Dr. G’s “Diabetes-No-More” Diet
When you hear the words “anti-diabetes diet,” what do you think of?
Maybe you see yourself nibbling on carrots and lettuce like a rabbit.
Certainly no pasta… or cookies… or bread.
Well, I’m here to tell you that meal-time doesn’t have to be miserable for diabetics.
I’ve found that by ADDING certain tasty foods to your diet, you can control your blood sugar without having to give up everything you love.
Here are 5 of the best foods for blood sugar control.
- Dark chocolate. Sounds too good to be true? The studies would beg to differ! In one study, people who ate dark chocolate had improved insulin sensitivity. In another, eating dark chocolate was shown to reduce blood pressure and improve blood vessel function—helping stave off dangerous side effects of diabetes.
- Beans. Whatever your bean of choice — chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, etc. — beans are a one-stop-shop of health benefits. One study found that people who ate 8.5 ounces of beans a week had a 35% lower risk of developing diabetes. One reason for this is because the fiber content of beans helps prevent dangerous blood sugar spikes by slowing the release of sugar into your bloodstream.
- Cinnamon. This tasty spice is a diabetes-fighting powerhouse. Cinnamon increases insulin sensitivity — which is a fancy way to saying it helps insulin do a better job of delivering sugar into your cells (where it’s needed) and keeping it out of your blood. Studies also show that it decreases hemoglobin A1c, a measure of long-term blood sugar control.
- Raisins. Yes, believe it or not, eating about three ounces a day of this sweet treat can actually lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. That’s because raisins contain loads of a potent flavonoid called quercetin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Along those lines, studies show that people who eat lots of apples (which are also loaded with quercetin) are less likely to develop diabetes or to die from heart disease!
- Steak. One of nature’s perfect foods! Besides being loaded with protein, iron, and B vitamins, steak contains a compound called CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) — a critical compound for correcting impaired glucose metabolism. CLA also can also help you lose weight — another crucial factor in diabetes control. For the most benefit, make sure you choose grass-fed beef.
To a brighter day,
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
