Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is often a chronic disease, which develops when high levels of sugar are present in the blood. There are 3 distinct types of diabetes, the most common being Type 2. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, there are almost 30 million people living in the United States with type 2 diabetes. That’s about 10 percent of the U.S. population. In addition, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
Because of this epidemic, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to fight diabetes. In addition to proper medical care, type 2 diabetes can be treated naturally with the right diet plan and exercise regimen.
Foods to eat to fight diabetes
Certain foods, such as refined sugar, grains, alcohol and hydrogenated oils, negatively affect your blood sugar levels and cause inflammation. A new study even suggests a link between high-heat meat cooking and type 2 diabetes. Help fight diabetes naturally by adding the following foods to your diet.
- Fiber: Fiber-rich foods help slow down glucose absorption, regulate your blood sugar levels and support detoxification. Aim to eat at least 30 grams of fiber per day. Fiber comes in the form of vegetables, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds.
- Chromium: This nutrient is involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Foods high in chromium help improve the glucose tolerance factor in your body and naturally balance out blood glucose levels. Broccoli has the highest amounts of chromium. You can also find it in raw cheese, green beans, brewer’s yeast and grass-fed beef.
- Healthy fats: Fatty acids found in coconut and red palm oil help balance blood sugar levels, and they serve as the preferred fuel source for your body rather than sugar.
- Clean protein: Eating protein foods has a minimal effect on your blood glucose levels, and it can slow down the absorption of sugar. Some of the best sources of clean protein include wild-caught fish, which contains omega-3 fats that reduce inflammation, grass-fed beef, organic chicken, lentils, eggs and bone broth.
- Foods with a low glycemic load: The glycemic index of a food tells you about the blood glucose-raising potential of the food. If you are fighting diabetes, stick to low glycemic foods such as non-starchy vegetables, stone fruits and berries, nuts, seeds, avocados, coconut, organic meat, eggs, wild-caught fish and raw pastured dairy
