ANTI-DIABETES FOODS

Many conventional diabetes diets rely  on meat or grains as the major calorie source. However, these strategies have serious drawbacks. High-nutrient, low glycemic load (GL) foods are the optimal foods for diabetics, and these foods also help to prevent diabetes in the first place:

1) Leafy Greens and other Non-starchy Vegetables:

Green and non-starchy vegetables have almost nonexistent effects on  blood glucose, and are packed with fiber and phytochemicals. A recent  meta-analysis found that greater leafy green vegetable intake was  associated with a 14% decrease in risk of type 2 diabetes.2 One study reported that each daily serving of leafy greens produces a 9% decrease in risk.3 Greens and other non-starchy vegetables like mushrooms, onions, garlic, eggplant, peppers, etc. are essential components of an  anti-diabetes (or diabetes reversal) diet.

2) Beans:

Beans, lentils, and other legumes are the ideal carbohydrate source. Beans are low in GL due to their moderate protein and abundant fiber and resistant starch, carbohydrates that are notbroken 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.4 Accordingly, bean and legume consumption is associated with reduced risk of both diabetes and colon cancer.5,6

3) Nuts and Seeds:

Nuts are low in GL, promote weight loss, and have anti-inflammatory effects that may prevent the development of insulin resistance.7,8 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  7%.9-11

4) 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.3 For those who are already diabetic, I recommend sticking to low sugar  fruits like berries, kiwi, oranges, and melon to minimize glycemic  effects.

This Approach Works:

In a recent study on type 2 diabetics following this diet, we found that  62% of the participants reached normal (nondiabetic) HbA1C levels within seven months, and the average number of medications required dropped  from four to one.12 A diet of vegetables, nuts,
seeds, beans, and fresh fruit can prevent  and even reverse diabetes while promoting long-term health.

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