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1. Brown Rice: It is unpolished and
has its germ and bran layers intact.It is rich
in B -Complex
vitamins that regulate energy production in the
body. The magnesium content in the rice regulates
insulin secretion and uptake by cells.
2. Basil: Basil leaves contain
antioxidants that relieve oxidative stress; it’s this stress
that compounds problems in
diabetics. Basil helps lower triglycerides and the
bad cholesterol.
3. Green Tea: This tea is unfermented and hence has
high polyphenol content, which help in a
controlled release of blood sugars.
4. Fish Oil: Fish oils are known for their
omega-3-fatty acid content, which has the ability
to correct the functioning of pancreas thus
helping in insulin production and uptake. Vitamin
D present in fish oils also helps in diabetes by
improving immunity. Fish oils(particularly tuna,
sardines & mackerel)help in better control of
glucose & lipid metabolism.
5. Jambul: A glucoside present
in the seeds of this Indian plum prevents
conversion
of starch to
sugar, making Jambul(also called java plum, indian
blackberry) a special fruit for diabetics.
6. Drumstick leaves: The fibre content in the leaves
increases satiety and slows the breakdown of food,
thereby preventing the conversion of starch to
sugar.
7. Cinnamon: The bark-spice directly helps lower
blood sugar, according to study published by
American Diabetes Association, including 1g
cinnamon in the diet for a month lowers the blood
sugar levels.
8. Olive Oil: The type of fat used
in a recipe is important because of the risk of
heart disease diabetics face. Olive oil is rich in
Monosaturated fatty acids, which are
heart-friendly. These fatty
acids do not allow the bad
cholesterol(LDL) to clog the heart valves, thus reducing
the risk of heart disease which is in turn a major
complication of
diabetes.