Food plans for diabetics vary, depending on allowed individual sugar and carbohydrate content. In general, however, all persons with diabetes should eat, or avoid, the same foods.
Avoid Foods Containing Sugar and Most Artificial Sweeteners
This includes so-called “sugar-free” foods enhanced with artificial sweeteners.
The Most Sugary Foods to Avoid
Sweets and Chocolates, Including “Sugar-Free” Types
These are not good foods for the diabetic, as they contain sugar and artificial sweeteners. Diabetics may eat Continental dark chocolate, with 70% or more cocoa solids, once a week.
Foods Containing Significant Proportions of Ingredients Ending in -ose or -ol
These ingredients are usually sugars. One notable exception is cellulose, which is a form of dietary fiber.
Grains and Foods Made from Grain Products
These include corn, rice, pasta, breads, cakes, tarts, breakfast cereals, and biscuits.
Starchy vegetables
Particularly avoid parsnips and potatoes. Limit carrots, beans (except runner beans), peas, and other starches. Be careful with packets of mixed vegetables.
Limit Certain Dairy Products
Limit milk to small quantities. Also limit cottage cheese, and sweetened or low-fat yogurts.
Limit Commercially Packaged Foods
These processed foods include frozen dinners, especially those marked “lean” or “light”, and snack foods or fast foods.
Fruit Juices
Choose fresh fruit instead, because it is lower in carbohydrates. For the fruit juice flavor, add a touch of fruit juice to water.
Healthy Food for Diabetics
This list of diabetic foods contains the best foods for diabetics to eat. All foods listed here are especially for Diabetes Type 2.
All Meat
Just when you were wondering, “What food can diabetics eat?” you find meat to be tasty answer. Bacon, pork, lamb, beef, and other meats are all foods suitable for diabetic people. Include organ meats, such as liver or kidney. These contain the widest range of vitamins and minerals. For example, liver has four times as much Vitamin C as apples and pears, weight for weight.
All Poultry
Diet food for diabetics includes tasty treats like chicken with the skin, goose, duck, turkey, etc.
Continental Sausage
Be careful of British sausage, however.
All Animal and Meat Fats
Good foods for diabetics contain fat and are low in carbohydrates.
All Nuts in Controlled Quantities (Except Peanuts)
Condiments
Fish and Seafood
Seafood is some of the best food for diabetics.
Eggs
All Cheeses
Aside from cottage cheese, include cheeses in a diet for diabetics.
Butter and Cream
Plain, Natural Yogurt
Vegetables and Fruits
Carbohydrate Lists for Fruits and Vegetables
The following are fruit and vegetable samples from the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 12.
Fruit Quantities Containing 10 Grams of Carbohydrates
75g/3oz
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Kiwi fruit
- Mangoes
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Plums
100g/4oz
- Apricots
- Blackberries
- Cranberries
- Lemons (peeled)
- Limes
- Nectarine
- Oranges
- Papaya (Pawpaw)
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Tangerines
150g/6oz
- Coconut meat
- Grapefruit (white)
- Melon
- Gooseberries
- Raspberries
200g/8oz
- Avocados
- Rhubarbs
Quantities of Vegetables Containing 5 Grams of Carbohydrates
50g/2oz
- Carrots
- Celeriac
75g/3oz
- Leeks
- Squash (winter)
100g/4oz
- Asparagus
- Bean sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Chives
- Green beans
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peppers (sweet)
- Pumpkin
- Tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- Turnips
200g/8oz
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
- Marrow
- Okra
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Zucchini
