Energy Foods for Diabetics

As you must be aware, diabetes is a condition where the blood sugar level of a person is abnormally high, and needs to be controlled in order to prevent severe health conditions. Therefore, diet plays a significant role in controlling diabetes by maintaining the blood sugar at proper levels. When looking for energy foods for diabetics, it is essential to take several things into consideration like limiting the intake of refined carbohydrates, sugar, etc. If you are wondering what foods are safe to consume, and which help in gaining energy for diabetics, then take a look at the following food list.

List of Energy Foods for Diabetics

Good diabetic foods are those that do not affect the blood sugar levels; but help in maintaining it at proper levels. Similarly, these foodstuff should have a low glycemic index (GI) value. Carbohydrates and meat are considered as rich sources of energy but these foods can raise blood glucose levels. But there are several other foods that are considered as energy foods for diabetics as they help in providing energy. They include:

• Whole Grain Products: Whole grain foods are safe to consume for diabetics. These contain complex carbohydrates that are slowly absorbed in the diet and do not lead to increased blood sugar. They do not contain fat and hence, can be safely included in the diet. Whole grain pasta, bread, oats, corn, wheat cereal, are whole grain energy foods for diabetics. However, it should be noted that carbohydrates should be eaten in moderation, or it can affect the blood sugar level.
• Pulses and Beans: Pulses, beans and peas are also considered as the best foods for diabetics as they contain low GI index and contain nearly all other essential nutrients. You should include foods that give you energy like lentils, black beans, peas, pinto beans, red beans, in your daily diet as it helps in gaining energy as well as essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, etc.

• Green Leafy Vegetables: Vegetables are also excellent foods for energy and the green leafy ones also help in providing other required nutrients. Collard, beet and turnip greens, asparagus, spinach, kale and broccoli, contain high amounts of fiber and less amounts of fat and hence, these foods are included in the diabetic food list. Green vegetables should be cooked without salt as they already contain good amounts of sodium.

• Seafood: As you must be aware proteins are also essential for providing energy to the body and hence, one should include good sources of proteins in a diabetic diet. Fish and other sea foods (lentils and beans also) are excellent sources of protein, and do not contain fat at all. Therefore, fish like salmon, trout, tuna, halibut, etc. should also be included in diabetic diet food list.

Some More Energy Foods for Diabetics

Apart from the aforementioned high energy foods, there are several other foods that provide energy and can be consumed by people suffering from diabetes. The following is a list of foods for diabetics to eat in order to gain energy.

• Mollusks
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Avocados
• Blueberries
• Citrus fruits
• Brown rice
• Carrots
• Lean meats
• Milk
• Fat free diary products

As a note of caution, one should remember that in case of diabetes, changes in the diet should only be done after consulting a doctor. Take care!