such as oats , barley and rice due to their wheat flour composition.

2. Sugar
There are many types of sugar and some of them can be simple or fast-acting carbohydrates:

Natural sugars such as those that contain milk or fruit.
Sugars added during the preparation of food, such as syrup.

3. Fiber
Fiber is extracted from foods derived from plants and contributes to better digestive health.

Fruits and vegetables with edible skin (Apples)
Whole grains such as noodles, cereals and whole wheat bread.
Nuts : Nuts, peanuts, almonds, etc. They are very healthy as long as they are consumed in moderation and raw.
Foods with protein
There is a wide variety of foods that contain protein such as meat, soy products, cheese, etc. They are characterized by the amount of saturated fat  they contain.


The best alternatives of products with proteins, low caloric content and saturated fats are:

Dried vegetables and legumes
Legumes, peas and dry beans are a great source of protein and fiber, so the American Diabetes Association recommends including them several times a week in the diet. Among the great variety that make up this group of foods we can choose between: beans , lentils , dried peas and soy products that "imitate" meat as hamburgers.

Fish, seafood and meats
Among the most recommended fish and seafood are tuna, salmon, sardines, clams, lobsters, shrimp ... It is advisable to eat poultry such as chicken and turkey without skin . In the case of red meat or lean meat , it is preferable to buy it fresh cut and unprocessed, such as a hip steak or lean meat.

Foods such as egg whites, low-fat cottage cheese and tofu are also great sources of protein.

Nutritional recommendations for diabetes patients:

In the Diabetes Solutions library you can find informative resources and a brochure with everything you need to know about eating in people with diabetes. In it we find the following recommendations:

Eat several times a day. It is very important to start the day with a  healthy breakfast  and provide the necessary energy to face the day.
Restrict fast-absorbing sugars (fruit juices, sweets, pastries, etc.)
Consume foods with slow-absorbing carbohydrates , since they produce a smoother elevation of blood glucose. Among these carbohydrates are pulses, pasta, potatoes. It is also advisable to consume foods rich in fiber such as vegetables.
Reduce fat and limit foods of animal origin . It is important to remember that a diet high in fat may increase the risk of heart disease . The important thing is to find a balance, since a small amount of fats in each meal makes it more tasty and helps control hunger. Choose monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil and avocado.

• Avoid excessive consumption of eggs.
• Take into account the type of drinks that are ingested and if they are sweetened. In addition, the consumption of alcohol should be moderate .
• Avoid cooking with butter or sunflower oil. It is preferable to use olive oil.

How can I improve my diet as a diabetic?

To improve eating habits, a  balanced diet with different types of foods must be followed in each meal.

They have to include moderate amounts of protein with low fat content.
Consuming vegetables and salads is an excellent option, since they help to satisfy the appetite, they are very nutritious and increase the blood glucose level very little. Keep in mind that it is very likely that the dressings that you add to the salad are not as nutritious as this one. People also keep asking: Is sweet potato good for diabetes? The answer is YES!

What can diabetics eat list?

People with diabetes can eat the following without any limitations

• Beans
• Sweet Potatoes:
• Cinnamon
• Salmon
• Healthy fats
• Avocado
• Apple
• Oats
• Pasta (try whole wheat)
• Dried Fruits
• Seeds (sunflower, flax)
• Unsalted Nuts

What foods should diabetics not eat?

It's important to avoid the foods listed below if you have diabetes: 

• Roasted snack foods such as puff pastry, white rice and potatoes
• Canned fruits, such as fig and peach in syrup, jams
• Salty popcorn
• Pork
• sweets and jellies
• Sweeteners with aspartame, such as Zero lime
• Cottage cheese, cream cheese
• Juices and diet soda
• Greek Yogurt
• Alcoholic drinks, processed juices and soft drinks
• Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.
• White Bread, Pasta and Rice. 
• Sweetened Breakfast Cereals.
• Flavored Coffee Drinks. 
• Dried Fruit.

Can diabetic patients eat honey?

Do not forget that diabetes and honey are compatible only when there is control of the quality and quantity of use of this sweetness of the bee. Honey has the following sugars in its chemical composition:
Fructose: 40%
Sucrose: 5%
Glucose: 40%
The carbohydrates contained in this product are contraindicated in many of the diets that are prescribed for people with diabetes. Honey and diabetes can be "friends" but only under supervision. Monitor your health carefully and control your blood sugar levels in the early days of consumption of this natural sweetness.

Is Bananas good for diabetics?

Bananas rich in fibre and potassium. The fibre helps in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases as well as both the prevention and controlling obesity. For these two reasons among many others, bananas could be included in our list of fruits for diabetics.
It's just a misconception that for a long time we've been keeping the diabetics off the fruit. The truth is that bananas are absolutely safe for diabetics when they consume it in moderation and omit those too matured ones. Bananas are a healthy fruit, even for people with diabetes but, as the carbohydrate content and glycemic index of overripe bananas can cause significant spikes in blood sugar, many people end up believing that fruit consumption can aggravate their condition. However, consuming less than ripe bananas and even small portions throughout the day is really a good choice, since it does not affect a person's blood sugar level,

Can you eat chicken if you have diabetes?

The chicken plays an important role in the feeding of these patients, it is a health protective food due to the quantity and quality of nutrients provided, necessary in all stages of life.
In adult diabetics, the unsaturated fats present in chicken meat help protect heart health, a very important aspect of a food for these ages. This type of fats are necessary to prioritize in the case of diabetics with hypertension or high cholesterol. It supplies essential fats such as linoleic acid, essential for forming the components of cell membranes and the normal function of the skin.
Especially chicken thighs help fight diabetes, because they have a high zinc content. Do not forget to cook it without skin and roast or baked, it is not recommended to eat it fried.

What fruits diabetics should avoid?

• Grapes
• Cherries
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Fruit juice
• Dried fruit
• Overripe Banana

which fruits are good for diabetes?

From the above discussion, almost fruits are good for diabetics depending on the quantity, nature and the type of the fruit the person is eating. It is very importnat to stay away from the overripe fruits.

Can you eat pizza if you have diabetes?

Pizza crust usually includes a crust made from white flour, a refined carbohydrate. To avoid causing sudden spikes in your blood sugar levels, limit the amount of pizza you eat at any given time. Order crispy pizza and opt for whole wheat pizza dough when available. Your choice of availability also proves important in the management of diabetes. Ask for a pizza with light cheese. It is also necessary to control your weight and cholesterol to control the symptoms of diabetes. If you want a meat topping, chicken makes a better choice than pepperoni. And if you add a lot of vegetables - tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, green peppers, Spinach - these complex carbohydrates will help balance the refined carbohydrates in the pizza dough. The glycemic index, a system that classifies foods based on their effect on blood sugar, provides a tool to keep your pizza as diabetes as possible. In conclusion, pizza and diabetes is not a bad idea.

What can Diabetics Eat for Breakfast?

In the mornings, you have to eat cereals with high fiber content, accompanied by fruit and skim milk, or you can consume natural yogurt, so it can provide calcium, protein, fiber and potassium to your body so is very important diabetes breakfast recipes contain that.
Fruits are one of the best foods to eat at a breakfast, among these the most indicated are berries. It is recommended that you consume protein-rich foods so that you can stay full longer.
Fruits or vegetables are excellent and you can add low-fat milk and cereals to them. You can also eat eggs, so you can start the day with enough energy, they are also a good source of animal protein.
Cheese consumption can provide you with good amounts of calcium and protein, which are essential for a good breakfast for diabetics.