Diabetic Superfoods
If you have diabetes, you know how important how much and what type of carbohydrate foods you eat are for managing it. You know the balance between how much insulin is in your body and the carbohydrate you eat makes a difference in your blood glucose levels. But do you know what the power foods are for helping manage your diabetes? There's a wide variety but here's a few to try on for size.
1. Broccoli: This nonstarchy veggie makes just about every superfood list, and it's easy to see why. For starters, it has more vitamin C per 100 grams than an orange, plus it's high in the antioxidant beta-carotene, which the body uses to make vitamin A. This dark green vegetable's vitamin A power promotes healthy vision, teeth, bones, and skin. It is also rich in folate and fiber, all with minimal calories and carbs. It gets A+ from us! Try it out in our Chicken & Broccoli dish - a lightly floured breast of chicken sautéed with fresh broccoli and onions, and tossed in a light oriental sauce.
2. Carrots: While cooked carrots have the rich texture of starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, they are classified as non-starchy veggies because they don't contain a lot of carbohydrates. A 1-cup serving of raw carrots has about 5 grams of carbs, as does a 1/2-cup cooked serving. According to the American Diabetes Association, five baby carrots are considered a "free food" and do not need to be counted in a meal plan. Try 'em out as a side to our
Seared Salmon Cake!
3. Fish: Unlike many meats, seafood is low in unhealthy saturated fat and cholesterol, plus it's a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which lower the risk of arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), which can lead to sudden death. Omega-3s also decrease triglyceride levels, slow the growth rate of atherosclerosis plaque, lower blood pressure, and curb inflammation. We have plenty of fabulous seafood dishes like our Stuffed Tilapia with Lemon Sauce. Stuffed with a seafood stuffing and lemon sauce, it's a treat!
4. Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a much more nutritious option than many other starchy breakfast foods, like cereal. And because of its fiber content (2 grams fiber in a 1/2-cup serving of cooked oatmeal), it gives you more staying power than low-fiber options. The soluble fiber in oatmeal might also help blunt the rise in blood glucose by delaying stomach emptying and providing a physical barrier to digestive enzymes and absorptive surfaces, according to the professional publication Today’s Dietitian. Spice up your morning with our
Oatmeal and Mexican Salsa Omelet!
5. Red Onions: Red onions score higher in antioxidant power compared with their yellow and white cousins. Onions are also a good source of fiber, potassium, and folate -- all good for heart health. Onions' high flavonoid content also puts them on the map for cancer and cardiovascular research as well as other chronic diseases, such as asthma. You can get some onion-y goodness with our Chicken Fajitas! Grilled herbed chicken breast is served with sauteed juiliened multi-colored peppers and red onions plus two corn tortillas.
Having diabetes can be difficult but you can make managing it easier when you know the right kinds of foods and carbs to eat. And we can make it even easier with our Diabetic Diet Meal Packages, where we put together pre-planned meals for you (although you always have the option to change what you don't like), cook them fresh, then ship them to your home. Visit our menu to find even more meals containing these superfoods!