Items for Diabetes (Beneficial)

· Cinnamon

Seasoning a high carb food with cinnamon can lessen
its impact on blood sugar levels. Cinnamon slows the rate at which
the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in sugar levels.
There is also evidence that patients with type 2 diabetes see an
improvement in their ability to respond to insulin after ingesting
cinnamon. A quantity of less than half a teaspoon per day of
cinnamon has shown reduction in blood sugar levels for patients
with type 2 diabetes. There has also been some demonstrated
positive effect on lipid levels as well.

· Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate with a high cocoa count – 70% to
85% - has been shown to be of benefit in reducing insulin resistance.
Just limit it to one or two squares, and make certain it is a high
quality chocolate.

· Tea

Black, White, Green and oolong teas have all been found
beneficial for blood sugar control. One study found that drinking six
cups of tea a day for eight weeks caused patients’ blood sugar to be
15% to 20% lower than before.

· Vinegar

There have been studies that tout the benefits of vinegar
in lowering blood sugar levels. Those experiments have involved
drinking a vinegar solution prior to a carbohydrate rich meal. It
might be more palatable to add a couple of teaspoons of vinegar to
one’s salad instead.

· Beans

A fiber rich food, beans have been found to lower the risk of

becoming diabetic when included regularly in the diet. They have

also been found to have had a beneficial impact on glycemic

response in type 2 patients.

· Chia Seeds

No longer the butt of jokes, these tiny seeds from
Southern Mexico and Central America are rich in precursors to
Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein. A study has found that this
nutritious snack helps diabetic patients control both sugar levels
and blood pressure.

· Blueberries

There is a published study that says that the bioactive
ingredients in blueberries increases sensitivity to insulin and may
reduce the risk of getting diabetes in at-risk individuals.

· Cherries

Cherries contain anthocyanins, a naturally occurring
chemical that can help lower blood sugar in individuals with
diabetes.